Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tensor Embedding Methods

Over the past few years, some embedding methods have been proposed for feature extraction and dimensionality reduction in various machine learning and pattern classification tasks. Among the methods proposed are Neighborhood Preserving Embedding (NPE), Locality Preserving Projection (LPP) and Local Discriminant Embedding (LDE) which have been used in such applications as face recognition and image/video retrieval. However, although the data in these applications are more naturally represented as higher-order tensors, the embedding methods can only work with vectorized data representations which may not capture well some useful information in the original data. Moreover, high-dimensional vectorized representations also suffer from the curse of dimensionality and the high computational demand. In this paper, we propose some novel tensor embedding methods which, unlike previous methods, take data directly in the form of tensors of arbitrary order as input. These methods allow the relationships between dimensions of a tensor representation to be efficiently characterized. Moreover, they also allow the intrinsic local geometric and topological properties of the manifold embedded in a tensor space to be naturally estimated. Furthermore, they do not suffer from the curse of dimensionality and the high computational demand. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tensor embedding methods on a face recognition application and compare them with some previous methods. Extensive experiments show that our methods are not only more effective but also more efficient.
Behavioral Isolation due to Cascade Reinforcement in Lucania Killifish

Reinforcement occurs when behavioral isolation is strengthened between species due to selection against hybridization in sympatry. Mate preferences and their target traits may change in sympatry as a consequence of reinforcement. This can potentially generate further behavioral isolation within species if sympatric populations evolve extreme preferences or traits that cause them to reject individuals from foreign populations as mates or be rejected as mates. This process is known as cascade reinforcement. We measured behavioral isolation between sympatric and allopatric populations of Lucania killifish to determine whether isolation evolves due to reinforcement between species and whether reinforcement affects preferences within species, consistent with the cascade reinforcement hypothesis. We measured mate preferences in both sexes between species (Lucania parva vs. Lucania goodei) and within species (among populations of L. parva). Between species, both male and female preferences for conspecifics were highest in sympatric populations. Within species, L. parva females from sympatric populations preferred their own native males over foreign males. Allopatric L. parva females and all L. parva males showed no preferences within species. Within species, behavioral isolation showed no association with ecological variables, such as salinity. Thus, reinforcement is a primary factor generating behavioral isolation in Lucania killifish, creating strong preferences in both sexes among species and leading to cascade reinforcement of female mate preference within species.
Modelling cointegration and Granger causality network to detect long-term equilibrium and diffusion paths in the financial system

Microscopic factors are the basis of macroscopic phenomena. We proposed a network analysis paradigm to study the macroscopic financial system from a microstructure perspective. We built the cointegration network model and the Granger causality network model based on econometrics and complex network theory and chose stock price time series of the real estate industry and its upstream and downstream industries as empirical sample data. Then, we analysed the cointegration network for understanding the steady long-term equilibrium relationships and analysed the Granger causality network for identifying the diffusion paths of the potential risks in the system. The results showed that the influence from a few key stocks can spread conveniently in the system. The cointegration network and Granger causality network are helpful to detect the diffusion path between the industries. We can also identify and intervene in the transmission medium to curb risk diffusion.
Of Mice and Men: Natural Kinds of Emotions in the Mammalian Brain? A Response to Panksepp and Izard

For almost 5 decades, the scientific study of emotion has been guided by the assumption that categories such as anger, sadness, and fear cut nature at its joints. Barrett (2006a) provided a comprehensive review of the empirical evidence from the study of emotion in humans and concluded that this assumption has outlived its usefulness. Panksepp and Izard have written lengthy papers (published in this issue) containing complementary but largely nonover lapping criticisms of Barrett (2006a). In our response, we address three of their concerns. First, we discuss the value of correlational versus experimental studies for evaluating the natural-kind model of emotion and refute the claim that the evidence offered in Barrett (2006a) was merely correlational. Second, we take up the issue of whether or not there is evidence for “coherently organized neural circuits for natural kinds of emotions in the mammalian brain and counter the claim that Barrett (2006a) ignored crucial evidence for existence of discrete emotions as natural kinds. Third, we address Panksepp and Izard's misconceptions of an alternative view, the conceptual act model of emotion, that was briefly discussed in Barrett (2006a). Finally, we end the article with some thoughts on how to move the scientific study of emotion beyond the debate over whether or not emotions are natural kinds.
Association of Environmental Toxicants and Conduct Disorder in U.S. Children: NHANES 2001–2004

