The work in this project was undertaken in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Universi... more The work in this project was undertaken in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Melbourne for the degree of Master of Environment. The views expressed are those of the author and might not reflect the views of the University of Melbourne, Office for Environmental Programs.
Purpose Data regarding the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in men and women after percutan... more Purpose Data regarding the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in men and women after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in low-and-middle incomes countries remains scarce. To investigate sex difference in the HRQoL at 30 days and 12 months post PCI in Vietnam. Methods We used data from a single percutaneous coronary registry established in the Vietnam National Heart Institute. The HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-3L instrument via telephone interviews, and information about demographics, clinical presentation and procedures was obtained through face-to-face interviews and medical records. The HRQoL between men and women were compared using independent samples t tests, the Mann–Whitney U test or univariate/multivariate logistic regression. Results There were 866 patients included in this cohort, with the proportion of women being nearly half of men (32.1 vs 67.9%). Women were 3.5 years older, had lower income and educational levels but greater prevalence of cardiovascular...
Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence
Knowledge transfer is computationally challenging, due in part to the curse of dimensionality, co... more Knowledge transfer is computationally challenging, due in part to the curse of dimensionality, compounded by source and target domains expressed using different features (e.g., documents written in different languages). Recent work on manifold learning has shown that data collected in real-world settings often have high-dimensional representations, but lie on low-dimensional manifolds. Furthermore, data sets collected from similar generating processes often present different high-dimensional views, even though their underlying manifolds are similar. The ability to align these data sets and extract this common structure is critical for many transfer learning tasks. In this paper, we present a novel framework for aligning two sequentially-ordered data sets, taking advantage of a shared low-dimensional manifold representation. Our approach combines traditional manifold alignment and dynamic time warping algorithms using alternating projections. We also show that the previously-proposed...
Nowadays, internationalization at home is the developmental trend in higher education institution... more Nowadays, internationalization at home is the developmental trend in higher education institutions. As a matter of fact, it is important for a UAS in Finland to develop itself as a high-quality international education environment for students. The aim of the thesis is to determine the expectation and experience of Finnish students in regards to their international classmates and from that, locate the existing gaps between local students' expectations and reality. Solutions would be discussed to fulfill the gaps based on Finnish students' perspective. The thesis applies inductive approach and uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods for gathering data. The research employs both primary and secondary data. Primary data came from survey that was distributed to Finnish students, secondary data come from published sources such as books, documents, records. The theoretical part of the thesis covers international students in Finland, international of higher education and the internationalization at home. It also defines the concepts of student satisfaction as the customer focus. Research outcomes show several expectations and experiences of Finnish students on their international classmates. For instance, the expectation to improve language skills and the experience of cultural diversity. The findings of this research also show several gaps between the local students' expectation and reality such as the gap of cultural difference. Through the above findings, the research suggests UASs ideas to improve and enhance the collaboration between Finnish and international students which base on Finnish students' perspective. For example, UASs can provide compulsory cultural courses to reduce the cultural shock for local students
This paper studies the effects of Secure Communities (SC), a wide-ranging immigration enforcement... more This paper studies the effects of Secure Communities (SC), a wide-ranging immigration enforcement program, on infant health outcomes in the United States. Using administrative birth certificate data together with event study and triple-difference designs, I find that SC increases the incidence of very low birth weight by 23% for infants of foreign-born Hispanic mothers, who were most likely to be affected by immigration enforcement. There is suggestive evidence that the results are consistent with (i) changes in maternal stress induced by deportation fear and (ii) inadequate prenatal nutrition. A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests that the unintended social cost of immigration enforcement approaches $2 billion annually.
In contrast to the traditional random access memory computational model where the entire input is... more In contrast to the traditional random access memory computational model where the entire input is available in the working memory, the data stream model only provides sequential access to the input. The data stream model is a natural framework to handle large and dynamic data. In this model, we focus on designing algorithms that use sublinear memory and a small number of passes over the stream. Other desirable properties include fast update time, query time, and post processing time. In this dissertation, we consider different problems in graph theory, combinatorial optimization, and high dimensional data processing. The first part of this dissertation focuses on algorithms for graph theory and combinatorial optimization. We present new results for the problems of finding the densest subgraph, counting the number of triangles, finding max cut with bounded components, and finding the maximum $k$ set coverage. The second part of this dissertation considers problems in high dimensional...
