Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal relationship between physical activity and lung health in patients with cystic fibrosis

Exercise is beneficial for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) but long-term effects of physical activity on lung function evolution are unknown. We evaluated the longitudinal relationship between changes in habitual physical activity (HPA) and rate of decline in lung function in patients with CF. We tracked HPA using the Habitual Activity Estimation Scale, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and Stage I exercise tests in 212 patients with CF over a 9-year period. Adjusting for sex, baseline age and FEV1, mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa and CF-related diabetes, mean±sd FEV1 % predicted decreased by 1.63±0.08% per year (p<0.0001) while mean±sd HPA increased by 0.28±0.03 h·day−1 per year (p<0.0001) over the study period. A greater increase in HPA was associated with a slower rate of decline in FEV1 (r=0.19, p<0.0069). Dividing subjects into “high” and “low” activity (above or below the mean rate of change of activity, respectively), a steeper rate of FEV1 decline was observed for low (-1.90% per year) compared to high (-1.39% per year) (p=0.002). Increases in HPA are feasible despite progression of lung disease and are associated with a slower rate of decline in FEV1, highlighting the benefit of regular physical activity, and its positive impact on lung function in patients with CF. FEV1 declines at a lesser rate in patients with cystic fibrosis who increase their activity levels http://ow.ly/rETZc
Computing Full and Iceberg Datacubes Using Partitions ( Extented Abstract )

In this paper, we propose a sound approach and an algorithm for computing a condensed representation of either full or iceberg datacubes. A novel characterization of datacubes based on dimensional-measurable partitions is introduced. From such partitions, iceberg cuboids are achieved by using constrained product linearly in the number of tuples. Moreover, our datacube characterization provides a loss-less condensed representation specially suitable when considering the storage explosion problem and the I/O cost. We show that our algorithm Ccube turns out to an operational solution more efficient than competive proposals. It enforces a lecticwise and recursive traverse of the dimension set lattice and takes into account the critical problem of memory limitation. Our experimental results shows that Ccube is a promising candidate for scalable computation.
A Galactic Origin for the Local Ionized X-Ray Absorbers

Recent Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of distant quasars have shown strong local (z ~ 0) X-ray absorption lines from highly ionized gas, primarily He-like oxygen. The nature of these X-ray absorbers, i.e., whether they are part of the hot gas associated with the Milky Way or part of the intragroup medium in the Local Group, remains a puzzle due to the uncertainties in the distance. We present in this paper a survey of 20 AGNs with Chandra and XMM-Newton archival data. About 40% of the targets show local O VII He α absorption with column densities around 1016 cm-2; in particular, O VII absorption is present in all the high-quality spectra. We estimate that the sky covering fraction of this O VII-absorbing gas is at least 63%, at 90% confidence, and likely to be unity given enough high-quality spectra. On the basis of (1) the expected number of absorbers along sight lines toward distant AGNs, (2) joint analysis with X-ray emission measurements, and (3) mass estimation, we argue that the observed X-ray absorbers are part of the hot gas associated with our Galaxy. Future observations will significantly improve our understanding of the covering fraction and provide robust tests of this result.
Infinite factorial unbounded hidden Markov model for blind multiuser channel estimation

Bayesian nonparametric models allow solving estimation and detection problems with an unbounded number of degrees of freedom. In multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems we might not know the number of active users and the channel they face, and assuming maximal scenarios (maximum number of transmitters and maximum channel length) might degrade the receiver performance. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian nonparametric prior and its associated inference algorithm, which is able to detect an unbounded number of users with an unbounded channel length. This generative model provides the dispersive channel model for each user and a probabilistic estimate for each transmitted symbol in a fully blind manner, i.e., without the need of pilot (training) symbols.
Cooperative optimization for efficient financial time series forecasting

The highly dynamic nonlinear and volatile nature of stock market has remained a challenging issue for the researchers in mathematical economics as well as in financial engineering. Despite the existence of a number of statistical and soft computing methodologies for stock market forecasting, there is still need for an efficient and accurate forecasting model for this purpose. Although a wide range of nature inspired evolutionary algorithms have been developed and applied successfully in the domain of stock market forecasting, their performance may vary significantly from one stock market to another. Therefore selection of an algorithm involves an inherit risk associated with it. In this paper, instead of employing a single algorithm and investing the total time budget in it, we construct a cooperative algorithm framework, which takes two algorithms as its constituent algorithms. Particularly two population-based algorithms such as genetic algorithm (GA) and chemical reaction optimization (CRO) have been chosen as the constituent algorithms. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) architecture have been used as the forecasting model. The cooperative algorithm framework executes each constituent algorithm with a part of the entire computation time budget and encourages interaction between them, so that they can benefit from one other. The cooperative algorithms have evaluated on five fast growing real stock market data set consisting daily closing prices. Empirical results have shown the superiority of the cooperative algorithms over individuals in terms of prediction accuracies.
A low power implementation for the transmit path of a UWB transceiver

