Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality and Long-Term Exposure to Source-Related Components of U.S. Fine Particle Air Pollution

Background: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution exposure has been identified as a global health threat. However, the types and sources of particles most responsible are not yet known. Objectives: We sought to identify the causal characteristics and sources of air pollution underlying past associations between long-term PM2.5 exposure and ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality, as established in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-II cohort. Methods: Individual risk factor data were evaluated for 445,860 adults in 100 U.S. metropolitan areas followed from 1982 through 2004 for vital status and cause of death. Using Cox proportional hazard models, we estimated IHD mortality hazard ratios (HRs) for PM2.5, trace constituents, and pollution source–associated PM2.5, as derived from air monitoring at central stations throughout the nation during 2000–2005. Results: Associations with IHD mortality varied by PM2.5 mass constituent and source. A coal combustion PM2.5 IHD HR = 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.08) per microgram/cubic meter, versus an IHD HR = 1.01 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.02) per microgram/cubic meter PM2.5 mass, indicated a risk roughly five times higher for coal combustion PM2.5 than for PM2.5 mass in general, on a per microgram/cubic meter PM2.5 basis. Diesel traffic–related elemental carbon (EC) soot was also associated with IHD mortality (HR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.06 per 0.26-μg/m3 EC increase). However, PM2.5 from both wind-blown soil and biomass combustion was not associated with IHD mortality. Conclusions: Long-term PM2.5 exposures from fossil fuel combustion, especially coal burning but also from diesel traffic, were associated with increases in IHD mortality in this nationwide population. Results suggest that PM2.5–mortality associations can vary greatly by source, and that the largest IHD health benefits per microgram/cubic meter from PM2.5 air pollution control may be achieved via reductions of fossil fuel combustion exposures, especially from coal-burning sources. Citation: Thurston GD, Burnett RT, Turner MC, Shi Y, Krewski D, Lall R, Ito K, Jerrett M, Gapstur SM, Diver WR, Pope CA III. 2016. Ischemic heart disease mortality and long-term exposure to source-related components of U.S. fine particle air pollution. Environ Health Perspect 124:785–794; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1509777
MONEY DEMAND, PPP AND MACROECONOMIC DYNAMICS IN A SMALL DEVELOPING ECONOMY

This paper aims at improving our understanding of macro-monetary phenomena in developing countries. Specifically, it analyses a six-variable model of the Dominican Republic by implementing the cointegrating VAR framework, using annual data for the period 1950-1999. The inquiry is able to identify money demand and PPP cointegrating relationships that are economically and statistically sensible, displaying half-life persistence profiles of approximately one and three years, respectively. Additionally, generalised impulse response functions observed after shocking the money demand relation suggest that there is scope for activist monetary policy, while those derived from perturbations to PPP show that real exchange rate depreciations generate both contractionary and inflationary developments.
Government Management of Village Commons: Comparing Two Forest Policies

Abstract When monitoring or enforcement is difficult, governments may find it impossible to manage village forest commons directly. Village-level institutions might be better able to manage these commons, yet villagers' management objectives may not coincide with those of the state. This article considers the effects of two different government policies on the local management of village commons. One policy tool attempts to induce villagers to conserve forest commons by giving them a share of the timber harvest. We investigate the question of whether or not this scheme Joint Forest Management (JFM) is preferred either by the villagers or the government to a simple benchmark policy, under which the government harvests at random. We show that, when villagers are sufficiently patient, for any equilibrium JFM policy there exists a benchmark policy which gives villagers the same level of utility. However, whether the government is similarly indifferent between these two arrangements depends on the villagers' ability to enforce collective agreements, and on the curvature of villagers' utility functions.
monBench: A Database Performance Benchmark for Cloud Monitoring System