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the association of tobacco smoke and environmental lead exposure with conduct disorder (CD). Methods The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001–2004 is a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of the noninstitutionalized U.S. population. We examined the association of prenatal tobacco, postnatal tobacco, and environmental lead exposure with CD in children 8–15 years of age (n = 3,081). We measured prenatal tobacco exposure by parent report of cigarette use during pregnancy, and postnatal tobacco using serum cotinine levels. We assessed lead exposure using current blood lead concentration. Parents completed the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children to determine whether their children met criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV ) for CD. Results Overall, 2.06% of children met DSM-IV criteria for CD in the past year, equivalent to 560,000 U.S. children 8–15 years of age. After adjustment, prenatal tobacco exposure was associated with increased odds for CD [odds ratio (OR) = 3.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.36–6.63]. Increased blood lead levels (fourth vs. first quartile) and serum cotinine levels (fifth vs. first quintile) were associated with an 8.64-fold (95% CI, 1.87–40.04) and 9.15-fold (95% CI, 1.47–6.90) increased odds of meeting DSM-IV CD criteria. Increasing serum cotinine levels and blood lead levels were also associated with increased prevalence of CD symptoms (symptom count ratio, lead: 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23–2.43; symptom count ratio, cotinine: 1.97; 95% CI, 1.15–3.40). Conclusions These results suggest that prenatal tobacco exposure and environmental lead exposure contribute substantially to CD in U.S. children.
Rab11 Promotes Docking and Fusion of Multivesicular Bodies in a Calcium‐Dependent Manner

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are membranous structures within 60–100 nm diameter vesicles accumulate. MVBs are generated after invagination and pinching off of the endosomal membrane in the lumen of the vacuole. In certain cell types, fusion of MVBs with the plasma membrane results in the release of the internal vesicles called exosomes. In this report we have examined how an increase in cytosolic calcium affects the development of MVBs and exosome release in K562 cells overexpressing GFP‐Rab11 wt or its mutants. In cells overexpressing the Rab11Q70 L mutant or Rab11 wt, an increase in the cytosolic calcium concentration induced by monensin caused a marked enlargement of the MVBs. This effect was abrogated by the membrane permeant calcium chelator BAPTA‐AM. We also examined the behavior of MVBs in living cells by time lapse confocal microscopy. Many MVBs, decorated by wt or Q70L mutant GFP‐Rab11, were docked and ready to fuse in the presence of a calcium chelator. This observation suggests that Rab11 is acting in the tethering/docking of MVBs to promote homotypic fusion, but that the final fusion reaction requires the presence of calcium. Additionally, a rise in intracellular calcium concentration enhanced exosome secretion in Rab11 wt overexpressing cells and reversed the inhibition of the mutants. The results suggest that both Rab11 and calcium are involved in the homotypic fusion of MVBs.
Discovery of a rich proto-cluster at z = 2.9 and associated diffuse cold gas in the VIMOS Ultra-Deep Survey (VUDS)

