Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lexical Inference over Multi-Word Predicates: A Distributional Approach

Representing predicates in terms of their argument distribution is common practice in NLP. Multi-word predicates (MWPs) in this context are often either disregarded or considered as fixed expressions. The latter treatment is unsatisfactory in two ways: (1) identifying MWPs is notoriously difficult, (2) MWPs show varying degrees of compositionality and could benefit from taking into account the identity of their component parts. We propose a novel approach that integrates the distributional representation of multiple sub-sets of the MWP’s words. We assume a latent distribution over sub-sets of the MWP, and estimate it relative to a downstream prediction task. Focusing on the supervised identification of lexical inference relations, we compare against state-of-the-art baselines that consider a single sub-set of an MWP, obtaining substantial improvements. To our knowledge, this is the first work to address lexical relations between MWPs of varying degrees of compositionality within distributional semantics.
Asymptotic analysis of asymmetric MIMO links: EVM limits for joint decoding of PSK and QAM

Hardware non-idealities in wireless transmitter electronics cause distortion that is not captured by conventional linear channel models; in fact, error-vector magnitude (EVM) measurements in conformance testing conceptually reduce their collective effect to an additive noise component at each subcarrier. Motivated by the EVM, the present paper considers a `binoisy' multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel model where the additional non-idealities manifest themselves as an additive distortion noise term at the transmit side. Through this extended MIMO relation, the effects of hardware impairments on the achievable rates of different digital modulation schemes are studied via large system analysis. The numerical results illustrate how tolerable EVM levels depend non-trivially on various factors, including the signal-to-noise ratio, modulation order and the level of asymmetry in antenna array configurations.
Bayesian optimization with adaptive kernels for robot control

Active policy search combines the trial-and-error methodology from policy search with Bayesian optimization to actively find the optimal policy. First, policy search is a type of reinforcement learning which has become very popular for robot control, for its ability to deal with complex continuous state and action spaces. Second, Bayesian optimization is a sample efficient global optimization method that uses a surrogate model, like a Gaussian process, and optimal decision making to carefully select each sample during the optimization process. Sample efficiency is of paramount importance when each trial involves the real robot, expensive Monte Carlo runs, or a complex simulator. Black-box Bayesian optimization generally assumes a cost function from a stationary process, because nonstationary modeling is usually based on prior knowledge. However, many control problems are inherently nonstationary due to their failure conditions, terminal states and other abrupt effects. In this paper, we present a kernel function specially designed for Bayesian optimization, that allows nonstationary modeling without prior knowledge, using an adaptive local region. The new kernel results in an improved local search (exploitation), without penalizing the global search (exploration), as shown experimentally in well-known optimization benchmarks and robot control scenarios. We finally show its potential for the design of the wing shape of a UAV.
The impact of age on the postprandial vascular response to a fish oil-enriched meal

Although chronic fish oil intervention had been shown to have a positive impact on vascular reactivity, very little is known about their acute effects during the postprandial phase. Our aim was to examine the impact of a fish oil-enriched test meal on postprandial vascular reactivity in healthy younger ( < 50 years) v. older ( ≥ 50 years) men. Vascular reactivity was measured at baseline (0 h), 2 and 4 h after the meal by laser Doppler iontophoresis and blood samples taken at 0 and 4 h for the measurement of plasma lipids, total nitrite, glucose and insulin. Acetylcholine- (ACh, endothelial-dependent vasodilator) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, endothelial-independent vasodilator)-induced reactivities were greater at 4 h than at baseline or 2 h in the younger men (P < 0·04). These changes were not observed in the older men. Comparison of the male groups revealed significantly greater responses to ACh (P = 0·006) and SNP (P = 0·05) at 4 h in the younger compared with the older males. Postprandial NEFA concentrations were also greater at 4 h in the younger compared with the older men (P = 0·005), with no differences observed for any of the other analytes. Multiple regression analysis revealed age to be the most significant predictor of both ACh and SNP induced reactivity 4 h after the meal. In conclusion, the ingestion of a meal enriched in fish oil fatty acids was shown to improve postprandial vascular reactivity at 4 h in our younger men, with little benefit evident in our older men.
Evaluation of the teratogenic effects of three traditional Chinese medicines, Si Jun Zi Tang, Liu Jun Zi Tang and Shenling Baizhu San, during zebrafish pronephros development