Monitoring system provides a clear insight into the state and performance of service components in cloud computing platforms. It collects metrics from dispersed sensors and stores them in databases for show and future query. To choose the most suitable database for a monitoring system is complex, since the performance requirement on cloud monitoring system in different data centers differs widely. In this paper, we propose a benchmark named monBench to evaluate the performance of databases in cloud monitoring systems. Monbench extracts structural data from real-world monitoring logs to construct the benchmarking workload. Several performance metrics, such as throughput and query time, are evaluated by monBench.
Telomere stability and development of ctc1 mutants are rescued by inhibition of EJ recombination pathways in a telomerase-dependent manner

The telomeres of linear eukaryotic chromosomes are protected by caps consisting of evolutionarily conserved nucleoprotein complexes. Telomere dysfunction leads to recombination of chromosome ends and this can result in fusions which initiate chromosomal breakage-fusion-bridge cycles, causing genomic instability and potentially cell death or cancer. We hypothesize that in the absence of the recombination pathways implicated in these fusions, deprotected chromosome ends will instead be eroded by nucleases, also leading to the loss of genes and cell death. In this work, we set out to specifically test this hypothesis in the plant, Arabidopsis. Telomere protection in Arabidopsis implicates KU and CST and their absence leads to chromosome fusions, severe genomic instability and dramatic developmental defects. We have analysed the involvement of end-joining recombination pathways in telomere fusions and the consequences of this on genomic instability and growth. Strikingly, the absence of the multiple end-joining pathways eliminates chromosome fusion and restores normal growth and development to cst ku80 mutant plants. It is thus the chromosomal fusions, per se, which are the underlying cause of the severe developmental defects. This rescue is mediated by telomerase-dependent telomere extension, revealing a competition between telomerase and end-joining recombination proteins for access to deprotected telomeres.
Recent Developments in the Optimization of Space Robotics for Perception in Planetary Exploration

The following paper reviews recent developments in the field of optimization of space robotics. The extent of focus of this paper is on the perception (robotic sense of analyzing surroundings) in space robots in the exploration of extra-terrestrial planets. Robots play a crucial role in exploring extra-terrestrial and planetary bodies. Their advantages are far from being counted on finger tips. With the advent of autonomous robots in the field of robotics, the role for space exploration has further hustled up. Optimization of such autonomous robots has turned into a necessity of the hour. Optimized robots tend to have a superior role in space exploration. With so many considerations to monitor, an optimized solution will nevertheless help a planetary rover perform better under tight circumstances. Keeping in view the above mentioned area, the paper describes recent developments in the optimization of autonomous extra-terrestrial rovers.
Diagnostic value of plasma C-type natriuretic peptide levels in determination of the duration of mesenteric ischaemia

Summary Objective Mesenteric arteries release C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), which hyperpolarises vascular smooth muscle. We measured the levels of this peptide after inducing mesenteric ischaemia over a series of time intervals, so as to determine its predictive value in demonstrating the severity of ischaemia in a rat model. Methods A total of 32 rats were allocated to four groups containing eight rats each. Basal CNP reference levels were measured in the control group, which was not exposed to any intervention. In groups I, II and III, mesenteric ischaemia was induced over three, six and nine hours, respectively, and plasma CNP levels were measured afterwards. Mesenteric ischaemia was induced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery. Results In comparison with the controls (2.38 ± 0.18 pg/ml), CNP levels were relatively lower in group I (2.54 ± 0.42 pg/ml). However, significant increases in plasma CNP levels were observed over longer periods of ischaemia in group II, at 5.23 ± 0.22 pg/ml, and in group III, at 6.19 ± 0.67 pg/ml (p < 0.05). A significant direct relationship was determined between plasma CNP levels and prolonged intervals of mesenteric ischaemia (R = 0.56, p < 0.001). Conclusion Measuring plasma CNP levels in patients with acute mesenteric ischaemia may be beneficial in estimating the time period over which the ischaemic injury has occurred.
Key Management Integrated with Intrusion Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we present a scalable dynamic key management scheme for wireless sensor networks in which new nodes can join a sensor network securely and compromised nodes can be isolated from the network in time. Unlike centralized and location-based key management schemes, our scheme doesn't depend on such infrastructure as base stations and robots. Thus, it possesses a higher degree of flexibility. By using a reasonable clustering algorithm, our scheme can integrate efficiently with the cluster-based intrusion detection scheme and can, hence, improve the whole security of a wireless sensor network. Analysis shows that our proposed scheme is low in computation, communication, and storage overhead.
Research on Technology of Color Space Conversion Based on DSP48E

