Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Matrix estimation by Universal Singular Value Thresholding

Consider the problem of estimating the entries of a large matrix, when the observed entries are noisy versions of a small random fraction of the original entries. This problem has received widespread attention in recent times, especially after the pioneering works of Emmanuel Cand\`{e}s and collaborators. This paper introduces a simple estimation procedure, called Universal Singular Value Thresholding (USVT), that works for any matrix that has "a little bit of structure. " Surprisingly, this simple estimator achieves the minimax error rate up to a constant factor. The method is applied to solve problems related to low rank matrix estimation, blockmodels, distance matrix completion, latent space models, positive definite matrix completion, graphon estimation and generalized Bradley--Terry models for pairwise comparison.
The invasiveness of off-line memory checking

Memory checking is the task of checking the correctness of a sequence of "store" and "retrieve" operations. The operations are performed in a large unreliable memory. A checker using a much smaller but completely reliable memory tries to decide whether they were executed correctly. M. Blum, W. Evans, P. Gemmel, S. Kannan and M. Naor, has shown in 1991 that the off-line checking of a sequence of memory operations concerning a RAM consisting of n registers can be done, in a probabilistic sense, by a checker using only O(log n) reliable memory and a constant number of RAM operation per each "store" and "retrieve" operations (with log n word length), moreover no unproven cryptographic assumptions are needed in the proof. The probability of error will be polynomially small in n. The solution however requires the checker to store some extra information in the unreliable memory, that is, the checking protocol is invasive. (In this solution the time of each "store" operation must be stored together with the data and must be supplied to the checker at the time of the corresponding retrieve operation.) In this paper we prove that off-line memory checking, in the sense described above, is necessarily invasive, even if we make the problem somewhat easier for the checker to exclude trivial counter-examples. We show that even if the checker is allowed to read a constant number of registers from the large memory after each "store" or "retrieve" instruction, off-line non-invasive memory checking is not possible. Moreover for the case when the invasiveness consists of storing some extra information together with each piece of data and retrieving it together with the data we give a quantitative lower bound on the amount of extra "invasive" information stored in the memory. Namely, if the checker has O(log n) memory and the probability of error is polynomially small than the "invasiveness" of the mentioned method of [5] is optimal upto a constant factor. With other words the total number of extra bits that must be written in the memory is at least εT log T, where T is the number of store and retrieve operations. In the lower bounds we do not restrict the computational power of the checker at all, in fact we only assume that the checker is an n-way branching program with O(log n) bits of memory.
Hybrid Resource Management for HPC and Data Intensive Workloads

High Performance Computing (HPC) and Data Intensive (DI) workloads have been executed on separate clusters using different tools for resource and application management. With increasing convergence, where modern applications are composed of both types of jobs in complex workflows, this separation becomes a growing overhead and the need for a common platform increases. Executing both workload classes on the same clusters not only enables hybrid workflows, but can also increase system efficiency, as available hardware often is not fully utilized by applications. While HPC systems are typically managed in a coarse grained fashion, with exclusive resource allocations, DI systems employ a finer grained regime, enabling dynamic allocation and control based on application needs. On the path to full convergence, a useful and less intrusive step is a hybrid resource management system allowing the execution of DI applications on top of standard HPC scheduling systems. In this paper we present the architecture of a hybrid system enabling dual-level scheduling for DI jobs in HPC infrastructures. Our system takes advantage of real-time resource profiling to efficiently co-schedule HPC and DI applications. The architecture is easily extensible to current and new types of distributed applications, allowing efficient combination of hybrid workloads on HPC resources with increased job throughput and higher overall resource utilization. The implementation is based on the Slurm and Mesos resource managers for HPC and DI jobs. Experimental evaluations in a real cluster based on a set of representative HPC and DI applications demonstrate that our hybrid architecture improves resource utilization by 20%, with 12% decrease on queue makespan while still meeting all deadlines for HPC jobs.
Numbers and current status of the population of Steller’s Sea Eagle on Sakhalin Island

A predictive model of spatial distribution of nesting territories of Steller’s Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicuswas constructed using GIS. A habitat map was created by vectorization of satellite imagery into unequal area polygons, grouped according to geobotanical and landscape characteristics. Logistic regression was used to model presence of a territory in a polygon. Using this method the model predicted that 434 potential nesting territories exist on Sakhalin. Evaluation of bird numbers was carried out using counts along line transects of varying length. After estimating linear density using jack-knife resembling, the density was extrapolated to unsurveyed fragments of coastline on the basis of similarity of their landscape characteristics. The total estimated number of birds for Sakhalin is 560 birds. Population age-structure estimation of the fraction of adult birds on Sakhalin was 64.2%. Mortality from fledging to maturity was estimated at 75.8%, with average annual mortality of juveniles reaching 25%. Average reproductive success for territorial pairs on Sakhalin was 0.795 fledgling per pair ( N = 70). Estimated population growth rate using Leslie matrix model was -0.0024, indicating a slow decline in the Sakhalin eagle population. Because of this even a relatively small decrease in survival or fertility could lead to a rapid decline in the population size.
Internal Variation of Electron Density in Galactic and Extragalactic HII Regions

