Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient proactive secret sharing

The secure storage of long-lived sensitive data is constantly growing in its relevance due to the ever increasing digitization of documents. One very important challenge of this research field is to provide confidentiality for the stored data even in the long term. The only known approach to achieve this, as required, for instance, for medical records, is to use proactive secret sharing. However, all currently known schemes suffer from being inefficient. They require information-theoretic secure communication channels between any two shareholders and between the client and each shareholder and come with a high communication complexity. Thus, this work addresses the scenario where only a subset of servers holding shares is connected via private channels. Furthermore, it is sufficient if there is only one private channel between the client and one shareholder. In addition to improving practicability the presented proactive secret sharing solution, called EPSS, performs data aggregation to provide an efficient solution with respect to the communication complexity. Nevertheless, it still provides unconditional confidentiality for the data at rest and towards external attackers eavesdropping the communication channels.
Chromatographic Separation of Vitamin E Enantiomers

Vitamin E is recognized as an essential vitamin since its discovery in 1922. Most vegetable oils contain a mixture of tocopherols and tocotrienols in the vitamin E composition. Structurally, tocopherols and tocotrienols share a similar chromanol ring and a side chain at the C-2 position. Owing to the three chiral centers in tocopherols, they can appear as eight different stereoisomers. Plant sources of tocopherol are naturally occurring in the form of RRR while synthetic tocopherols are usually in the form of all-racemic mixture. Similarly, with only one chiral center, natural tocotrienols occur as the R-isoform. In this review, we aim to discuss a few chromatographic methods that had been used to separate the stereoisomers of tocopherols and tocotrienols. These methods include high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and combination of both. The review will focus on method development including selection of chiral columns, detection method and choice of elution solvent in the context of separation efficiency, resolution and chiral purity. The applications for separation of enantiomers in vitamin E will also be discussed especially in terms of the distinctive biological potency among the stereoisoforms.
Nondestructive Characterisation of the Effect of Asphalt Mixture Compaction on Aggregate Orientation and Segregation Using X-ray Computed Tomography

The orientation and distribution of aggregates in asphalt mixtures have significant influence on asphalt mixture performance. This study investigates the effect of different compaction methods on the aggregate structure. Three laboratory compaction methods; namely gyratory, vibratory and slab roller compaction are used to compact gap graded asphalt mixture specimens. All specimens are scanned using X-ray computed tomography (CT) and the characteristics of the images are analysed. Using the image analysis technique, the aggregate particles (≥ 2 mm) are separated from the mixture and the orientation and distribution in the compacted specimen are characterised. It was found that aggregates near the edge of a specimen tend to form circumferential alignment while the aggregates near the centre of the specimen are randomly oriented. Aggregate gradations show that coarse particles are mostly concentrated at the bottom compared to the top of a specimen.
Altered sleep brain functional connectivity in acutely depressed patients

Recent evidence suggests that problems in information processing within neural networks may underlie depressive disease. In this study, we investigated whether sleep functional brain networks are abnormally organized during a major depressive episode (MDE). We characterized spatial patterns of functional connectivity by computing the “synchronization likelihood” (SL) of 19 sleep EEG channels in 11 acutely depressed patients [42 (20–51) years] and 14 healthy controls [32.9 (27–42) years]. To test whether disrupting an optimal pattern [“small‐world network” (SWN)] of functional brain connectivity underlies MDE, graph theoretical measures were then applied to the resulting synchronization matrices, and a clustering coefficient (C, measure of local connectedness) and a shortest path length (L, measure of overall network integration) were determined. In the depressed group, the mean SL was lower in the delta, theta and sigma frequency bands. Acutely depressed patients showed a significantly lower path length in the theta and delta frequency bands, whereas the cluster coefficient showed no significant changes. The present study provides further support that sleep functional brain networks exhibit “small‐world” properties. Sleep neuronal functional networks in depressed patients are characterized by a functional reorganization with a lower mean level of global synchronization and loss of SWN characteristics. These results argue for considering an MDE as a problem of neuronal network organization and a problem of information processing. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heat Shock Proteins as Danger Signals for Cancer Detection

