Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bregman distances, totally convex functions, and a method for solving operator equations in Banach spaces

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, several basic mathematical concepts involved in the construction and study of Bregman type iterative algorithms are presented from a unified analytic perspective. Also, some gaps in the current knowledge about those concepts are filled in. Second, we employ existing results on total convexity, sequential consistency, uniform convexity and relative projections in order to define and study the convergence of a new Bregman type iterative method of solving operator equations.
Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Envelope Diversification from Acute to Chronic Infection within a Sexually Transmitted HCV Cluster by Using Single-Molecule, Real-Time Sequencing

ABSTRACT In contrast to other available next-generation sequencing platforms, PacBio single-molecule, real-time (SMRT) sequencing has the advantage of generating long reads albeit with a relatively higher error rate in unprocessed data. Using this platform, we longitudinally sampled and sequenced the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope genome region (1,680 nucleotides [nt]) from individuals belonging to a cluster of sexually transmitted cases. All five subjects were coinfected with HIV-1 and a closely related strain of HCV genotype 4d. In total, 50 samples were analyzed by using SMRT sequencing. By using 7 passes of circular consensus sequencing, the error rate was reduced to 0.37%, and the median number of sequences was 612 per sample. A further reduction of insertions was achieved by alignment against a sample-specific reference sequence. However, in vitro recombination during PCR amplification could not be excluded. Phylogenetic analysis supported close relationships among HCV sequences from the four male subjects and subsequent transmission from one subject to his female partner. Transmission was characterized by a strong genetic bottleneck. Viral genetic diversity was low during acute infection and increased upon progression to chronicity but subsequently fluctuated during chronic infection, caused by the alternate detection of distinct coexisting lineages. SMRT sequencing combines long reads with sufficient depth for many phylogenetic analyses and can therefore provide insights into within-host HCV evolutionary dynamics without the need for haplotype reconstruction using statistical algorithms. IMPORTANCE Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized the study of genetically variable RNA virus populations, but for phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses, longer sequences than those generated by most available platforms, while minimizing the intrinsic error rate, are desired. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that PacBio SMRT sequencing technology can be used to generate full-length HCV envelope sequences at the single-molecule level, providing a data set with large sequencing depth for the characterization of intrahost viral dynamics. The selection of consensus reads derived from at least 7 full circular consensus sequencing rounds significantly reduced the intrinsic high error rate of this method. We used this method to genetically characterize a unique transmission cluster of sexually transmitted HCV infections, providing insight into the distinct evolutionary pathways in each patient over time and identifying the transmission-associated genetic bottleneck as well as fluctuations in viral genetic diversity over time, accompanied by dynamic shifts in viral subpopulations.
Etched multilayer mask in EUV lithography for 16 nm node and below

Etched multilayer masks in EUV lithography for 16 nm node and below are better than conventional binary masks due to their higher image intensities and image slopes. However, aerial-image simulation of etched multilayer masks requires special care in order to obtain accurate results. In this paper, we first show that the usual Hopkins method for partial coherence simulation gives very inaccurate results when off-axis illumination is used. We then discuss an enhanced Hopkins method which provides far greater accuracy. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the importance of using the enhanced Hopkins method for EUV lithography simulation.
Neural Ranking Models with Multiple Document Fields

Deep neural networks have recently shown promise in the ad-hoc retrieval task. However, such models have often been based on one field of the document, for example considering document title only or document body only. Since in practice documents typically have multiple fields, and given that non-neural ranking models such as BM25F have been developed to take advantage of document structure, this paper investigates how neural models can deal with multiple document fields. We introduce a model that can consume short text fields such as document title and long text fields such as document body. It can also handle multi-instance fields with variable number of instances, for example where each document has zero or more instances of incoming anchor text. Since fields vary in coverage and quality, we introduce a masking method to handle missing field instances, as well as a field-level dropout method to avoid relying too much on any one field. As in the studies of non-neural field weighting, we find it is better for the ranker to score the whole document jointly, rather than generate a per-field score and aggregate. We find that different document fields may match different aspects of the query and therefore benefit from comparing with separate representations of the query text. The combination of techniques introduced here leads to a neural ranker that can take advantage of full document structure, including multiple instance and missing instance data, of variable length. The techniques significantly enhance the performance of the ranker, and outperform a learning to rank baseline with hand-crafted features.
Towards a Rational Design of a Continuous-Flow Method for the Acetalization of Crude Glycerol: Scope and Limitations of Commercial Amberlyst 36 and AlF3·3H2O as Model Catalysts