A systematic search for internal variation of the electron density in galactic and giant extragalactic H II regions (GEHRs) has been conducted on a sample of 32 objects of different sizes and evolutionary stages. The electron density indicator used was the [S II] λ6716/λ6731 line ratio. No systematic spatial density variation was found in nearly 50% of the galactic objects and 40% of the GEHRs. Internal variations of electron density were detected in the remaining objects. The electron density, Ne, is a parameter of fundamental importance to understand the physical processes and properties of H II regions. Usually a single value of electron density is assumed to characterize the whole nebula. In the case of a non-homogeneous object this procedure can potentially result in improper interpretation of the spectral data. We report the results of a study on the internal spatial variation of the electron density in H II regions. Long slit spectra of high signal-to-noise ratio were obtained for a sample of 15 galactic (Copetti et al. 2000) and 17 extragalactic (Castañeda et al. 1992; Copetti et al. 2001) objects of different sizes, surface brightness, morphologies and evolutionary stages. The observations were performed with the Cassegrain spectrographs attached to the 1.60 m telescope of the La– boratório Nacional de Astrof́ısica, Brazil, and to the 2.50 m Isaac Newton telescope at the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, Canary Islands. The extragalactic H II regions studied belong to the galaxies M 33, M 51, M 101, NGC 2366, NGC 2403, NGC 4214, NGC 4449, NGC 4656 and NGC 6822. The galactic H II regions presented low mean electron densities of the order of Ne≈ 20–360 cm . The only exception was NGC 2579 with a peak density of Ne ≈ 1700 cm . The mean densities of the individual GEHRs are in the range 10 < Ne < 310 cm. The sample median values are Ne = 35 cm −3 for the GEHRs and Ne = 131 cm −3 for the galactic objects. No systematic spatial variation of electron
Functional Characterization and Toxicity of Pectin from Red Chilto Fruit Waste (Peels)

Background: Food and agricultural wastes constitute a rich source of functional ingredients for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. In this context, by-products from the red variety of Solanum betaceum fruits (chilto) from Northwestern Argentina are suitable sources for pectin extraction. Methods: In this study, pectin from the peels of red chilto fruits was extracted and characterized. Results: The recovery yield of red chilto peel pectin was about 24%, and it was co-extracted with 40.0 mg phenolic compounds, 6.5 mg anthocyanins, and 4.7 g proteins per 100 g of pectin. The pectin obtained from red chilto showed proper technological functionality displaying water and oil holding capacities of 4.2 and 2.0%, respectively, an emulsifying capacity of 83%, emulsion stability of 87.5%, foaming capacity of 21.1%, and foaming stability of 79.1%. The pectin displayed antioxidant activity with the ability to scavenge ABTS radical, superoxide anion, and H2O2. The polysaccharide exhibited in vitro hypoglycemic potential and inhibited the α-amylase enzyme, retarded glucose diffusion, and improved the cellular uptake of glucose in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. The extract was non-toxic on acute toxicity tests. Conclusions: Red chilto pectin showed potential as a new and safe functional ingredient for the design of foods, health products, and cosmetics.
Effect of smoking status on mortality and morbidity following coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND We aimed to examine the effect of smoking on outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS We retrospectively analysed 6 367 consecutive patients who underwent CABG between April 1997 and March 2003. Logistic regression was used to risk adjust in-hospital outcomes, while Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to risk adjust Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Outcomes were adjusted for variables suggested by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology. RESULTS 947 (14.9 %) patients were current smokers (smoking within 1 month of surgery), while 3857 (60.6 %) were ex-smokers and 1 563 (24.5 %) were non-smokers. After adjusting for differences in case-mix, current smokers were more likely to develop chest infections ( p < 0.001), atelectasis ( p < 0.001), and require ventilation longer than 48 hours ( p = 0.003). Current smokers were also more likely to stay in intensive care for more than 3 days ( p < 0.001). Ex-smokers were not associated with excess mortality ( p = 0.11), while current smokers had significantly increased mortality during follow-up ( p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS Patients should be encouraged to stop smoking to maximise the long-term benefits of CABG.
mFISH Analysis Reveals Complexity of Chromosome Aberrations in Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Internal Plutonium: A Pilot Study to Assess the Relevance of Complex Aberrations as Biomarkers of Exposure to High-LET α Particles