A low power transmit path for a multiband OFDM UWB transceiver is presented. It features wideband elliptic baseband filters, a VGA with dynamic range of 12dB, an upconversion mixer and an RF output stage with power of -7dBm (3.2-4.8GHz band). The transmit path including frequency synthesizer is realized in 0.25/spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS (70GHz f/sub t/) technology. Results show current consumption of 43mA (at 2.7V) for the complete transmit path.
Architectural Support for Mitigating DRAM Soft Errors in Large-Scale Supercomputers

Modern DRAM devices are built from high-density, low-voltage integrated circuits that are becoming increasingly susceptible to influences from external factors such as electrical noise, process variation, and natural radiation (particle-induced upsets). Errors resulting from these effects are referred to as “soft errors” since although they corrupt the state of a storage element, they generally do not cause any permanent damage to its underlying circuitry. The rate at which these events occur is referred to as the soft error rate (SER) and has been steadily increasing as transistor geometries shrink. In particular, largescale supercomputers, where high volumes of memory parts are utilized in a single system, must be designed to address and tolerate otherwise crippling SERs. The Cray BlackWidow large-scale multiprocessor is one such system where particular attention has been paid to mitigating the effects of soft errors in main memory. In this paper we describe several mechanisms used in the Cray BlackWidow memory system to combat soft errors and illustrate how, together, these mechanisms work to address a broad range of memory errors.
Targeted Delivery of Ubiquitin-Conjugated BH3 Peptide-Based Mcl-1 Inhibitors into Cancer Cells

BH3 peptides are key mediators of apoptosis and have served as the lead structures for the development of anticancer therapeutics. Previously, we reported the application of a simple cysteine-based side chain cross-linking chemistry to NoxaBH3 peptides that led to the generation of the cross-linked NoxaBH3 peptides with increased cell permeability and higher inhibitory activity against Mcl-1 (Muppidi, A., Doi, K., Edwardraja, S., Drake, E. J., Gulick, A. M., Wang, H.-G., Lin, Q. (2012) J. Am. Chem. Soc.134, 1473422920569). To deliver cross-linked NoxaBH3 peptides selectively into cancer cells for enhanced efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity, here we report the conjugation of the NoxaBH3 peptides with the extracellular ubiquitin, a recently identified endogenous ligand for CXCR4, a chemokine receptor overexpressed in cancer cells. The resulting ubiquitin-NoxaBH3 peptide conjugates showed increased inhibitory activity against Mcl-1 and selective killing of the CXCR4-expressing cancer cells. The successful delivery of the NoxaBH3 peptides by ubiquitin into cancer cells suggests that the ubiquitin/CXCR4 axis may serve as a general route for the targeted delivery of anticancer agents.
Some Useful ePUB3-based Contents Delivery Functions

Using the advanced internet technologies and cloud applications in recent years has not only provided more education opportunities outside traditional classrooms, but has also gained many attentions as a new theme for prospective learners to acquire knowledge in a more convenient way. In this new paradigm of the so called electronic learning (e-Learning), many efforts have been made to build web-/cloud-based learning systems that provide controllable processes of learning activities with desired curricular contents. From the learning perspective on education, this means that desired contents are delivered in a controlled process with designated ways for achieving an expected learning objective. For this need, this paper discusses such contents services by addressing the delivery ways of desired contents. For implementation, these contents delivery functions are constructed by using the standardized ePUB3 format for e-Book publications, and then presented in the referenced Readium reader for ePUB3.
Network Analysis of Protein Topology and Folding Kinetics

It is a challenging task to investigate the different influence of long-range and short-range interactions on two-state and three-state folding kinetics of protein. The networks of the 30 two-state proteins and 15 three-state proteins are constructed at three length scales: protein contact networks, long-range interaction networks and short-range interaction networks, using complex networks analysis. To uncover the relationship between structural properties and folding kinetics of the proteins, the correlations of protein network parameters with protein folding rate and topology parameters contact order are analyzed. The results show that protein contact networks and short-range interaction networks (for both two-state and three-state proteins) exhibit the dasiasmall-worldpsila property and long-range interaction networks indicate dasiascale-freepsila behavior. Our results further indicate that all protein contact networks and short-range interaction networks are assortative type. While some of long-range interaction networks are of assortative type, the others are of disassortative type. For two-state proteins, the clustering coefficients of short-range interaction networks show prominent correlation with folding rate and contact order. The assortativity coefficients of short-range interaction networks also show remarkable correlation with folding rate and contact order. Similar correlations exist in protein contact networks of three-state proteins. For two-state proteins, the correlation between contact order and folding rate is determined by the numbers of local contacts. Short-range interactions play a key role in determining the connecting trend among amino acids and they influence directly the folding rate of two-state proteins. For three-state proteins, the folding rate is determined by short-range and long-range interactions among residues together.
A self-cleaving DNA enzyme modified with amines, guanidines and imidazoles operates independently of divalent metal cations (M2+)