In σ-dependent transcriptional pausing, the transcription initiation factor σ, translocating with... more In σ-dependent transcriptional pausing, the transcription initiation factor σ, translocating with RNA polymerase (RNAP), makes sequence-specific protein-DNA interactions with a promoter-like sequence element in the transcribed region, inducing pausing. It has been proposed that, in σ-dependent pausing, the RNAP active center can access off-pathway “backtracked” states that are substrates for the transcript-cleavage factors of the Gre family, and on-pathway “scrunched” states that mediate pause escape. Here, using site-specific protein-DNA photocrosslinking to define positions of the RNAP trailing and leading edges and of σ relative to DNA at the λPR’ promoter, we show directly that σ-dependent pausing in the absence of GreB in vitro predominantly involves a state backtracked by 2-4 bp, and that σ-dependent pausing in the presence of GreB in vitro and in vivo predominantly involves a state scrunched by 2-3 bp. Analogous experiments with a library of 47 (∼16,000) transcribed-region se...
Nannochloropsis is a genus of microalgae that produces substantial amounts of storage lipids refe... more Nannochloropsis is a genus of microalgae that produces substantial amounts of storage lipids referred to as triacylglycerides that are derived from fatty acids. These products are precursors to important dietary lipids for use in oils and as replacements for hydrocarbon fuels. To enhance lipid production in Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP 1779 we applied an insertional mutagenesis approach to produce a library of 1200 strains containing single insertions located randomly in the genome. The collection was screened for growth at high CO2 (≤10%) and low pH, and for high lipid content. Seven mutants were selected for quantitative assays and characterization of photosynthetic efficiency. All 7 strains and the wild type (WT) grow fastest as measured by growth rate and final dry biomass at 2% CO2. The WT had a higher growth rate and biomass production compared with the mutant strains at 2% and 10% CO2. There was pH and CO2dependence of the growth rate of mutants and the WT. A level of 10% CO2 was a stress condition for Nannocholoropsis oceanica CCMP 1779. One strain (G2) grown at 2% and 10% CO2 had a higher lipid content by Nile Red fluorescence than the WT. When quantified by lipid extraction, this strain did not show a higher lipid content than the WT by day 15 of growth.
Although there is a large literature on ASEAN regionalism, comparatively little attention has bee... more Although there is a large literature on ASEAN regionalism, comparatively little attention has been devoted to Southeast Asia’s efforts to build a shared social and cultural community. This thesis examines how the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) is understood in ASEAN and explores challenges that stand in the way of the Community being realized by its 2015 deadline. The study reviews the origins and response to the ASCC at both the regional level, and at the national level through a case-study of Vietnam’s participation. It argues that although the ASCC is an important component of the ASEAN Community building process and member states have proclaimed their determination to realize the ASCC by 2015, the reality in ASEAN with its “unity in diversity” and “ASEAN Way” norms, means there are many obstacles in the way. Divergent national interests and priorities have led to different priorities in designing and implementing the ASCC Blueprint in the period 2009-2015. The thesis conc...
American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 2000
Alterations in the extracellular matrix occur during the cardiac hypertrophic process. Because in... more Alterations in the extracellular matrix occur during the cardiac hypertrophic process. Because integrins mediate cell-matrix adhesion and β1D-integrin (β1D) is expressed exclusively in cardiac and skeletal muscle, we hypothesized that β1D and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a proximal integrin-signaling molecule, are involved in cardiac growth. With the use of cultured ventricular myocytes and myocardial tissue, we found the following: 1) β1D protein expression was upregulated perinatally; 2) α1-adrenergic stimulation of cardiac myocytes increased β1D protein levels 350% and altered its cellular distribution; 3) adenovirally mediated overexpression of β1D stimulated cellular reorganization, increased cell size by 250%, and induced molecular markers of the hypertrophic response; and 4) overexpression of free β1D cytoplasmic domains inhibited α1-adrenergic cellular organization and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) expression. Additionally, FAK was linked to the hypertrophic response as fo...