Abstract Anderson, R. M. , Tsepenko, V. V. , Gasteva, G. N. , Molokanov, A. A. , Sevan'kaev, A. V. and Goodhead, D. T. mFISH Analysis Reveals Complexity of Chromosome Aberrations in Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Internal Plutonium: A Pilot Study to Assess the Relevance of Complex Aberrations as Biomarkers of Exposure to High-LET α Particles. Radiat. Res. 163, 26–35 (2005). We recently demonstrated that a significant proportion of apparently stable insertions induced after exposure to a mean of one α particle/cell, detected using three-color FISH, were part of larger unstable complexes when visualized by 24-color FISH. Interestingly, regardless of the long-term persistence capability of the cell, the complexity of each α-particle-induced complex appeared to be specific to the nuclear traversal of a single α particle. To assess whether aberrations of a similar complexity are observed in vivo and also to examine the usefulness of detecting such aberrations as a biomarker of chronic exposure to α particles, we have carried out a limited pilot study of Russian workers with large body burdens of α-particle-emitting plutonium. We found unstable cells containing non-transmissible complex aberrations in all of the plutonium-exposed subjects analyzed by mFISH. In addition, all of the complexes seen were consistent with those previously observed in vitro. Non-transmissible complex aberrations were more common than transmissible-type complexes, consistent with ongoing/chronic exposure, and insertions were dominant features of both types of complex. Accordingly, this preliminary study supports the proposal that aberration complexity and non-transmissibility are the major cytogenetic features of α-particle exposure that could potentially be exploited as a specific indicator of chronic exposures to high-LET α particles.
Genetic diversity and identification of some Turkish cotton genotypes (Gossypium hirsutum L.) by RAPD-PCR analysis

++ + + + + + + - + + - - + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + - + - - + + - + + - - + + + + - + + + + + + - - + + - - - + + + + - - + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + - - + + - - - + + + + + - - - + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - - + + + - + + + + - + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + - - + + + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + - - + + + + + + + + + - + - - + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - - - - - + + + + + + + - + - + - + + - - + - - - + + - + - + - + -
Privacy implications of accelerometer data: a review of possible inferences

Accelerometers are sensors for measuring acceleration forces. They can be found embedded in many types of mobile devices, including tablet PCs, smartphones, and smartwatches. Some common uses of built-in accelerometers are automatic image stabilization, device orientation detection, and shake detection. In contrast to sensors like microphones and cameras, accelerometers are widely regarded as not privacy-intrusive. This sentiment is reflected in protection policies of current mobile operating systems, where third-party apps can access accelerometer data without requiring security permission. It has been shown in experiments, however, that seemingly innocuous sensors can be used as a side channel to infer highly sensitive information about people in their vicinity. Drawing from existing literature, we found that accelerometer data alone may be sufficient to obtain information about a device holder's location, activities, health condition, body features, gender, age, personality traits, and emotional state. Acceleration signals can even be used to uniquely identify a person based on biometric movement patterns and to reconstruct sequences of text entered into a device, including passwords. In the light of these possible inferences, we suggest that accelerometers should urgently be re-evaluated in terms of their privacy implications, along with corresponding adjustments to sensor protection mechanisms.
Transcriptional profile of primary astrocytes expressing ALS‐linked mutant SOD1

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons. Mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are found in approximately 20% of patients with familial ALS. Mutant SOD1 causes motor neuron death through an acquired toxic property. Although the molecular mechanism underlying this toxic gain‐of‐function remains unknown, evidence support the role of mutant SOD1 expression in nonneuronal cells in shaping motor neuron degeneration. We have previously found that in contrast to nontransgenic cells, SOD1G93A‐expressing astrocytes induced apoptosis of cocultured motor neurons. This prompted us to investigate whether the effect on motor neuron survival was related to a change in the gene expression profile. Through high‐density oligonucleotide microarrays, we found changes in the expression of genes involved in transcription, signaling, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, response to stress, and steroid and lipid metabolism. The most up‐regulated gene was decorin (Dcn), a small multifunctional extracellular proteoglycan. Down‐regulated genes included the insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (Igf‐1r) and the RNA binding protein ROD1. Rod1 was also found down‐regulated in purified motor neurons expressing SOD1G93A. Changes in the expression of Dcn, Igf‐1r, and Rod1 were found in the spinal cord of asymptomatic animals, suggesting these changes occur before overt neuronal degeneration and potentially influence astrocyte–motor neuron interaction in the course of the disease. The astrocyte‐specific gene expression profile might contribute to the identification of possible candidates for cell type‐specific therapies in ALS. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Versatility and VersaBench: A New Metric and a Benchmark Suite for Flexible Architectures