The selection of modified DNAzymes represents an important endeavor in expanding the chemical and catalytic properties of catalytic nucleic acids. Few examples of such exist and to date, there is no example where three different modified bases have been simultaneously incorporated for catalytic activity. Herein, dCTP, dATP and dUTP bearing, respectively, a cationic amine, an imidazole and a cationic guanidine, were enzymatically polymerized on a DNA template for the selection of a highly functionalized DNAzyme, called DNAzyme 9-86, that catalyzed (M2+)-independent self-cleavage under physiological conditions at a single ribo(cytosine)phosphodiester linkage with a rate constant of (0.134 ± 0.026) min−1. A pH rate profile analysis revealed pKa's of 7.4 and 8.1, consistent with both general acid and base catalysis. The presence of guanidinium cations permits cleavage at significantly higher temperatures than previously observed for DNAzymes with only amines and imidazoles. Qualitatively, DNAzyme 9-86 presents an unprecedented ensemble of synthetic functionalities while quantitatively it expresses one of the highest reported values for any self-cleaving nucleic acid when investigated under M2+-free conditions at 37°C.
Solar internal rotation rate and the latitudinal variation of the tachocline

A new set of accurately measured frequencies of solar oscillations is used to infer the rotation rate inside the Sun, as a function of radial distance as well as latitude. We have adopted a regularized least-squares technique with iterative refinement for both 1.5D inversion, using the splitting coefficients, and 2D inversion using individual m splittings. The inferred rotation rate agrees well with earlier estimates showing a shear layer just below the surface and another one around the base of the convection zone. The tachocline or the transition layer where the rotation rate changes from differential rotation in the convection zone to an almost latitudinally independent rotation rate in the radiative interior is studied in detail. No compelling evidence for any latitudinal variation in the position and width of the tachocline is found, although it appears that the tachocline probably shifts to a slightly larger radial distance at higher latitudes and possibly also becomes thicker. However, these variations are within the estimated errors and more accurate data would be needed to make a definitive statement about latitudinal variations.
Continuous positive airway pressure improves sleepiness but not calculated vascular risk in patients with minimally symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea: the MOSAIC randomised controlled trial

Background Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) improves sleepiness and reduces vascular risk, but such treatment for the more prevalent, minimally symptomatic disease is contentious. Methods This multicentre, randomised controlled, parallel, hospital-based trial across the UK and Canada, recruited 391 patients with confirmed OSA (oxygen desaturation index >7.5/h) but insufficient symptoms to warrant CPAP therapy. Patients were randomised to 6 months of auto-adjusting CPAP therapy, or standard care. Coprimary endpoints were change in Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) and predicted 5-year mortality using a cardiovascular risk score (components: age, sex, height, systolic blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, creatinine, left ventricular hypertrophy, previous myocardial infarction or stroke). Secondary endpoints included some of the individual components of the vascular risk score, objectively measured sleepiness and self-assessed health status. Results Of 391 patients randomised, 14 withdrew, 347 attended for their follow-up visit at 6 months within the predefined time window, of which 341 had complete ESS data (baseline mean 8.0, SD 4.3) and 310 had complete risk score data. 22% of patients in the CPAP group reported stopping treatment and overall median CPAP use was 2 : 39 h per night. CPAP significantly improved subjective daytime sleepiness (adjusted treatment effect on ESS −2.0 (95% CI −2.6 to −1.4), p<0.0001), objectively measured sleepiness and self-assessed health status. CPAP did not improve the 5-year calculated vascular risk or any of its components. Conclusions In patients with minimally symptomatic OSA, CPAP can reduce subjective and objective daytime sleepiness, and improve self-assessed health status, but does not appear to improve calculated vascular risk.
Evaluation and Application of the RD50 for Determining Acceptable Exposure Levels of Airborne Sensory Irritants for the General Public