High-density environments are crucial places for studying the link between hierarchical structure formation and stellar mass growth in galaxies. In this work, we characterise a massive proto-cluster at z = 2.895 that we found in the COSMOS field using the spectroscopic sample of the VIMOS Ultra-Deep Survey (VUDS). This is one of the rare structures at z ~ 3 not identified around an active galactic nucleus (AGN) or a radio galaxy, thus it represents an ideal laboratory for investigating the formation of galaxies in dense environments. The structure comprises 12 galaxies with secure spectroscopic redshift in an area of ~ 7′ × 8′, in a total z range of Δz = 0.016. The measured galaxy number overdensity is δ_g = 12 ± 2. This overdensity has a total mass of M ~ 8.1 × 10^(14) M_⊙ in a volume of 13 × 15 × 17 Mpc^3. Simulations indicate that such an overdensity at z ~ 2.9 is a proto-cluster, which will collapse in a cluster of total mass M_(z = 0) ~ 2.5 × 10^(15) M_⊙ at z = 0, i.e. a massive cluster in the local Universe. We analysed the properties of the galaxies within the overdensity, and we compared them with acontrol sample at the same redshift but outside the overdensity. We could not find any statistically significant difference between the properties (stellar mass, star formation rate, specific star formation rate, NUV-r and r − K colours) of the galaxies inside and outside the overdensity, but this result might be due to the lack of statistics or possibly to the specific galaxy population sampled by VUDS, which could be less affected by environment than the other populations not probed by the survey. The stacked spectrum of galaxies in the background of the overdensity shows a significant absorption feature at the wavelength of Lyα redshifted at z = 2.895 (λ = 4736 A), with a rest frame equivalent width (EW) of 4 ± 1.4 A. Stacking only background galaxies without intervening sources at z ~ 2.9 along their line of sight, we find that this absorption feature has a rest frame EW of 10.8 ± 3.7 A, with a detection S/N of ~4. We verify that this measurement is not likely to be due to noise fluctuations. These EW values imply a high column density (N(HI) ~ 3−20 × 10^(19) cm^(-2)), consistent with a scenario where such absorption is due to intervening cold streams of gas that are falling into the halo potential wells of the proto-cluster galaxies. Nevertheless, we cannot rule out the hypothesis that this absorption line is related to the diffuse gas within the overdensity.
GestureWrist and GesturePad: unobtrusive wearable interaction devices

In this paper we introduce two input devices for wearable computers, called GestureWrist and GesturePad. Both devices allow users to interact with wearable or nearby computers by using gesture-based commands. Both are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, so they can be used under various social contexts. The first device, called GestureWrist, is a wristband-type input device that recognizes hand gestures and forearm movements. Unlike DataGloves or other hand gesture-input devices, all sensing elements are embedded in a normal wristband. The second device, called GesturePad, is a sensing module that can be attached on the inside of clothes, and users can interact with this module from the outside. It transforms conventional clothes into an interactive device without changing their appearance.
Finding a dynamical model of a social norm physical activity intervention

Low levels of physical activity in sedentary individuals constitute a major concern in public health. Effective physical activity interventions can be designed relying on mobile technologies, such that interactions can occur in opportune moments. The purpose of this work is to find a dynamical model of a social norm physical activity intervention relying on Social Cognitive Theory, and using an experimental data set. The model will serve as a framework for the design of future optimized interventions. To obtain model parameters, two strategies are developed: first, an algorithm that randomly varies the values of each model parameter around initial guesses. The second approach utilizes traditional system identification concepts to obtain model parameters relying on semi-physical identification routines. For both cases, the obtained model is assessed through the computation of percentage fits to a validation data set, and by a correlational analysis.
Identifying critical habitat of the endangered vaquita (Phocoena sinus) with regional δ13C and δ15N isoscapes of the Upper Gulf of California, Mexico

The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is the world’s most endangered cetacean and has experienced a 60% reduction in the size of its population in the past decade. Knowledge of its basic ecology is essential for developing successful management plans to protect and conserve this species. In this study, we identified vaquita foraging areas by creating an isoscape of the Upper Gulf of California (UGC) based on sediment and zooplankton carbon (dC) and nitrogen (dN) isotope values. Our results confirm that this species is confined to the western region of the UGC, which is characterized by relatively high dN values (sediments: 10.2& 6 2.0&, zooplankton: 15.8& 6 1.3&), higher sea surface temperatures ( 168C–258C), higher concentrations of silt in sediments, and the highest turbidity. In contrast, the eastern region of the UGC had relatively low sediment (7.7& 6 2.4&) and zooplankton (14.6& 6 1.0&) dN values, and the highest concentrations of sand in sediments. Our approach is an effective use of marine isoscapes over a small spatial scale (<200 km) to identify the environmental characteristics that define the critical habitat for an extremely endangered marine mammal.
Mood-Regulating Strategies Used By Athletes