For the last several decades, computer architecture research has largely benefited from, and continues to be driven by ad-hoc benchmarking. Often the benchmarks are selected to represent workloads that architects believe should run on the computational platforms they design. For example, benchmark suites such as SPEC, Winstone, and MediaBench, which represent workstation, desktop and media workloads respectively, have influenced computer architecture innovation for the last decade. Recently, advances in VLSI technology have created an increasing interest within the computer architecture community to build a new kind of processor that is more flexible than extant general purpose processors. Such new processor architectures must efficiently support a broad class of applications including graphics, networking, and signal processing in addition to the traditional desktop workloads. Thus, given the new focus on flexibility demands, a new benchmark suite and new metrics are necessary to accurately reflect the goals of the architecture community. This paper thus proposes (i) VersaBench as a new benchmark suite, and (ii) a new Versatility measure to characterize architectural flexibility, or in other words, the ability of the architecture to effectively execute a wide array of workloads. The benchmark suite is composed of applications drawn from several domains including desktop, server, stream, and bit-level processing. The Versatility measure is a single scalar metric inspired by the SPEC paradigm. It normalizes processor performance on each benchmark by that of the highest-performing machine for that application. This paper reports the measured versatility for several existing processors, as well as for some new and emerging research processors. The benchmark suite is freely distributed, and we are actively cataloging and sharing results for various reference processors.
The adverse impact of heavy episodic drinkers on other college students.

OBJECTIVE College student survey data were examined to assess the impact of campus levels of heavy episodic drinking on nonheavy episodic drinking college students. METHOD Analyses are based on a survey mailed to a random sample of college students at 140 American colleges. A total of 17,592 students (69%) at participating colleges responded. The study defined "heavy" drinking as the consumption of five or more drinks in a row for men and four or more for women, and divided schools into approximately equal categories: lower drinking level schools where 35% or fewer students were heavy drinkers; midlevel schools (36-50% heavy drinkers); and high drinking level schools where over 50% of the students were heavy drinkers. RESULTS Residing on campus at high drinking level schools adversely affected students who were not engaging in heavy drinking. The odds of experiencing at least one problem from other students' drinking was 3.6 to 1 when nonheavy drinking students at high drinking level schools were compared to nonheavy drinking students at lower drinking level schools. Examples of such secondary heavy drinking effects included being hit or assaulted, having one's property damaged or experiencing an unwanted sexual advance. CONCLUSIONS College alcohol prevention efforts should include a focus on the needs of students who are not engaging in heavy drinking yet may be adversely impacted by other students' heavy drinking.
On Health-Related Quality of Life and Diagnostic Improvements in Rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is defined as an inflammatory process involving the mucosa of the nose and one or more of the paranasal sinuses. The aims of the work presented in this thesis were to investigate the degree to which rhinosinusitis affects the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and to determine whether the diagnosis of this condition can be improved using Doppler ultrasound. The HRQOL of 207 patients divided into three subgroups, one with recurrent acute rhinosinusitis, and two with chronic rhinosinusitis, with or without nasal polyps, was evaluated with the 22 Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), the 36-item short-form questionnaire (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale and a total visual analogue scale (VAS). These patients’ HRQOL was significantly decreased compared to normative values. Some significant differences in HRQOL scoring were found between the three subgroups. The study cohort reported 8-14 days of absenteeism per year due to their sinus problems. SNOT-22 and the total VAS appeared to be appropriate outcome measures in cases of rhinosinusitis in the Swedish population. It is not possible to differentiate serous sinus fluid (with a low viscosity) from mucopurulent sinus secretions (with high viscosity) with computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound. A means of determining the properties of sinus secretions non-invasively would, however, be of value, as bacteria are often found in mucopurulent secretions in rhinosinusitis. In order to improve the diagnosis of these patients, the ultrasound technique was further developed. In this thesis, it was demonstrated that it is possible to induce acoustic streaming in a sinus model, and that the acoustic properties of a fluid can be determined with Doppler ultrasound. The appropriate frequency of the ultrasound was found to be ~5 MHz. The anatomical dimensions of the maxillary and frontal sinuses were studied on computed tomography images in order to be able to develop a clinically useful Doppler instrument. It was shown how serous sinus fluid can be distinguished from mucopurulent sinus secretion with Doppler ultrasound, without exposing the patient to a harmful increase in temperature.