Background The RD50 (exposure concentration producing a 50% respiratory rate decrease) test evaluates airborne chemicals for sensory irritation and has become an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard method. Past studies reported good correlations (R2) between RD50s and the occupational exposure limits, particularly threshold limit values (TLVs). Objective The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between RD50s and human sensory irritation responses in a quantitative manner, particularly for chemicals that produce burning sensation of the eyes, nose, or throat, based on lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) reported for human subjects. Methods We compared RD50s with LOAELs and acute reference exposure levels (RELs). RELs, developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, represent a level at which no adverse effects are anticipated after exposure. We collected RD50s from the published literature and evaluated them for consistency with ASTM procedures. We identified LOAELs for human irritation and found 25 chemicals with a corresponding RD50 in mice. Discussion We found the relationship between RD50s and LOAELs as log RD50 = 1.16 (log LOAEL) + 0.77 with an R2 value of 0.80. This strong correlation supports the use of the RD50 in establishing exposure limits for the public. We further identified 16 chemical irritants with both RD50s and corresponding acute RELs, and calculated the relationship as log RD50 = 0.71 (log REL) + 2.55 with an R2 value of 0.71. This relationship could be used to identify health protective values for the public to prevent respiratory or sensory irritation. Conclusion Consequently, we believe that the RD50 has benefits for use in setting protective levels for the health of both workers and the general population.
Multi-temporal SAR images change detection based on nonsubsampled contourlet transform

A novel change detection method for multi-temporal SAR images using nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) has been proposed. Firstly, we obtain the log-ratio map by comparing two co-registered SAR images with a ratio operator in a logarithmic scale. Secondly, the log-ratio map is decomposed into multiscale and multidirectional sub-images by NSCT, and the speckle noise in each sub-image is suppressed by scale correlation method. Finally, the changes in every sub-image are detected through a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector and the result map is derived according to an adaptive fusion strategy. Experimental results on simulated data and real airborne SAR imagery data both confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Towards Organizational Privacy Patterns

Privacy has been a hot topic and received a lot of discussion in recent years. European legislation contains strong privacy oriented regulations and rules which are poorly understood and comprehended by European businesses. Unfortunately courts do not have enough practice to bring the privacy abuses to justice. In addition to all this privacy enhancing technologies (PETs) that exist today are not enough to solve the contradicting requirements of informational systems resulting from business environments and privacy regulations. A large gap exists between privacy regulations on one hand and available privacy technologies on the other. We believe that this gap could and should be bridged by organizational privacy patterns (OPP). OPPs are abstractions of real world situations and problems that businesses run into. Organizational Privacy Patterns capture the problem, the context of the generic problem and the proven solutions to the problem. In this paper we present a first set of privacy organizational patterns.
An Experimental Study of Internal Control Judgments

The work of independent auditors involves two basic activities evidence collection and evidence evaluation. Substantial agreement exists concerning the types of evidence that should be collected in particular situations and the appropriate collection techniques. The evidence-evaluation activity, however, is less susceptible to codification. As a result, the auditing profession relies heavily upon "professional judgment" in evaluating audit evidence. For example, the AICPA has stated that "most of the independent auditor's work in formulating his opinion on financial statements consists of obtaining and examining evidential matter. The measure of the validity of such evidence for audit purposes lies in the judgment of the auditor. " 1 The importance of judgment in auditing is accepted almost without question; yet auditors' judgments are seldom subjected to systematic research. A typical rationale for this situation is the AICPA's statement that 'judgment is the most important factor in the making of any audit, but in many situations it is practically impossible to write out in specific language how the auditor applies judgment. " 2 The study reported in this paper was concerned with the evidence-evaluation function of independent auditing. One type of audit evidence was * Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin. This paper is based upon the author's doctoral dissertation; for the full report, see R. H. Ashton, Judgment Formation in the Evaluation of Internal Control: An Application of Brunswik's Lens Model (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 1973).
A new search for variable stars in the globular cluster NGC 6366

New CCD photometry of NGC 6366 has lead to the discovery of some variable stars. Two possible Anomalous Cepheids (or Pop II Cepheids), three long period variables, one SX Phe and one eclipsing binary have been found. Also, a list of 10 candidate variables is reported. The light curve of the RRab star, V1, has been decomposed into its Fourier harmonics, and the Fourier parameters were used to estimate the star’s metallicity and distance; [Fe/H] = 0:87 0:14 and d = 3:2 0:1 kpc. It is argued that V1 may not be a member of the cluster but rather a more distant object. If this is so, an upper limit for the distance to the cluster of 2:8 0:1 kpc can be estimated. The P L relationship for SX Phe stars and the identied modes in the newly discovered SX Phe variable, V6, allow yet another independent determination of the distance to the cluster, d = 2:7 0:1 kpc. The MV {[Fe/H] relationship for RR Lyrae stars is addressed and the case of V1 is discussed.
Projected Barzilai-Borwein Method with Infeasible Iterates for Nonnegative Least-Squares Image Deblurring

We present a non-monotonic gradient descent algorithm with infeasible iterates for the nonnegatively constrained least-squares deblurring of images. The skewness of the intensity values of the deblurred image is used to establish a criterion for when to enforce the nonnegativity constraints. The approach is observed on several test images to either perform comparably to or to outperform a non-monotonic gradient descent approach that does not use infeasible iterates, as well as the gradient projected conjugate gradients algorithm. Our approach is distinguished from the latter by lower memory requirements, making it suitable for use with large, three-dimensional images common in medical imaging.