The acetalization of six different types of glycerol including pure, wet, and crude-like grade compounds of compositions simulating those of crude glycerols produced by the biodiesel manufacture, was carried out with two model ketones such as acetone and 2-butanone. The reaction was investigated under continuous-flow (CF) conditions through a comparative analysis of an already known acetalization catalyst such as Amberlyst 36 (A36), and aluminum fluoride three hydrate (AlF3·3H2O, AF) whose use was never previously reported for the synthesis of acetals. At 10 bar and 25 °C, A36 was a highly active catalyst allowing good-to-excellent conversion (85%–97%) and selectivity (99%) when either pure or wet glycerol was used as a reagent. This catalyst however, proved unsuitable for the CF acetalization of crude-like glycerol (CG) since it severely and irreversibly deactivated in a few hours by the presence of low amounts of NaCl (2.5 wt %) which is a typical inorganic impurity of raw glycerol from the biorefinery. Higher temperature and pressure (up to 100 °C and 30 bar) were not successful to improve the outcome. By contrast, at 10 bar and 100 °C, AF catalyzed the acetalization of CG with both acetone and 2-butanone, yielding stable conversion and productivity up to 78% and 5.6 h−1, respectively. A XRD analysis of fresh and used catalysts proved that the active phase was a solid solution (SS) of formula Al2[F1-x(OH)x]6(H2O)y present as a component of the investigated commercial AF sample. A hypothesis to explain the role of such SS phase was then formulated based on the Brønsted acidity of OH groups of the solid framework. Overall, the AF catalyst allowed not only a straightforward upgrading of CG to acetals, but also a more cost-efficient protocol avoiding the expensive refining of raw glycerol itself.
Predictive modelling of surface roughness and kerf widths in abrasive water jet cutting of Kevlar composites using neural network

Abrasive water jet cutting (AWJC) is one of the important non-traditional machining processes used for cutting of difficult-to-cut materials and intricate profiles. Cutting of Kevlar fibre reinforced polymer composites is a complex process, making it difficult to model, predict and improve the cut surface quality. This paper presents a detailed approach of the usage and effectiveness of a back-propagation neural network (NN) for modelling and prediction of three cut surface characteristics namely top kerf width, bottom kerf width and surface roughness (Ra) in AWJC of aerospace grade Kevlar-epoxy composites. Statistically designed full factorial experiments based on three process parameters [water jet pressure (WJP), abrasive flow rate (AFR) and quality level (QL)] at three levels each were conducted to generate the NN training database. The results demonstrate that the NN model was able to successfully model and predict the two kerf widths and surface roughness closely matching the experimental results.
Developments on electrochemical discharge machining: A review of experimental investigations on tool electrode process parameters

The electrochemical discharge machining is a combination of electrochemical machining and electrical discharge machining. The machining is achieved by chemical etching effect and melting of workpiece material due to electrical discharges. This process is used for a variety of nonconductive materials (glass, quartz, ceramic, Pyrex and so on) for the purpose of micromachining and specially for micro electro mechanical system applications. This article presents a comprehensive review of recent developments on tool electrode process parameters, which have resulted in enhanced efficiency and accuracy of the machining process. The tool electrode process parameters are shape, size, roughness, insulation and motion of tool and so on. These process parameters affect the process performance in terms of material removal rate, surface quality and dimensional accuracy of micromachined products. For example, spherical tool geometry provides five times higher material removal rate as compared to cylindrical tool geometry. The impact of electrochemical discharge machining process parameters associated with tool electrode is also discussed. A summary of review and proposed research directions is presented in this article.
Case-Study Framework for Properties of Disruptive Digital Entrants

: While disruption is not a new phenomenon, the rise of digital technologies has created unprecedented challenges for organizations. While research on how to handle disruptive innovation has been carried out to a large extent, most studies focus on the perspective of incumbents and not on how to be a disrupter. This paper argues that there is a potential for new theoretical points in studying entrants. As a point of departure from this, a tentative framework for digital entrant case-studies is established. This is done by coupling research perspectives from disruptive innovation theory with the concept of exponential organizations. The paper presents research-in-progress where the long term ambition is to clarify capabilities to be a disruptive, digital entrant.
[Restrictive pattern in spirometry: does FEV(1)/FVC need to be increased?].

