Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formal verification of an array-based nonblocking queue

We describe an array-based nonblocking implementation of a concurrent bounded queue, due to Shann, Huang and Chen (2000), and explain how we detected errors in the algorithm while attempting a formal verification. We explain how we first corrected the errors, and then modified the algorithm to obtain nonblocking behaviour in the boundary cases. Both the corrected and modified versions of the algorithm were verified using the PVS theorem proven. We describe the verification of the modified algorithm, which subsumes the proof of the corrected version.
Free-Viewpoint TV

Free-viewpoint television (FTV) is an innovative visual media that enables us to view a three-dimensional (3-D) scene by freely changing our viewpoints. We proposed the concept of FTV and constructed the world? s first real-time system including the complete chain of operation from image capture to display. We also carried out the FTV on a single personal computer (PC) and a mobile player. FTV is based on the ray-space method that represents one ray in real space with one point in the ray-space. We have developed several types of ray capture systems and interfaces such as a 360° capture/ray-reproducing display. FTV is regarded as the ultimate 3DTV, since it can generate infinite number of views. Thus, FTV is the key to immersive communication. Regarding FTV as the most challenging 3-D media, the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) has been conducting its international standardization activities. This article reviews FTV and its related technologies.
Subjektiver Sozialstatus und gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität bei Erwachsenen in Deutschland: Ergebnisse der Allgemeinen Bevölkerungsumfrage der Sozialwissenschaften (ALLBUS 2010)

Background: The impact of subjective perception of social status on health has been analysed in international health research for several years. However, in Germany the empirical analysis of the relation between subjective social status (SSS) and health is still in the very early stages. This study investigates if health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in German adults is associated with SSS over and above conventional measures of social status. Methods: The results are based on the German General Social Survey (ALLBUS 2010), a representative cross-sectional survey of the adult resident population in Germany (n=2827). HRQoL was assessed with 4 items referring to self-rated health (SRH) and impairment of well-being due to bodily pain, depressiveness, and loneliness. SSS was measured with a 10-point scale where participants rated their status in society. The impact of SSS on HRQoL was analysed separately for men and women using logistic regression models adjusted for age, school education, net equivalent household income, and occupational position. Results: Poorer SRH, bodily pain, depressiveness, and loneliness occurred significantly more often in men and women with low SSS compared to those with higher SSS. After adjusting for age, education, income, and occupation, the effects of SSS on SRH and depressiveness remained significant in men and women (SRH: men: OR=4.76; 95% CI=2.52―8.99; women: OR=2.95; 95% CI=1.74―4.99; depressiveness: men: OR=2.86; 95% CI=1.60―5.10; women: OR=2.75; 95% CI=1.65―4.56). The effects of SSS on bodily pain and loneliness were observed only in women after adjustment for objective status indicators (OR=1.75; 95% CI=1.07―2.86 and OR=3.03; 95% CI=1.43―6.42, respectively). Conclusion: These findings indicate that self-perception of social disadvantage affects HRQoL in German adults independently and partly gender-specifically. Hence, complementary to objective status indicators the SSS offers additional potential for describing and explaining health inequalities.
18F-Mefway PET Imaging of Serotonin 1A Receptors in Humans: A Comparison with 18F-FCWAY

Introduction The purpose of this research is to evaluate the prospects for the use of 4-(trans-18F-fluoranylmethyl)-N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]-N-pyridin-2-ylcyclohexane-1-carboxamide (18F-Mefway) in comparison to 18F-trans-4-fluoro-N-2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide (18F-FCWAY) for the quantification of 5-HT1A receptors in human subjects. Method Five healthy male controls were included for two positron emission tomography (PET) studies: 18F-FCWAY PET after the pretreatment with 500 mg of disulfiram and two months later, 18F-Mefway PET without disulfiram. Regional time-activity curves (TACs) were extracted from nine cortical and subcortical regions in dynamic PET images. Using cerebellar cortex without vermis as reference tissue, in vivo kinetics for both radioligands were compared based on the distribution volume ratio (DVR) calculated by non-invasive Logan graphical analysis and area under the curve ratio of the TACs (AUC ratio). Result Although the pattern of regional uptakes in the 18F-Mefway PET was similar to that of the 18F-FCWAY PET (highest in the hippocampus and lowest in the cerebellar cortex), the amount of regional uptake in 18F-Mefway PET was almost half of that in 18F-FCWAY PET. The skull uptake in 18F-Mefway PET was only 25% of that in 18F-FCWAY PET with disulfiram pretreatment. The regional DVR values and AUC ratio values for 18F-Mefway were 17—40% lower than those of 18F-FCWAY. In contrast to a small overestimation of DVR values by AUC ratio values (< 10%) in 18F-FCWAY PET, the overestimation bias of AUC ratio values was much higher (up to 21%) in 18F-Mefway PET. Conclusion As 18F-Mefway showed lower DVR values and greater overestimation bias of AUC ratio values, 18F-Mefway may appear less favorable than 18F-FCWAY. However, in contrast to 18F-FCWAY, the resistance to in vivo defluorination of 18F-Mefway obviates the need for the use of a defluorination inhibitor. Thus, 18F-Mefway may be a good candidate PET radioligand for 5-HT1A receptor imaging in human.
Absence of the transcription factor Nfib delays the formation of the basilar pontine and other mossy fiber nuclei