This paper optimizes the color space conversion algorithm based on in-depth studies of corresponding technology and the characteristics of DSP (Digital Signal Processing) unit in Vir-tex-5, i.e., DSP48E. A new method of color space conversion, i.e., DSP CSC is proposed based on DSP48E. The simulative result shows that this method can greatly improves the efficiency of color space conversion as well as the real-time processing.
Perspectives pour l'apprentissage interactif du couplage geste-son

L'apprentissage de mappings du geste vers le son constitue aujourd'hui un enjeu de recherche majeur. Dans un travail precedent, nous avons propose un modele hierarchique permettant de modeliser des structures temporelles a differentes echelles [8]. Nous nous interessons ici a l'apprentissage de structures temporelles de plus haut niveau. Plus specifiquement, nous nous proposons de formuler la problematique de l'articulation entre differents mappings geste-son dans un contexte d'apprentissage inter- actif. Ce champ de recherche emergent, aux croisements de l'apprentissage automatique et de l'interaction homme-machine, permet a notre sens de poser correctement la question de l'apprentissage " par demonstration ". Nous presentons d'abord successivement les cadres de l'apprentissage interactif et de la modelisation du couplage geste-son, puis les perspectives ouvertes par la reunion de ces problematiques, ainsi qu'une premiere extension de nos travaux precedents dans ce cadre.
Applying skip-gram word estimation and SVM-based classification for opinion mining Vietnamese food places text reviews

In this paper, a framework for mining unstructured documents in the form of Vietnamese text comments about locations is proposed. In the first step, the evaluation of users in the form of text comments will be extracted to produce a set of sentences in Vietnamese standard grammars by web analytic processing. Through the second step, using Skip-gram based model, the similarity between each phrase in sentences will be detected. The core of this research focuses on contributing an approach for word representation that reflects Vietnamese semantic information contexts for analyzing as an input of a machine learning based classification, SVM. The application of this research is applied to the STAAR project's opinion mining system.
Hypoxia Inhibits Protein Synthesis through a 4E-BP1 and Elongation Factor 2 Kinase Pathway Controlled by mTOR and Uncoupled in Breast Cancer Cells

ABSTRACT Hypoxia is a state of low oxygen availability that limits tumor growth. The mechanism of protein synthesis inhibition by hypoxia and its circumvention by transformation are not well understood. Hypoxic breast epithelial cells are shown to downregulate protein synthesis by inhibition of the kinase mTOR, which suppresses mRNA translation through a novel mechanism mitigated in transformed cells: disruption of proteasome-targeted degradation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) kinase and activation of the regulatory protein 4E-BP1. In transformed breast epithelial cells under hypoxia, the mTOR and S6 kinases are constitutively activated and the mTOR negative regulator tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) protein fails to function. Gene silencing of 4E-BP1 and eEF2 kinase or TSC2 confers resistance to hypoxia inhibition of protein synthesis in immortalized breast epithelial cells. Breast cancer cells therefore acquire resistance to hypoxia by uncoupling oxygen-responsive signaling pathways from mTOR function, eliminating inhibition of protein synthesis mediated by 4E-BP1 and eEF2.
Shortest Paths in a Dynamic Uncertain Domain