INTRODUCTION Spirometry is an excellent tool in diagnosis of airway obstruction, but is less reliable in restrictive diseases. Diagnosis of lung restriction on the ground of reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) is saddled with a lot of mistakes. According to American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) 2005 guidelines restrictive pattern in spirometry consists of a reduction in vital capacity and increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second/vital capacity (FEV(1)/VC) 〉 85-90%. However, to our knowledge, this recommendation has not been validated. The aim of the study was to check how inclusion of an increased FEV(1)/FVC as a mandatory condition affects value of spirometry in detection of restrictive ventilatory defect. MATERIAL AND METHODS Material consisted of pulmonary test results obtained from consecutive patients referred to our lab during the year 2009, who had undergone spirometry and lung volumes measurements at the same visit. RESULTS Out of 1739 test results, 1402 non-obstructive patients, 679 females (48.4%) and 723 males (51.6%); mean age 49.7 ± 14.5 years were included into analysis. ERS 1993 reference equations were applied to all parameters. Lower limit of normal was set at -1.645 SR level. Restrictive ventilatory defect (TLC 〈 LLN) was found in 283 patients (20.2%). Reduced FVC only, as a condition of restrictive ventilatory defect diagnosis, was found in 202 patients (14.4%) (sensitivity 59%, specificity 97%). Reduced FVC together with increased FEV(1)/FVC 〉 85% was found in only 76 patients (5.4%) (sensitivity 23%, specificity 99%). Only 14% of mild, 26% of moderate, and 64% of severe restriction could be detected with reduced FVC and increased FEV(1)/FVC condition. CONCLUSIONS Dual condition of reduced FVC and increased FEV(1)/FVC greatly diminishes sensitivity of the test, and hampers diagnosis of restrictive ventilatory defect in spirometry, especially in mild and moderate stages.
Routine and Dynamic MR Imaging Study of Lobular Capillary Hemangioma of the Nasal Cavity with Comparison to Inverting Papilloma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lobular capillary hemangioma is an uncommon lesion, and its MR imaging appearance has not been fully characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the MR imaging features of nasal lobular capillary hemangioma and contrast its imaging characteristics to inverting papilloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MR imaging signals of 32 patients with histopathologically proven nasal lobular capillary hemangiomas and 53 patients with nasal inverted papillomas were retrospectively studied. The findings of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in 24 lobular capillary hemangiomas and in 53 inverted papillomas were also analyzed. The Monte Carlo exact test was used for comparison of the time-intensity curve patterns of lobular capillary hemangioma and inverted papilloma. RESULTS: All lobular capillary hemangiomas appeared to be homogeneously isointense to gray matter on T1-weighted images. On T2-weighted images, all lesions showed heterogeneous hyperintensity, and a thin peripheral isointense or hypointense ring was seen in 28 patients. All lesions showed marked enhancement on enhanced images, with the exception of enhancement of the T2 isointense or hypointense ring. Forty-three (81.1%) inverted papillomas had moderate heterogeneous T2 signal intensity, and a characteristic “cerebriform” appearance was detected in 45 (84.91%) of 53 inverted papillomas. The time-intensity curves showed a washout pattern in 18 and a plateau pattern in 6 patients, whereas inverted papillomas showed a washout pattern in 12, a plateau pattern in 35, and a persistent pattern in 6 patients. There was a statistically significant difference as to time-intensity curve pattern between the 2 groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, marked enhancement of tumor with a nonenhancing thin peripheral ring, and a washout time-intensity curve pattern are characteristic MR imaging features of nasal lobular capillary hemangiomas.
The Effects of a Mobile Phone Application on Quality of Life in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The combination of an increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and more people having access to smartphones creates opportunities for patient care. This study aims to investigate whether the use of the Diabetes Under Control (DBEES) mobile phone application, a digital diabetes diary, results in a change in quality of life for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) compared with the standard paper diary. Methods: In this randomized controlled open-label trial, 63 patients with T1DM having access to a smartphone were assigned to the intervention group using the DBEES application (n = 31) or the control group using the standard paper diary (n = 32). Primary outcome was the change in quality of life, as measured by the RAND-36 questionnaire, between both groups. Secondary outcomes included diabetes-related distress (PAID), HbA1c, frequency of self-monitoring blood glucose, and the usability of the diabetes application (SUS). Results: Patients had a median age (IQR) of 33 (21) years, diabetes duration of 17 (16) years, and an HbA1c of 62 ± 16 mmol/mol. No significant differences in the QOL, using the RAND-36, within and between both groups were observed after 3 months. Glycemic control, diabetes-related emotional distress, and frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose remained within and between groups. Users reviewed the usability of DBEES with a 72 ± 20, on a range of 0-100. Conclusions: The use of the DBEES application in the management of patients with T1DM for 3 months yields no alterations in quality of life compared to the standard paper diary.
Dynamic Portfolio Choice When Risk Is Measured by Weighted VaR

We seek to characterize the trading behavior of an agent, in the context of a continuous-time portfolio choice model, if she measures the risk by a so called weighted value-at-risk (VaR), which is a generalization of both VaR and conditional VaR. We show that when bankruptcy is allowed the agent displays extreme risk-taking behaviors, unless the downside risk is significantly penalized, in which case an asymptotically optimal strategy is to invest a very small amount of money in an extremely risky but highly rewarding lottery, and save the rest in the risk-free asset. When bankruptcy is prohibited, extreme risk-taking behaviors are prevented in most cases in which the asymptotically optimal strategy is to spend a very small amount of money in an extremely risky but highly rewarding lottery and put the rest in an asset with moderate risk. Finally, we show that the trading behaviors remain qualitatively the same if the weighted VaR is replaced by a law-invariant coherent risk measure.
Distributed Averaging Under Constraints on Information Exchange: Emergence of Lévy Flights