In this paper, we revisit the classic problem of run generation. Run generation is the first phas... more In this paper, we revisit the classic problem of run generation. Run generation is the first phase of external-memory sorting, where the objective is to scan through the data, reorder elements using a small buffer of size M , and output runs (contiguously sorted chunks of elements) that are as long as possible. We develop algorithms for minimizing the total number of runs (or equivalently, maximizing the average run length) when the runs are allowed to be sorted or reverse sorted. We study the problem in the online setting, both with and without resource augmentation, and in the offline setting. • We analyze alternating-up-down replacement selection (runs alternate between sorted and reverse sorted), which was studied by Knuth as far back as 1963. We show that this simple policy is asymptotically optimal. Specifically, we show that alternating-up-down replacement selection is 2-competitive and no deterministic online algorithm can perform better. • We give online algorithms having smaller competitive ratios with resource augmentation. Specifically, we exhibit a deterministic algorithm that, when given a buffer of size 4M , is able to match or beat any optimal algorithm having a buffer of size M. Furthermore, we present a randomized online algorithm which is 7/4-competitive when given a buffer twice that of the optimal. • We demonstrate that performance can also be improved with a small amount of foresight. We give an algorithm, which is 3/2-competitive, with foreknowledge of the next 3M elements of the input stream. For the extreme case where all future elements are known, we design a PTAS for computing the optimal strategy a run generation algorithm must follow. • We present algorithms tailored for "nearly sorted" inputs which are guaranteed to have optimal solutions with sufficiently long runs.
The fastest known algorithms for computing the R* consensus tree of \(k\) rooted phylogenetic tre... more The fastest known algorithms for computing the R* consensus tree of \(k\) rooted phylogenetic trees with \(n\) leaves each and identical leaf label sets run in \(O(n^{2} \sqrt{\log n})\) time when \(k = 2\) (ref. [10]) and \(O(k n^{3})\) time when \(k \ge 3\) (ref. [4]). This paper shows how to compute it in \(O(n^{2})\) time for \(k = 2\), \(O(n^{2} \log ^{4/3} n)\) time for \(k = 3\), and \(O(n^{2} \log ^{k+2} n)\) time for unbounded \(k\).
ISSCC. 2005 IEEE International Digest of Technical Papers. Solid-State Circuits Conference, 2005.
A precision voltage reference with a TC <1ppm/°C is im... more A precision voltage reference with a TC <1ppm/°C is implemented using a floating-gate technique in a 1.5μm CMOS process. The reference is factory programmed from 0.5 to 5V without trim circuits to 0.2mV accuracy. The chip shows long-term drift of 10ppm/(1khr)0 2.
The Bureau of Reclamation and Woodward Governor Company have developed and tested algorithms for ... more The Bureau of Reclamation and Woodward Governor Company have developed and tested algorithms for speed governing and load control of large hydroelectric generators. These algorithms were implemented at Mt. Elbert Pumped-Storage Powerplant. The major benefits include ...
The work in this project was undertaken in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Universi... more The work in this project was undertaken in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Melbourne for the degree of Master of Environment. The views expressed are those of the author and might not reflect the views of the University of Melbourne, Office for Environmental Programs.
Purpose Data regarding the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in men and women after percutan... more Purpose Data regarding the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in men and women after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in low-and-middle incomes countries remains scarce. To investigate sex difference in the HRQoL at 30 days and 12 months post PCI in Vietnam. Methods We used data from a single percutaneous coronary registry established in the Vietnam National Heart Institute. The HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-3L instrument via telephone interviews, and information about demographics, clinical presentation and procedures was obtained through face-to-face interviews and medical records. The HRQoL between men and women were compared using independent samples t tests, the Mann–Whitney U test or univariate/multivariate logistic regression. Results There were 866 patients included in this cohort, with the proportion of women being nearly half of men (32.1 vs 67.9%). Women were 3.5 years older, had lower income and educational levels but greater prevalence of cardiovascular...
Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence
Knowledge transfer is computationally challenging, due in part to the curse of dimensionality, co... more Knowledge transfer is computationally challenging, due in part to the curse of dimensionality, compounded by source and target domains expressed using different features (e.g., documents written in different languages). Recent work on manifold learning has shown that data collected in real-world settings often have high-dimensional representations, but lie on low-dimensional manifolds. Furthermore, data sets collected from similar generating processes often present different high-dimensional views, even though their underlying manifolds are similar. The ability to align these data sets and extract this common structure is critical for many transfer learning tasks. In this paper, we present a novel framework for aligning two sequentially-ordered data sets, taking advantage of a shared low-dimensional manifold representation. Our approach combines traditional manifold alignment and dynamic time warping algorithms using alternating projections. We also show that the previously-proposed...