David Meir Blei Arti cial Intelligence Center SRI International 333 Ravenswood Ave Menlo Park, CA 94025 blei@ai.sri. com Leslie Pack Kaelbling Computer Science Department Box 1910 Brown University Providence, RI 02912 lpk@cs.brown. edu Abstract This paper describes solutions to nding shortest paths in stochastic graphs with partially unknown topologies. We consider graphs which are both static and dynamic. We solve the static problem by reduction to a Markov decision process and solve the dynamic problem by reduction to a partially observable Markov decision process. We show these solutions to be intractable and explore reinforcement learning as a method of approximation. Finally, we present empirical results of a reinforcement learning approach in this framework. Suppose we are trying to deliver an important package to a town in a cluster of small islands. These islands have recently been struck by a terrible storm and we can't be sure of the status of each bridge. Some of them are intact but many of them washed away or are otherwise unusable. What can we do in such a situation? Suppose now that there are e orts to x some of the bridges while other bridges continue to fall apart due to additional rains. Now how can we plan to deliver the package? These planning problems are interesting and di cult. We know something about the state of the world but need to observe it to be sure of that state. Furthermore, we want to deliver the package to the town as soon as possible and avoid wasting valuable time and resources on improbable and long paths through the islands.
Model based testing of Datawarehouse

Testing forms a major part of development lifecycle of a software system. Testing is responsible for ensuring software product meets intended quality of software systems. Large percentage of failure of Datawarehouse projects necessitates an investigation into alternative techniques for all aspects of datawarehouse development lifecycle including testing. M odel based testing is a technique applied for many software products and has proved to help increase the quality while reducing overall cost of the software systems. In this paper, we propose application of model based testing to datawarehouse systems and discuss how it can help solve some of the challenges in datawarehouse testing. This paper also proposes implementation details and future roadmap for model based datawarehouse testing.
Pragmatic Politeness in the Local Election: An Analysis of the Defeat of Agus-Silvy in 2017 DKI Jakarta Gubernatorial Elections

This research aims to analyze factors caused Agus-Sylvi’s losing in 2017 DKI Jakarta Governor election. This research analyzes Agus-Sylvi’s losing not only from politic sides, but also from pragmatics’ politeness. Pragmatic politeness in this research is according to Brown & Levinson’s theory (1987) which is based on the speakers and hearers’ faces. In collecting the data, the reseacher chooses considerably free method and note taking technique. Pragmatic based approach and contextual method are used to analyze the data. From all the data, the researcher had found 83 forms of politeness strategies which showed the form of politeness strategy used by Agus-Sylvi. Those politeness strategies are positive, negative, bald-off record, and across politeness strategies. The use of the most positive politeness strategy, offer and promise, revealed the way of Agus’Sylvi got lost in 2017 governor election of DKI Jakarta. It means that it is not good to use positive politeness too much because the hearers will judge the speakers as a person who loves to boast. The lack of negative politeness and bald-off politeness also revealed that Agus-Sylvi did not respect other participants of Jakarta’s2017 governor election. The non-dominant across politeness strategy proved that Agus-Sylvi could not compete in confessing their meaning pragmatically.
A new content-based digital audio watermarking algorithm for copyright protection

Digital audio watermarking embeds inaudible information into digital audio data for the purposes of copyright protection, ownership verification, convert communication, and/or auxiliary data carrying. In this paper, we present a novel watermarking scheme to embed a meaningful gray image into digital audio by quantizing the wavelet coefficients (using integer lifting wavelet transform) of audio samples. Our audio-dependent watermarking procedure directly exploits temporal and frequency perceptual masking of the human auditory system (HAS) to guarantee that the embedded watermark image is inaudible and robust. The watermark is constructed by utilizing still image compression technique, breaking each audio clip into smaller segments, selecting the perceptually significant audio segments to wavelet transform, and quantizing the perceptually significant wavelet coefficients. The proposed watermarking algorithm can extract the watermark image without the help from the original digital audio signals. We also demonstrate the robustness of that watermarking procedure to audio degradations and distortions, e.g., those that result from noise adding, MPEG compression, low pass filtering, resampling, and requantization.
Exploring Secondary Science Teachers’ Use of Classroom Physical Activity