In this paper, we study the fragility of a popular distributed averaging algorithm when the information exchange among the nodes is limited by communication delays, fading connections and additive noise. We show that the otherwise well studied and benign multi-agent system can generate a collective global complex behavior. We characterize this behavior, common to many natural and human-made interconnected systems, as a collective hyper-jump diffusion process and as a Lévy flight process in a special case. We further describe the mechanism for its emergence and predict its occurrence, under standard assumptions, by checking the Mean Square instability of a certain part of the system. We show that the strong connectivity property of the network topology guarantees that the complex behavior is global and manifested by all the agents in the network, even though the source of uncertainty is localized. This work is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to establish the intimate relationship between the propagation of channel uncertainties in networked systems, the MS stability robustness and the emergence of Lévy flights in distributed averaging systems. As averaging is central to science and engineering, the results of the paper may have far-reaching consequences on the understanding and engineering of complex networked systems.
Development of Novel SSR Markers for Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Using Reduced-Representation Genome Sequencing

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a major fiber and oil yielding crop grown in northeastern China. Identification of flax molecular markers is a key step toward improving flax yield and quality via marker-assisted breeding. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, which are based on genomic structural variation, are considered the most valuable type of genetic marker for this purpose. In this study, we screened 1574 microsatellites from Linum usitatissimum L. obtained using reduced representation genome sequencing (RRGS) to systematically identify SSR markers. The resulting set of microsatellites consisted mainly of trinucleotide (56.10%) and dinucleotide (35.23%) repeats, with each motif consisting of 5–8 repeats. We then evaluated marker sensitivity and specificity based on samples of 48 flax isolates obtained from northeastern China. Using the new SSR panel, the results demonstrated that fiber flax and oilseed flax varieties clustered into two well separated groups. The novel SSR markers developed in this study show potential value for selection of varieties for use in flax breeding programs.
Micro–macro wear–fatigue of modular hip implant taper-lock coupling

A multiscale methodology for fretting wear–fatigue analysis of a prosthetic hip implant taper-lock assembly is presented. On a macroscopic scale, the stem and cap surfaces are smooth. However, on a microscopic scale, surface roughness undulations are employed to accentuate the frictional contact for an enhanced mechanical locking effect. Macroscopic (global) modelling for fretting wear–fatigue prediction of two head/stem material combinations, namely, Co-28Cr-6Mo against direct metal laser sintering Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) and forged Ti-6Al-4V, is investigated. The significance of fretting wear and fatigue in a hip joint for 10 years of service in a normal-weight male for moderately intense exercise is predicted for both material combinations. A micro-scale fretting wear–fatigue model of the surface undulation submodel is developed to predict wear and fatigue micro-cracking. A key aspect is the development of a multiscale wear–fatigue algorithm using adaptive meshing. Both material combination joints are shown to have sufficient wear resistance with direct metal laser sintering Ti64 performing better in terms of both fretting wear and fatigue.
Estimation of forest stem volume using optical SPOT-5 satellite and laser data in combination

In this paper, the accuracy of forest stem volume estimation using a combination of optical SPOT-5 satellite and TopEye laser scanner data is investigated, at stand level. It is anticipated that the accuracy will be improved for the combined stem volume estimate compared to using SPOT-5 data only. The test site is located in the south of Sweden and consists mainly of coniferous forest. The stem volume for the selected stands was in the range of 30-620 m/sup 3/ ha/sup -1/ with an average stem volume of 288 m/sup 3/ ha/sup -1/ and an average size of 2.9 ha. Regression analysis has been used to develop stem volume functions for each sensor and for the combination. In the combined stem volume function the horizontal forest structure is captured by the optical satellite data whereas the vertical structure is represented by the laser derived tree height data. The accuracy in terms of relative root mean square error was 30.8% of the average stem volume for SPOT-5 and 15.7% for the combination. Thus, compared to using only SPOT-5 data the improvement was found to be 49% The result implies that the combination of multi-spectral optical satellite and laser derived tree height data can be used for standwise stem volume estimation in forestry applications.
Asymptotic formulas for the logarithm of general L-functions at and near s=1

We consider a general form of L-function L(s) defined by an Euler product and satisfies several analytic assumptions. We show several asymptotic formulas for L(1) and log L(1). In particular those asymptotic formulas are valid for Dirichlet L-functions attached to almost all Dirichlet characters. Our theorems should be compared with former results due to Elliott, Montgomery and Weinberger, etc.