First discovered in 1962, heat shock proteins (HSPs) are highly studied with about 35,500 publications on the subject to date. HSPs are highly conserved, function as molecular chaperones for a large panel of “client” proteins and have strong cytoprotective properties. Induced by many different stress signals, they promote cell survival in adverse conditions. Therefore, their roles have been investigated in several conditions and pathologies where HSPs accumulate, such as in cancer. Among the diverse mammalian HSPs, some members share several features that may qualify them as cancer biomarkers. This review focuses mainly on three inducible HSPs: HSP27, HPS70, and HSP90. Our survey of recent literature highlights some recurring weaknesses in studies of the HSPs, but also identifies findings that indicate that some HSPs have potential as cancer biomarkers for successful clinical applications.
On the Unitary Cayley Graph of a Finite Ring

We study the unitary Cayley graph associated to an arbitrary finite ring, determining precisely its diameter, girth, eigenvalues, vertex and edge connectivity, and vertex and edge chromatic number. We also compute its automorphism group, settling a question of Klotz and Sander. In addition, we classify all planar graphs and perfect graphs within this class.
Affine Algebraic Decision Diagrams (AADDs) and their Application to Structured Probabilistic Inference

We propose an affine extension to ADDs (AADD) capable of compactly representing context-specific, additive, and multiplicative structure. We show that the AADD has worst-case time and space performance within a multiplicative constant of that of ADDs, but that it can be linear in the number of variables in cases where ADDs are exponential in the number of variables. We provide an empirical comparison of tabular, ADD, and AADD representations used in standard Bayes net and MDP inference algorithms and conclude that the AADD performs at least as well as the other two representations, and often yields an exponential performance improvement over both when additive or multiplicative structure can be exploited. These results suggest that the AADD is likely to yield exponential time and space improvements for a variety of probabilistic inference algorithms that currently use tables or ADDs.
Frontiers in Neuroinformatics

In this paper, we suggest that perception could be modeled by assuming that sensory input is generated by a hierarchy of attractors in a dynamic system. We describe a mathematical model which exploits the temporal structure of rapid sensory dynamics to track the slower trajectories of their underlying causes. This model establishes a proof of concept that slowly changing neuronal states can encode the trajectories of faster sensory signals. We link this hierarchical account to recent developments in the perception of human action; in particular artiﬁ cial speech recognition. We argue that these hierarchical models of dynamical systems are a plausible starting point to develop robust recognition schemes, because they capture critical temporal dependencies induced by deep hierarchical structure. We conclude by suggesting that a fruitful computational neuroscience approach may emerge from modeling perception as non-autonomous recognition dynamics enslaved by autonomous hierarchical dynamics in the sensorium.
Variation and Trends in the Documentation of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in GWTG-Stroke Hospitals