The aim of this study was to evaluate the teratogenic effects of three common Chinese medical prescriptions, Si Jun Zi Tang (SJZT), Liu Jun Zi Tang (LJZT) and Shenling Baizhu San (SLBS), during zebrafish pronephros development. We used the transgenic zebrafish line Tg(wt1b:EGFP) to assess the teratogenic effects using 12 different protocols, which comprised combinations of 4 doses (0, 25, 250, 1,250 ng/mL) and 3 exposure methods [methods I, 12–36 hours post fertilization (hpf), II, 24–48 hpf, and III, 24–36 hpf]. As a result, few defects in the kidneys were observed in the embryos exposed to 25 ng/mL of each medical prescription. The percentage of kidney malformation phenotypes increased as the exposure concentrations increased (25 ng/mL, 0–10%; 250 ng/mL, 0–60%; 1,250 ng/mL, 80–100%). Immunohistochemistry for α6F, which is a basolateral and renal tubular differentiation marker, revealed no obvious defective phenotypes in either SJZT- or LJZT-treated embryos, indicating that these Chinese medical prescriptions had minimal adverse effects on the pronephric duct. However, SLBS-treated embryos displayed a defective phenotype in the pronephric duct. According to these findings, we suggest (1) that the Chinese medical prescriptions induced kidney malformation phenotypes that are dose dependent and (2) that the embryonic zebrafish kidney was more sensitive to SLBS than SJZT and LJZT.
Dose rate effects on the accumulation of radiation damage

During storage, spent fuel and other waste forms accumulate alpha-decay damage (and He). The dose rates and the temperatures experienced during storage are lower than during in-pile operation: however, the duration of the storage is much longer (of the order of up to a few hundred years if extended interim storage concepts are considered); if final disposal in the repository is considered, the time interval in which radiation damage accumulates is open-ended. In order to simulate within timeframes suitable for laboratory experiments long-term accumulation of alpha-decay damage, the so-called alpha-doped materials can be used, i.e. materials loaded with short-lived alpha-emitters (like e.g. Pu-238, U-233, etc.). The question is often posed if the accelerated accumulation of decay damage and He obtained using alpha-doped materials does cause some artefact related to the rate of accumulation rather than by the integrated dose. This work presents evidence that, at least within the range of alpha-activities considered, there is no dose rate effect. By comparing property evolution as a function of accumulated dpa for alpha-doped materials with activities of ∼1010 and ∼108 Bq/g, respectively, the same trends and levels of alteration are observed. In particular, macroscopic properties like hardness (measured by Vickers indentation) or swelling (evolution of lattice parameter derived from XRD), and microstructural formation and accumulation of defects in the lattice of the alpha-doped material are investigated, showing a remarkable similarity of behaviour vs. dpa independently not only from the dose rate, but also from the composition (namely, Pu and U are considered). Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Effects of Six Kinds of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors on Metabolic Parameters, and Summarized Effect and Its Correlations With Baseline Data

Background Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) blocks reabsorption of glucose by inhibiting SGLT2 in kidney, promotes the renal excretion of glucose and improves blood glucose control without requiring insulin secretion. Anti-atherosclerotic effects of SGLT2is have not been fully elucidated until today. Methods We retrospectively picked up patients with type 2 diabetes who had been continuously prescribed SGLT2i for 3 months or more between April 2014 and December 2016 by a chart-based analysis, and compared metabolic parameters including coronary risk factors before the SGLT2i treatment with the data at 3 and 6 months after the SGLT2i treatment started. Results We found 26 patients treated with tofogliflozin, 34 patients with canagliflozin, 27 patients with empagliflozin, 23 patients with ipragliflozin, 68 patients with dapagliflozin and 71 patients with luseogliflozin. Each SGLT2i ameliorated metabolic parameters, in different patterns. SGLT2is reduced body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltransferase, uric acid, triglyceride and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and elevated HDL-C; however, they did not affect LDL-cholesterol levels. Change in each metabolic parameter was significantly correlated with each metabolic parameter at baseline. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that SGLT2i ameliorated body weight, blood pressure, liver function, serum lipids and uric acid, in addition to improvement of glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The Family Window: Perceived Usage and Privacy Concerns

Families have a strong need to connect with their loved ones over distance. However, most technologies do not provide the same feelings of connectedness that one feels from seeing remote family members. Hence our goal was to understand if a video connection, in the form of a media space, could help families feel more connected. To answer this, we designed a video media space called the Family Window and deployed it within the homes of two families for eight months and four families for five weeks. We also interviewed 16 individuals to obtain additional feedback about the system and to learn about their privacy concerns.
Quantitative electromyographic characteristics of idiopathic unilateral vocal fold paralysis

Unilateral vocal fold paralysis with no preceding causes is diagnosed as idiopathic unilateral vocal fold paralysis. However, comprehensive guidelines for evaluating the defining characteristics of idiopathic unilateral vocal fold paralysis are still lacking. In the present study, we hypothesized that idiopathic unilateral vocal fold paralysis may have different clinical and neurologic characteristics from unilateral vocal fold paralysis caused by surgical trauma.
Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in the Elderly : A Review