Transcription factors of the Nuclear Factor I (Nfi) family are important for the development of specific neuronal and glial populations in the nervous system. One such population, the neurons of the basilar pontine nuclei, expresses high levels of Nfi proteins, and the pontine nuclei are greatly reduced in mice lacking a functional Nfib gene. Pontine neurons, along with other precerebellar neurons that populate the hindbrain, arise from precursors in the lower rhombic lip and migrate anteroventrally to reach their final location. Using immunohistochemistry, we find that NFI‐B expression is specific for mossy fiber populations of the precerebellar system. Analysis of the Nfib−/− hindbrain indicates that the development of the basilar pontine nuclei is delayed, with pontine neurons migrating 1–2 days later than in control animals, and that significantly fewer pontine neurons are produced. While the mossy fiber nuclei of the caudal medulla do form, they also exhibit a developmental delay. Nfia and Nfix null mice exhibit no apparent pontine phenotype, implying specificity in the action of NFI family members. Collectively, these data demonstrate that Nfib plays an important role in the generation of precerebellar mossy fiber neurons, and may do so at least in part by regulating neurogenesis. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:98–112, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Orange computing: Challenges and opportunities for affective signal processing

As the growth of economy and technology has become increasingly rapid, mental care is getting more important today. However, recent movements, such green technologies, place more emphasis on environmental issues but less on mental care. Therefore, this paper presents a newly emerging technology called orange computing for mental care applications. Orange computing refers to health, happiness, and physiopsychological care computing, which focuses on designing algorithms and systems for enhancing body and mind balance. The representative color for orange computing comes from a harmonic fusion of passion, love, and happiness. In order to demonstrate the main idea of orange computing, in this work we also discuss affective signal processing, one of the important topics in orange computing. Besides, a case study on the emotion speech recognition system for emotion care services is presented at the end of the paper. Experimental results show that the proposed system can enhance the accuracy rate by 4.44% on average. In contrast with the baselines, the proposed system can identify emotion speeches more precisely, subsequently demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of the system.
On Roth, Korth, and Silberschatz's extended algebra and calculus for nested relational databases

We discuss the issues encountered in the extended algebra and calculus languages for nested relations defined by Roth, Korth, and Silberschatz. [4]. Their equivalence proof between algebra and calculus fails because of the keying problems and the use of extended set operations. Extended set operations also have unintended side effects. Furthermore, their calculus seems to allow the generation of power sets, thus making it more powerful than their algebra.
On enlarging backward reachable sets via Zonotopic set membership

While a number of efficient methods have been proposed for approximating backward reachable sets, no synthesis method via backward reachable sets has been developed for estimating and enlarging the region of attraction (RA). This paper shows how to use backward reachable sets to enlarge the estimate of the RA of linear discrete-time systems, by using an optimal static feedback controller. Two controller design methods are provided: the first method enlarges the estimate of the RA via invariant sets, whose existence is ensured by zonotope containment; the second method provides the optimal control input by using Lyapunov stability and quadratic stabilization. The backward reachable set is represented by zonotopes which give a good compromise between accuracy and efficiency. The effectiveness of both methods is illustrated by a numerical example.
Integrating sensor networks in pervasive computing environments using symbolic coordinates