Nowadays, internationalization at home is the developmental trend in higher education institution... more Nowadays, internationalization at home is the developmental trend in higher education institutions. As a matter of fact, it is important for a UAS in Finland to develop itself as a high-quality international education environment for students. The aim of the thesis is to determine the expectation and experience of Finnish students in regards to their international classmates and from that, locate the existing gaps between local students' expectations and reality. Solutions would be discussed to fulfill the gaps based on Finnish students' perspective. The thesis applies inductive approach and uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods for gathering data. The research employs both primary and secondary data. Primary data came from survey that was distributed to Finnish students, secondary data come from published sources such as books, documents, records. The theoretical part of the thesis covers international students in Finland, international of higher education and the internationalization at home. It also defines the concepts of student satisfaction as the customer focus. Research outcomes show several expectations and experiences of Finnish students on their international classmates. For instance, the expectation to improve language skills and the experience of cultural diversity. The findings of this research also show several gaps between the local students' expectation and reality such as the gap of cultural difference. Through the above findings, the research suggests UASs ideas to improve and enhance the collaboration between Finnish and international students which base on Finnish students' perspective. For example, UASs can provide compulsory cultural courses to reduce the cultural shock for local students
This paper studies the effects of Secure Communities (SC), a wide-ranging immigration enforcement... more This paper studies the effects of Secure Communities (SC), a wide-ranging immigration enforcement program, on infant health outcomes in the United States. Using administrative birth certificate data together with event study and triple-difference designs, I find that SC increases the incidence of very low birth weight by 23% for infants of foreign-born Hispanic mothers, who were most likely to be affected by immigration enforcement. There is suggestive evidence that the results are consistent with (i) changes in maternal stress induced by deportation fear and (ii) inadequate prenatal nutrition. A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests that the unintended social cost of immigration enforcement approaches $2 billion annually.
In contrast to the traditional random access memory computational model where the entire input is... more In contrast to the traditional random access memory computational model where the entire input is available in the working memory, the data stream model only provides sequential access to the input. The data stream model is a natural framework to handle large and dynamic data. In this model, we focus on designing algorithms that use sublinear memory and a small number of passes over the stream. Other desirable properties include fast update time, query time, and post processing time. In this dissertation, we consider different problems in graph theory, combinatorial optimization, and high dimensional data processing. The first part of this dissertation focuses on algorithms for graph theory and combinatorial optimization. We present new results for the problems of finding the densest subgraph, counting the number of triangles, finding max cut with bounded components, and finding the maximum $k$ set coverage. The second part of this dissertation considers problems in high dimensional...
In σ-dependent transcriptional pausing, the transcription initiation factor σ, translocating with... more In σ-dependent transcriptional pausing, the transcription initiation factor σ, translocating with RNA polymerase (RNAP), makes sequence-specific protein-DNA interactions with a promoter-like sequence element in the transcribed region, inducing pausing. It has been proposed that, in σ-dependent pausing, the RNAP active center can access off-pathway “backtracked” states that are substrates for the transcript-cleavage factors of the Gre family, and on-pathway “scrunched” states that mediate pause escape. Here, using site-specific protein-DNA photocrosslinking to define positions of the RNAP trailing and leading edges and of σ relative to DNA at the λPR’ promoter, we show directly that σ-dependent pausing in the absence of GreB in vitro predominantly involves a state backtracked by 2-4 bp, and that σ-dependent pausing in the presence of GreB in vitro and in vivo predominantly involves a state scrunched by 2-3 bp. Analogous experiments with a library of 47 (∼16,000) transcribed-region se...
Nannochloropsis is a genus of microalgae that produces substantial amounts of storage lipids refe... more Nannochloropsis is a genus of microalgae that produces substantial amounts of storage lipids referred to as triacylglycerides that are derived from fatty acids. These products are precursors to important dietary lipids for use in oils and as replacements for hydrocarbon fuels. To enhance lipid production in Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP 1779 we applied an insertional mutagenesis approach to produce a library of 1200 strains containing single insertions located randomly in the genome. The collection was screened for growth at high CO2 (≤10%) and low pH, and for high lipid content. Seven mutants were selected for quantitative assays and characterization of photosynthetic efficiency. All 7 strains and the wild type (WT) grow fastest as measured by growth rate and final dry biomass at 2% CO2. The WT had a higher growth rate and biomass production compared with the mutant strains at 2% and 10% CO2. There was pH and CO2dependence of the growth rate of mutants and the WT. A level of 10% CO2 was a stress condition for Nannocholoropsis oceanica CCMP 1779. One strain (G2) grown at 2% and 10% CO2 had a higher lipid content by Nile Red fluorescence than the WT. When quantified by lipid extraction, this strain did not show a higher lipid content than the WT by day 15 of growth.