O artigo teve como objetivo analisar criticamente estudos que avaliaram a habilidade dos indicadores antropométricos e clínicos enquanto capazes de predizer a SM em idosos. Foi realizado uma pesquisa bibliográfica nas bases de dados Medline/PubMed, LILACS e SciELO, além das referências de artigos selecionados e contato com autores. Foram analisados 21 artigos envolvendo indicadores antropométricos e clínicos em idosos, através de diferentes critérios da SM. Catorze estudos reportam aos indicadores antropométricos, sendo a circunferência da cintura (CC) e a razão cintura-estatura (RCEst) descritos como os melhores preditores de SM, com área sob a curva ROC (AUC) superior a 0,70 (p < 0,05). A circunferência do pescoço também foi descrita como indicador alternativo, porém com menor poder discriminatório. Para os indicadores clínicos, o lipid product accumulation (LAP) foi o parâmetro com melhor desempenho em identificar a SM em idosos, com AUC superior 0,85 e eficiência superior a 70%. Os indicadores CC, RCEst e LAP foram os mais sensiveis na predicação da SM. Desta forma, o emprego desses parâmetros podem facilitar a identificação precoce da SM através de métodos diagnósticos de fácil aplicação, boa precisão e baixo custo. Além disso, é importante a determinação de pontos de corte específicos para idosos, uma ver que a obesidade por si só, parece não ser forte preditor de SM em idosos.
Metabolic control of regulatory T cell (Treg) survival and function by Lkb1

Significance Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in maintaining immune tolerance to self-antigens and in suppressing excessive immune responses that may cause collateral damage to the host. Unlike other CD4+ T cells, Tregs have a distinct, yet-to-be-established metabolic machinery to produce energy for survival and function. Here we show that the metabolic sensor LKB1 is critical for the survival and function of Tregs through regulation of their cellular metabolism. Interestingly, AMP-activated protein kinase, the best-studied downstream kinase of LKB1, is largely dispensable for LKB1 function in Tregs; the MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinases and salt-inducible kinases may mediate its functions. We highlight LKB1 as metabolic regulator that links cellular metabolism to immune cell functions. The metabolic programs of functionally distinct T cell subsets are tailored to their immunologic activities. While quiescent T cells use oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for energy production, and effector T cells (Teffs) rely on glycolysis for proliferation, the distinct metabolic features of regulatory T cells (Tregs) are less well established. Here we show that the metabolic sensor LKB1 is critical to maintain cellular metabolism and energy homeostasis in Tregs. Treg-specific deletion of Lkb1 in mice causes loss of Treg number and function, leading to a fatal, early-onset autoimmune disorder. Tregs lacking Lkb1 have defective mitochondria, compromised OXPHOS, depleted cellular ATP, and altered cellular metabolism pathways that compromise their survival and function. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the function of LKB1 in Tregs is largely independent of the AMP-activated protein kinase, but is mediated by the MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinases and salt-inducible kinases. Our results define a metabolic checkpoint in Tregs that couples metabolic regulation to immune homeostasis and tolerance.
Glutathionylation Mediates Angiotensin II–Induced eNOS Uncoupling, Amplifying NADPH Oxidase‐Dependent Endothelial Dysfunction

Background Glutathionylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) “uncouples” the enzyme, switching its function from nitric oxide (NO) to O2•− generation. We examined whether this reversible redox modification plays a role in angiotensin II (Ang II)‐induced endothelial dysfunction. Methods and Results Ang II increased eNOS glutathionylation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), rabbit aorta, and human arteries in vitro. This was associated with decreased NO bioavailability and eNOS activity as well as increased O2•− generation. Ang II‐induced decrease in eNOS activity was mediated by glutathionylation, as shown by restoration of function by glutaredoxin‐1. Moreover, Ang II‐induced increase in O2•− and decrease in NO were abolished in HUVECs transiently transfected, with mutant eNOS rendered resistant to glutathionylation. Ang II effects were nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase dependent because preincubation with gp 91ds‐tat, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, abolished the increase in eNOS glutathionylation and loss of eNOS activity. Functional significance of glutathionylation in intact vessels was supported by Ang II‐induced impairment of endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation that was abolished by the disulfide reducing agent, dithiothreitol. Furthermore, attenuation of Ang II signaling in vivo by administration of an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor reduced eNOS glutathionylation, increased NO, diminished O2•−, improved endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation and reduced blood pressure. Conclusions Uncoupling of eNOS by glutathionylation is a key mediator of Ang II‐induced endothelial dysfunction, and its reversal is a mechanism for cardiovascular protection by ACE inhibition. We suggest that Ang II‐induced O2•− generation in endothelial cells, although dependent on NADPH oxidase, is amplified by glutathionylation‐dependent eNOS uncoupling.
Airway Remodelling in Asthma and COPD: Findings, Similarities, and Differences Using Quantitative CT