This study examined strategies used to self-regulate mood dimensions assessed by the Profile of Mood States (McNair, Lorr, & Droppleman, 1971) in athletes. One hundred and seven athletes completed a 29-item mood regulation questionnaire (Thayer, Newman, & McClain, 1994) assessing strategies aimed at regulating anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, tension, and vigor. Results indicated that to 'change location', 'exercise', and 'listen to music' were strategies common to each mood dimension. Findings indicate that there were self-regulating strategies unique to certain mood dimensions; "try to be alone" for anger; "analyze the situation" for confusion; "engage in pleasant activities" for depression; and "use relaxation techniques" for tension. Vigor and fatigue shared the same self-regulating strategies although in different proportions. We propose that identification of strategies used to regulate mood lend support to the notion that mood can be controlled by the individual, and is not simply a reaction to external factors. It is suggested that there is a need for further research to investigate mood-regulating strategies used by athletes.
Aerobic heterotrophic microbial activity associated with seagrass roots: effects of plant type and nutrient amendment.

The oxygen dynamics of seagrass roots implicitly influences the associated microbial activity. The oxic zone surrounding roots creates a distinct electrochemical gradient where the con- centration of oxygen is highest closest to the root tip and decreases sharply with distance away from the root. Microbes within each micro-niche utilise progressively less energy-favourable electron acceptors (e.g. oxygen, nitrate, sulphate). It is probable that oxygen-consuming bacteria would have greatest activity at or near the root tips of seagrass. This study assessed the potential of a community- level physiological profiling assay, based on a high throughput, microtitre-based oxygen sensor, to evaluate aerobic heterotrophs in seagrass ecosystems. Seagrasses were collected from shallow water within the Banana River Estuary, Kennedy Space Center. The sensitivity of the method for character- izing microbial communities associated with seagrasses was tested both spatially (i.e. rhizoplane, rhi- zosphere) and following imposed light stress (i.e. shading). Results showed that oxygen availability and competition for nutrients defined the microbial response to carbon substrates, with the fastest response and largest peaks for N-containing carbon sources (e.g. asparagine, natural extracts). Aer- obic microbial activity was higher for Halodule wrightii than Syringodium filiforme. Primary nitrogen and secondary phosphorus limitation was observed for microbial activity from the rhizoplane and rhi- zosphere of H. wrightii. Shading appeared to reduce nutrient limitation for H. wrightii and reduced aerobic microbial activity. The microbial activity and functional response varied between the rhizos- phere and rhizoplane, which suggests that microbial activity on this fine spatial scale needs to be considered when evaluating biogeochemistry associated with seagrass sediments.
Characterization of Anthocyanins in Perilla frutescens var. acuta Extract by Advanced UPLC-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn Method and Their Anticancer Bioactivity

The anthocyanin extract from a domestic Perilla cultivar (Perilla frutescens var. acuta) were isolated and characterized with high mass accuracy and multi-dimensional fragmentation by means of ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and electrospray ionization-ion trap-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis (ESI-IT-TOF-MSn). The new developed and applied LC-MS method focused on in-depth screening of anthocyanin compounds with similar structures which also provided a new approach of anthocyanin characterization without the use of external standards. Selective detection of interested anthocyanins was achieved utilizing extracted ion chromatogram (EIC) analysis, while MSn spectra were recorded to allow identification of the anthocyanin based on characteristic fragmentation patterns. Seven anthocyanins including one feruloyl (Cyanidin 3-O-feruloylglucoside-5-O-glucoside), two caffeoyl (Cyanidin 3-O-caffeoylglucoside-5-O-glucoside, Cyanidin 3-O-caffeoylglucoside-5-O-malonylglucoside) and four coumaroyl substituted anthocyanins (Cis-shisonin, Malonyl-cis-shisonin, Shisonin, and Malonyl-shisonin) were identified. Annexin-V FITC/PI flow cytometric assay was performed to analyze the influence of anthocyanin extract of P. frutescens var. acuta on cell apoptosis. The results suggested that Perilla anthocyanins can induce Hela cell apoptosis by a dose dependent manner.
Towards A Successful Peritoneal Dialysis Program