Although there is a large literature on ASEAN regionalism, comparatively little attention has bee... more Although there is a large literature on ASEAN regionalism, comparatively little attention has been devoted to Southeast Asia’s efforts to build a shared social and cultural community. This thesis examines how the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) is understood in ASEAN and explores challenges that stand in the way of the Community being realized by its 2015 deadline. The study reviews the origins and response to the ASCC at both the regional level, and at the national level through a case-study of Vietnam’s participation. It argues that although the ASCC is an important component of the ASEAN Community building process and member states have proclaimed their determination to realize the ASCC by 2015, the reality in ASEAN with its “unity in diversity” and “ASEAN Way” norms, means there are many obstacles in the way. Divergent national interests and priorities have led to different priorities in designing and implementing the ASCC Blueprint in the period 2009-2015. The thesis conc...
American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 2000
Alterations in the extracellular matrix occur during the cardiac hypertrophic process. Because in... more Alterations in the extracellular matrix occur during the cardiac hypertrophic process. Because integrins mediate cell-matrix adhesion and β1D-integrin (β1D) is expressed exclusively in cardiac and skeletal muscle, we hypothesized that β1D and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a proximal integrin-signaling molecule, are involved in cardiac growth. With the use of cultured ventricular myocytes and myocardial tissue, we found the following: 1) β1D protein expression was upregulated perinatally; 2) α1-adrenergic stimulation of cardiac myocytes increased β1D protein levels 350% and altered its cellular distribution; 3) adenovirally mediated overexpression of β1D stimulated cellular reorganization, increased cell size by 250%, and induced molecular markers of the hypertrophic response; and 4) overexpression of free β1D cytoplasmic domains inhibited α1-adrenergic cellular organization and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) expression. Additionally, FAK was linked to the hypertrophic response as fo...
In this paper, we revisit the classic problem of run generation. Run generation is the first phas... more In this paper, we revisit the classic problem of run generation. Run generation is the first phase of external-memory sorting, where the objective is to scan through the data, reorder elements using a small buffer of size M , and output runs (contiguously sorted chunks of elements) that are as long as possible. We develop algorithms for minimizing the total number of runs (or equivalently, maximizing the average run length) when the runs are allowed to be sorted or reverse sorted. We study the problem in the online setting, both with and without resource augmentation, and in the offline setting. • We analyze alternating-up-down replacement selection (runs alternate between sorted and reverse sorted), which was studied by Knuth as far back as 1963. We show that this simple policy is asymptotically optimal. Specifically, we show that alternating-up-down replacement selection is 2-competitive and no deterministic online algorithm can perform better. • We give online algorithms having smaller competitive ratios with resource augmentation. Specifically, we exhibit a deterministic algorithm that, when given a buffer of size 4M , is able to match or beat any optimal algorithm having a buffer of size M. Furthermore, we present a randomized online algorithm which is 7/4-competitive when given a buffer twice that of the optimal. • We demonstrate that performance can also be improved with a small amount of foresight. We give an algorithm, which is 3/2-competitive, with foreknowledge of the next 3M elements of the input stream. For the extreme case where all future elements are known, we design a PTAS for computing the optimal strategy a run generation algorithm must follow. • We present algorithms tailored for "nearly sorted" inputs which are guaranteed to have optimal solutions with sufficiently long runs.
The fastest known algorithms for computing the R* consensus tree of \(k\) rooted phylogenetic tre... more The fastest known algorithms for computing the R* consensus tree of \(k\) rooted phylogenetic trees with \(n\) leaves each and identical leaf label sets run in \(O(n^{2} \sqrt{\log n})\) time when \(k = 2\) (ref. [10]) and \(O(k n^{3})\) time when \(k \ge 3\) (ref. [4]). This paper shows how to compute it in \(O(n^{2})\) time for \(k = 2\), \(O(n^{2} \log ^{4/3} n)\) time for \(k = 3\), and \(O(n^{2} \log ^{k+2} n)\) time for unbounded \(k\).
ISSCC. 2005 IEEE International Digest of Technical Papers. Solid-State Circuits Conference, 2005.
A precision voltage reference with a TC <1ppm/°C is im... more A precision voltage reference with a TC <1ppm/°C is implemented using a floating-gate technique in a 1.5μm CMOS process. The reference is factory programmed from 0.5 to 5V without trim circuits to 0.2mV accuracy. The chip shows long-term drift of 10ppm/(1khr)0 2.
The Bureau of Reclamation and Woodward Governor Company have developed and tested algorithms for ... more The Bureau of Reclamation and Woodward Governor Company have developed and tested algorithms for speed governing and load control of large hydroelectric generators. These algorithms were implemented at Mt. Elbert Pumped-Storage Powerplant. The major benefits include ...
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