Wireless sensor networks can monitor different types of physical phenomena and are able to provide a diverse set of context data to interested clients. Allowing mobile pervasive computing devices to access such data requires solutions for routing messages between mobile devices and the static sensor network. This paper presents a novel approach that addresses this problem with the help of symbolic coordinates. It requires only a small amount of topology information distributed in the network and allows mobile devices to send messages to arbitrary areas. The routing task is split among the client nodes, which specify a symbolic source route, and the sensor nodes that handle node-to-node routing. The paper describes the algorithm, specific challenges associated with its design and gives an extensive evaluation of the approach and its properties, showing that the use of symbolic coordinates in these environments is a viable alternative to more traditional types of routing.
Effects of anaerobic training in children with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND Children's physical activity patterns are characterized by short-term anaerobic activities. Anaerobic exercise performance in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) has received little attention compared to aerobic performance. This study investigated the effects of anaerobic training in children with CF. DESIGN AND METHODS Twenty patients were randomly assigned to the training group (TG) [11 patients; mean (+/- SD) age, 13.6 +/- 1.3 years; mean FEV(1), 75.2 +/- 20.7% predicted] or the control group (CG) [9 patients; mean age, 14.2 +/- 2.1 years; FEV(1), 82.1 +/- 19.1% predicted]. The TG trained 2 days per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 30 to 45 min. The training program consisted of anaerobic activities lasting 20 to 30 s. The control subjects were asked not to change their normal daily activities. Body composition, pulmonary function, peripheral muscle force, habitual physical activity, aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance, and quality of life were reevaluated at the end of the training program, and again after a 12-week follow-up period. RESULTS Patients in the TG significantly improved their anaerobic performance, aerobic performance, and quality of life. No significant changes were seen in other parameters, and no improvements were found in CG. After the follow-up period, only anaerobic performance and quality of life in TG were significantly higher compared to pretraining values. CONCLUSIONS Anaerobic training has measurable effects on aerobic performance (although not sustained), anaerobic performance, and health-related quality of life in children with CF. Therefore, anaerobic training could be an important component of therapeutic programs for CF patients.
The association between dialysis modality and the risk for dialysis technique and non-dialysis technique-related infections.

BACKGROUND Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among dialysis patients. Dialysis modality has been hypothesized to be a potential immunomodulatory factor. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of the first dialysis modality on the risk for infections on dialysis. METHODS Our study was conducted utilizing the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis (NECOSAD) cohort of incident dialysis patients. Medical records of all patients from two tertiary care university hospitals and three regional hospitals were reviewed using pre-specified criteria. Information about infections was collected from the start of dialysis until death, modality switch, study withdrawal, kidney transplantation or at the end of the study. Age-standardized incidence rates for infections were calculated. Poisson regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs). RESULTS In total, 452 patients, of whom 285 started with haemodialysis (HD) and 167 with peritoneal dialysis (PD), were included. The median follow-up time on the first dialysis modality was similar for HD and PD, 1.8 and 2.0 dialysis years, respectively. During the first 6 months, the age-standardized infection incidence rate was higher on HD compared with PD patients (P = 0.02). Overall, PD patients had a higher infection risk [adjusted IRR: 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34-2.03], which could be attributed to a 4-fold increased risk for dialysis technique-related infections. The risk for non-dialysis technique-related infections was lower in PD patients (adjusted IRR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.40-0.79). CONCLUSIONS Overall, PD patients carry a higher risk for infections. Interestingly, the risk for non-dialysis technique-related infections was higher in HD patients. The links between dialysis modality and the immune system are expected to explain this difference, but future studies are needed to test these assumptions.
The haptoglobin 2-2 genotype is associated with a reduced incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children on the coast of Kenya.

BACKGROUND Haptoglobin (Hp) genotype determines the efficiency of hemoglobin clearance after malaria-induced hemolysis and alters antioxidant and immune functions. The Hp2 allele is thought to have spread under strong selection pressure, but it is unclear whether this is due to protection from malaria or other diseases. METHODS We monitored the incidence of febrile malaria and other childhood illnesses with regard to Hp genotype in a prospective cohort of 312 Kenyan children during 558.3 child-years of follow-up. We also conducted 7 cross-sectional surveys to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia. RESULTS The Hp2/2 genotype was associated with a 30% reduction in clinical malarial episodes (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 0.67; P=.008 for Hp2/2 vs. Hp1/1 and Hp2/1 combined). Protection increased with age; there was no protection in the first 2 years of life, 30% protection at > or = 2 years of age, and 50% protection from 4-10 years of age. Children with the Hp1/1 genotype had a significantly lower rate of nonmalarial fever (P=.001). CONCLUSIONS Balancing selection pressures may have influenced the spread of the Hp gene. Our observations suggest that the Hp2 allele may have spread as a result of protection from malaria, and the Hp1 allele may be sustained by protection from other infections.
TRAVELER RESPONSE TO THE 2005 GAS PRICE SPIKE

Knowledge of how travelers respond to spikes in gas prices is key to planning for future instabilities in gas prices and offers insight into possible pricing strategies as mechanisms for reducing vehicle travel or improving efficiency of fuel use. A survey of over 500 residents in Austin, Texas capitalized on a severe spike in gas prices that transpired in September of 2005. This work examines how respondents’ travel behavior changed during and following the spike. The paper describes the findings using basic descriptive statistics and uses ordered probit and binary logit models to determine which factors are responsible for behavioral changes in response to gas price spikes. Respondents indicated a strong tendency to reduce overall driving and/or chain together activities in more efficient tours as a way of coping with high prices, and nearly every gas-saving behavior questioned exhibited a significant percentage of persons reporting an increase. The results suggest that urban form, more than demographics, dictates the behavioral responses adopted by individual respondents. Finally, in the wake of the spike, respondents suggested many reasons for the price shifts and voiced support for policy measures that would encourage more efficient fuel use.
The impact of futures trading on underlying stock index volatility: the case of the FTSE Mid 250 contract