Peritoneal dialysis (PD), hemodialysis (HD) and kidney transplantation constitute an integral renal replacement therapy program [1], where end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients can be shifted to one or more of these treatment modalities according to their assessment and prescription and/or when one of these modalities fails to satisfy its needs [2]. PD has been well established as a first choice renal replacement therapy (RRT) modality with higher survival rate, especially in the first few years of treating ESRD patients [3]. PD, and in particular when there are no contraindications, can be an excellent initial choice and first treatment option (Table 1).
Influencing Factors on Fertility Intention of Women University Students: Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior

This study was conducted to investigate the factors influencing the fertility intentions of female university students, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The data were collected by self-administered questionnaires that asked about general characteristics and TPB variables regarding fertility intention from 548 female university students. Three constructs of the TPB (attitudes, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control) regarding fertility correlate with fertility intentions. Multiple regression analysis indicated that all three constructs of the TPB and the intention of future marriage could predict fertility intentions. Based on the results, the TPB is useful to explain fertility intentions and the data from this study can be used as fundamental information to improve low birth rates.
Influence of imperfections on the photonic insulating and guiding properties of finite Si-inverted opal crystals

: The stability of the photonic properties of Si-infiltrated opals for fabrication disorder is tested with following models of applied imperfections: deviations in radii of spheres, deviations in spheres positions and both of them. The deviations are assumed to be distributed accordingly to the normal law and to the skewed distribution experimentally observed in the process of production of polymer self-assembled crystals. The criteria for the photonic crystals tolerances are evaluated versus the quality of photonic insulation provided by films or bulk spheres of finite thicknesses. In addition the stability of the photonic crystal waveguides in inverted opals is tested versus the imperfections strength.
Epidemiology of sepsis in Brazil: Incidence, lethality, costs, and other indicators for Brazilian Unified Health System hospitalizations from 2006 to 2015

Background Sepsis is considered a major worldwide health burden, with high mortality and associated costs. Health indicators are essential to define strategies to improve the treatment of diseases, and the epidemiology information of sepsis in developing countries is scarce. Thus, the aim of this work is to assess trends in the incidence, lethality, costs, and other indicators of sepsis for Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS—Sistema Único de Saúde) hospitalizations for the period from January 2006 to December 2015. Materials and methods We conducted this study using data from the SUS hospital information system. We selected registries of SUS hospitalizations of patients diagnosed with sepsis (total of 724,458 cases from 4,271 public and private Brazilian hospitals). Results From 2006 to 2015, the annual sepsis incidence increased 50.5% from 31.5/100,000 to 47.4/100,000 persons. The mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 9.0 days. A total of 29.1% of the hospitalizations had admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a mean ICU LOS of 8.0 days. The mean cost per hospitalization was US$624.0 and for hospitalizations requiring intensive care was U$1,708.1. The overall sepsis lethality rate was 46.3%, and for hospitalizations with admission to the ICU, it was 64.5%. During the study period, the lethality rate for children/teenagers decreased 40.1%, but for all other age groups it increased 11.4%. The sepsis lethality rate in public hospitals (55.5%) was higher than private hospitals (37.0%) (p < 0.001). The mean hospitalization LOS for public hospitals (10.3 days) was higher than private hospitals (7.6 days) (p < 0.001). Conclusions The incidence and lethality rate of sepsis increased in SUS hospitalizations during the study period. The SUS’s low reimbursement to hospitals for treating sepsis may be one of the reasons for the high lethality rate.