Airway remodelling is a well-established feature in asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), secondary to chronic airway inflammation. The structural changes found on pathological examination of remodelled airway wall have been shown to display similarities but also differences. Computed tomography (CT) is today a remarkable tool to assess airway wall morphology in vivo since submillimetric acquisitions over the whole lung volume could be obtained allowing 3D evaluation. Recently, CT-derived indices extracted from CT images have been described and are thought to assess airway remodelling. This may help understand the complex mechanism underlying the remodelling process, which is still not fully understood. This paper summarizes the various methods described to quantify airway remodelling in asthma and COPD using CT, and similarities and differences between both diseases will be emphasized.
CMP Directory Coherence: One Granularity Does Not Fit All

Abstract To support legacy software, large CMPs often provide cache coherence via an on-chip directory rather than snooping. In those designs, a key challenge is maximizing the effectiveness of precious on-chip directory state. Most current directory protocols miss an opportunity by organizing all state in per-block records. To increase the "reach" of on-chip directory state, we apply ideas from snooping region coherence to develop a dual-grain CMP directory protocol. First, we trade enable a tradeoff between unnecessary probes (e.g., invalidations) and on-chip directory storage size by organizing a directory entry with both per-1KB-region state and per-64B-block state. Second, to optimize for sparsely accessed regions, we evaluate an asymmetric dual-granularity directory, wherein some entries are smaller and can hold only one block per region rather than as many as to 16. Results with commercial and PARSEC workloads on a 16-node CMP show that the new dualgrain CMP directory design uses less space, or usually does fewer unnecessary probes, than conventional designs and eliminates directory accesses for many private blocks.
Structures and Analysis of Highly Homologous Psychrophilic, Mesophilic, and Thermophilic Adenylate Kinases*

The crystal structures of adenylate kinases from the psychrophile Bacillus globisporus and the mesophile Bacillus subtilis have been solved and compared with that from the thermophile Bacillus stearothermophilus. This is the first example we know of where a trio of protein structures has been solved that have the same number of amino acids and a high level of identity (66–74%) and yet come from organisms with different operating temperatures. The enzymes were characterized for their own thermal denaturation and inactivation, and they exhibited the same temperature preferences as their source organisms. The structures of the three highly homologous, dynamic proteins with different temperature-activity profiles provide an opportunity to explore a molecular mechanism of cold and heat adaptation. Their analysis suggests that the maintenance of the balance between stability and flexibility is crucial for proteins to function at their environmental temperatures, and it is achieved by the modification of intramolecular interactions in the process of temperature adaptation.
Analysis of network traffic and its application to design of high-speed routers

SUMMARY A rapid growth of the Internet and proliferation of new multimedia applications lead to demands of high speed and broadband network technologies. Routers are also necessary to follow up the growth of link bandwidths. From this reason, there have been many researches on high speed routers having switching capabilities. To have an expected effect, however, a control parameters set based on traffic characteristics are necessary. In this paper, we analyze the network traffic using the network traffic monitor and investigate the Internet traffic characteristics through a statistical analysis. We next show the application of our analytical results to parameter settings of high speed switching routers. Simulation results show that our approach makes highly utilized VC space and high performance in packet processing delay. We also show the effect of flow aggregation on MPLS. From our results, the flow aggregation has a great impact on the
Scheduling reserved traffic in input-queued switches: new delay bounds via probabilistic techniques

We consider the problem of providing delay bounds to reserved traffic in high-speed input-queued switches. We assume that the matrix of bandwidth demands is known and we use the now standard approach of decomposing this matrix into a convex combination of permutation matrices. Our problem therefore reduces to the problem of constructing a schedule for these permutation matrices. In this paper we derive delay bounds for four algorithms that are based on probabilistic techniques. For each algorithm we first place tokens randomly in continuous time for each permutation matrix. If the nth token that appears corresponds to permutation matrix M/sub k/ then we schedule matrix M/sub k/ in the nth time slot. The algorithms differ in how the random token processes are defined. For two of the algorithms we are able to perform a derandomization so as to obtain deterministic schedules. We show through numerical computation that in many situations the resulting delay bounds are smaller than the previously best-known delay bounds of Chang, Chen, and Huang (1999).
Sexually Abused Children Suffering From Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Assessment and Treatment Strategies

Child sexual abuse is a highly prevalent problem that frequently occasions the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder in the victimized youngster. This selective review addresses recent advances in the assessment and treatment of sexually abused children with post-traumatic stress disorder. Firstly, we outline the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and significant moderating variables in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. Secondly, we address the clinical assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder in sexually abused children, recommending a developmentally sensitive, multi-informant approach. Thirdly, we consider a family-wide cognitive-behavioural treatment framework for sexually abused children with post-traumatic stress disorder that involves both child and non-offending caregivers. Fourthly, we examine the results of recent evaluation studies supportive of cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of sexually abused children. Lastly, we consider conclusions for clinical practice and directions for future research.