This study explored the use of classroom physical activity (PA) in secondary science classrooms. To accomplish this, semistructured interviews were conducted with secondary science teachers (n = 11). Interviews were based on the constructs of the social-ecological model. Most teachers reported using classroom PA in some form—in-class breaks, outdoor activities, and curriculum support. Teachers used classroom PA to improve academic and behavioral outcomes of students. They had varied perceptions regarding collegial support of classroom PA, but mostly felt supported by administrators. Teachers reported being unaware of their district’s and the state department of education’s beliefs about classroom PA. Overall, factors that negatively influenced classroom PA use tended to be within the interpersonal, organization, and policy levels of the social-ecological model, while factors that positively influenced classroom PA use tended to be within the individual level. Subscribe to TPE
Characterization and biological properties of a new staphylococcal exotoxin

Staphylococcus aureus strain D4508 is a toxic shock syndrome toxin 1- negative clinical isolate from a nonmenstrual case of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). In the present study, we have purified and characterized a new exotoxin from the extracellular products of this strain. This toxin was found to have a molecular mass of 25.14 kD by mass spectrometry and an isoelectric point of 5.65 by isoelectric focusing. We have also cloned and sequenced its corresponding genomic determinant. The DNA sequence encoding the mature protein was found to be 654 base pairs and is predicted to encode a polypeptide of 218 amino acids. The deduced protein contains an NH2-terminal sequence identical to that of the native protein. The calculated molecular weight (25.21 kD) of the recombinant mature protein is also consistent with that of the native molecules. When injected intravenously into rabbits, both the native and recombinant toxins induce an acute TSS-like illness characterized by high fever, hypotension, diarrhea, shock, and in some cases death, with classical histological findings of TSS. Furthermore, the activity of the toxin is specifically enhanced by low quantities of endotoxins. The toxicity can be blocked by rabbit immunoglobulin G antibody specific for the toxin. Western blotting and DNA sequencing data confirm that the protein is a unique staphylococcal exotoxin, yet shares significant sequence homology with known staphylococcal enterotoxins, especially the SEA, SED, and SEE toxins. We conclude therefore that this 25-kD protein belongs to the staphylococcal enterotoxin gene family that is capable of inducing a TSS-like illness in rabbits.
The Importance of Group-Wise Registration in Tract Based Spatial Statistics Study of Neurodegeneration: A Simulation Study in Alzheimer's Disease

Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) is a popular method for the analysis of diffusion tensor imaging data. TBSS focuses on differences in white matter voxels with high fractional anisotropy (FA), representing the major fibre tracts, through registering all subjects to a common reference and the creation of a FA skeleton. This work considers the effect of choice of reference in the TBSS pipeline, which can be a standard template, an individual subject from the study, a study-specific template or a group-wise average. While TBSS attempts to overcome registration error by searching the neighbourhood perpendicular to the FA skeleton for the voxel with maximum FA, this projection step may not compensate for large registration errors that might occur in the presence of pathology such as atrophy in neurodegenerative diseases. This makes registration performance and choice of reference an important issue. Substantial work in the field of computational anatomy has shown the use of group-wise averages to reduce biases while avoiding the arbitrary selection of a single individual. Here, we demonstrate the impact of the choice of reference on: (a) specificity (b) sensitivity in a simulation study and (c) a real-world comparison of Alzheimer's disease patients to controls. In (a) and (b), simulated deformations and decreases in FA were applied to control subjects to simulate changes of shape and WM integrity similar to what would be seen in AD patients, in order to provide a “ground truth” for evaluating the various methods of TBSS reference. Using a group-wise average atlas as the reference outperformed other references in the TBSS pipeline in all evaluations.