This paper investigates the effect of futures trading in the FTSE Mid 250 index on the underlying spot market using symmetric and asymmetric GARCH methods. Tests for the presence of asymmetries suggest a symmetric model adequately captures the response of volatility to news. Results indicate that following the onset of futures trading the quantity of information flowing into the market increased. However, the rate at which news is impounded into prices fell, with an associated rise in the persistence of information. These findings are consistent with the institutional characteristics and trading history of the FTSE Mid 250 market in the period following the onset of futures trading.
HDP-Align: Hierarchical Dirichlet Process Clustering for Multiple Peak Alignment of Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Data

Matching peak features across multiple LC-MS runs (alignment) is an integral part of all LC-MS data processing pipelines. Alignment is challenging due to variations in the retention time of peak features across runs and the large number of peak features produced by a single compound in the analyte. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian non-parametric model that aligns peaks via a hierarchical cluster model using both peak mass and retention time. Crucially, this method provides confidence values in the form of posterior probabilities allowing the user to distinguish between aligned peaksets of high and low confidence. The results from our experiments on a diverse set of proteomic, glycomic and metabolomic data show that the proposed model is able to produce alignment results competitive to other widely-used benchmark methods, while at the same time, provide a probabilistic measure of confidence in the alignment results, thus allowing the possibility to trade precision and recall. Availability Our method has been implemented as a stand-alone application in Java, available for download at http://github.com/joewandy/HDP-Align.
Middle Transitive Alternations in English: A Generative Lexicon Approach

Over the last fifteen years, following Perlmutter and Postal’s (1983) work, there has been constant interest in the problem raised by transitivity alternations. Perlmutter and Postal argued that the single argument of intransitive verbs may either be generated as an object of the verb (unaccusative verbs) or as a subject (unergative verbs) (cf. Bassac 1997). A sub-class of unaccusative verbs show both transitive and intransitive use, as in (1) and (2):
RNA-binding protein GLD-1/quaking genetically interacts with the mir-35 and the let-7 miRNA pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans

Messenger RNA translation is regulated by RNA-binding proteins and small non-coding RNAs called microRNAs. Even though we know the majority of RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs that regulate messenger RNA expression, evidence of interactions between the two remain elusive. The role of the RNA-binding protein GLD-1 as a translational repressor is well studied during Caenorhabditis elegans germline development and maintenance. Possible functions of GLD-1 during somatic development and the mechanism of how GLD-1 acts as a translational repressor are not known. Its human homologue, quaking (QKI), is essential for embryonic development. Here, we report that the RNA-binding protein GLD-1 in C. elegans affects multiple microRNA pathways and interacts with proteins required for microRNA function. Using genome-wide RNAi screening, we found that nhl-2 and vig-1, two known modulators of miRNA function, genetically interact with GLD-1. gld-1 mutations enhance multiple phenotypes conferred by mir-35 and let-7 family mutants during somatic development. We used stable isotope labelling with amino acids in cell culture to globally analyse the changes in the proteome conferred by let-7 and gld-1 during animal development. We identified the histone mRNA-binding protein CDL-1 to be, in part, responsible for the phenotypes observed in let-7 and gld-1 mutants. The link between GLD-1 and miRNA-mediated gene regulation is further supported by its biochemical interaction with ALG-1, CGH-1 and PAB-1, proteins implicated in miRNA regulation. Overall, we have uncovered genetic and biochemical interactions between GLD-1 and miRNA pathways.
Mnt1p and Mnt2p of Candida albicans Are Partially Redundant α-1,2-Mannosyltransferases That Participate in O-Linked Mannosylation and Are Required for Adhesion and Virulence*

The MNT1 gene of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans is involved in O-glycosylation of cell wall and secreted proteins and is important for adherence of C. albicans to host surfaces and for virulence. Here we describe the molecular analysis of CaMNT2, a second member of the MNT1-like gene family in C. albicans. Mnt2p also functions in O-glycosylation. Mnt1p and Mnt2p encode partially redundant α-1,2-mannosyltransferases that catalyze the addition of the second and third mannose residues in an O-linked mannose pentamer. Deletion of both copies of MNT1 and MNT2 resulted in reduction in the level of in vitro mannosyltransferase activity and truncation of O-mannan. Both the mnt2Δ and mnt1Δ single mutants were significantly reduced in adherence to human buccal epithelial cells and Matrigel-coated surfaces, indicating a role for O-glycosylated cell wall proteins or O-mannan itself in adhesion to host surfaces. The double mnt1Δmnt2Δ mutant formed aggregates of cells that appeared to be the result of abnormal cell separation. The double mutant was attenuated in virulence, underlining the importance of O-glycosylation in pathogenesis of C. albicans infections.