Background—Although National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is an important prognostic variable, it is often incompletely documented in clinical registries, such as Get With The Guidelines (GWTG)–Stroke. We describe trends in NIHSS documentation by GWTG-Stroke hospitals, identify patient-level and hospital-level factors associated with documentation, and determine the degree to which the reporting of NIHSS is potentially biased. Methods and Results—We analyzed NIHSS documentation in 1 184 288 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to 1704 GWTG-Stroke hospitals between 2003 and 2012. We used multivariable logistic regression models to identify hospital-level and patient-level predictors of NIHSS documentation. We examined the relationship between hospital-level NIHSS documentation rates and observed NIHSS scores to determine whether the reporting of NIHSS data was subject to selection bias. The overall NIHSS documentation rate was 56.1%; the median NIHSS was 4 (interquartile range, 2–9). Between 2003 and 2012, mean hospital-level NIHSS documentation increased dramatically from 27% to 70% (P<0.0001). Documentation was higher in patients who arrived by ambulance, who arrived soon after onset, and were treated at larger, primary stroke centers. Hospital-level NIHSS documentation rates and NIHSS scores were modestly inversely correlated (r=−0.207; P<0.0001), suggesting that NIHSS data from hospitals with low documentation were shifted toward higher values. In sensitivity analysis, the degree of bias in NIHSS reporting was reduced in more recent years (2011–2012) when NIHSS documentation was noticeably better. Conclusions—Documentation of NIHSS is higher in patients who are thrombolysis candidates. Evidence of modest bias in NIHSS scores was observed but this has lessened as the documentation of NIHSS has improved in recent years.
Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminth Burden and Their Correlation with Anemia in Children Attending Primary Schools in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Background Anaemia reduces cognitive potential in school children, retards their growth and predisposes them to other diseases. As there is a paucity of data on the current burden of P. falciparum, S. mansoni and soil transmitted helminths (STH) infections and their correlation with schoolchildren’s anemia in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we collect these data. Methods This study reports baseline data collected from a randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of IPT with SP and SP-PQ on anemia and malaria morbidity in Congolese schoolchildren (Trial registration: NCT01722539; PACTR201211000449323). S. mansoni and STH infections were assessed using kato-katz technique. Malaria infection and hemoglobin concentration were assessed using Blood smear and Hemocontrol device, respectively. Results A total of 616 primary schoolchildren from 4 to 13 years old were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infection was 18.5% (95%CI:15.6–21.9). Amongst those infected, 24 (21%), 40 (35.1%), 40 (35.1%), 10 (8.8%), had light, moderate, heavy, very high malaria parasite density, respectively. Above 9 years of age (p = 0.02), male and history of fever (p = 0.04) were both associated with malaria infection. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 6.4% (95%CI:4.4–9.1). Girls were associated with S. mansoni infection (p = 0.04). T. trichiura was the most prevalent STH infection (26.3%), followed by A. lumbricoides (20.1%). Co-infection with malaria-S. mansoni and malaria-STH was, respectively, 1.5% (CI95%:0.7–3.3) and 6.4% (CI95% 4.4–9.1). The prevalence of anemia was found to be 41.6% (95%CI:37.7–45.6) and anemia was strongly related with Plasmodium ssp infection (aOR:4.1; CI95%:2.6–6.5;p<0.001) and S. mansoni infection (aOR:3.3;CI95%:1.4–7.8;p<0.01). Conclusion Malaria and S. mansoni infection were strongly associated with high prevalence of anemia in schoolchildren. Therefore, specific school-based interventions, such as intermittent preventive treatment or prophylaxis, LLITN distribution, anthelminthic mass treatment and micronutrient supplementation are needed to improve school children’s health.
Latency-Based Anycast Geolocation: Algorithms, Software, and Data Sets

Use of IP-layer anycast has increased in the last few years beyond the DNS realm. Existing measurement techniques to identify and enumerate anycast replicas exploit specifics of the DNS protocol, which limits their applicability to this particular service. In this paper, we propose and thoroughly validate a protocol-agnostic technique for anycast replicas discovery and geolocation. Furthermore, we also provide the community with open-source software and data sets allowing others to replicate our experimental results, potentially facilitating the development of new techniques such as ours. In particular, our proposed method achieves thorough enumeration and city-level geolocalization of anycast instances from a set of known vantage points. The algorithm features an iterative workflow, pipelining enumeration (an optimization problem using latency as an input), and geolocalization (a classification problem using side channel information, such as city population) of anycast replicas. Results of a thorough validation campaign show our algorithm to be robust to measurement noise, and very lightweight as it requires only a handful of latency measurements.
Early rebleeding and death at 6 weeks in alcoholic cirrhotic patients with acute variceal bleeding treated with emergency endoscopic injection sclerotherapy.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the incidence of rebleeding and death at 6 weeks after a first episode of acute variceal haemorrhage (AVH) treated by emergency endoscopic sclerotherapy in a large cohort of alcoholic cirrhotic patients. METHODS From January 1984 to December 2006, 310 alcoholic cirrhotic patients (242 men, 68 women; mean age 51.7 years) with AVH underwent 786 endoscopic variceal injection treatments (342 emergency, 444 elective) during 919 endoscopy sessions in the first 6 weeks after the first variceal bleed. Endoscopic control of initial bleeding, variceal rebleeding and survival at 6 weeks were recorded. RESULTS Endoscopic intervention controlled AVH in 304 of 310 patients (98.1%). Seventy-five patients (24.2%) rebled, 38 (12.3%) within 5 days and 37 (11.9%) within 6 weeks. No patient scored as Child-Pugh A died. Seventy-seven (24.8%) Child-Pugh B and C patients died, 29 (9.3%) within 5 days and 48 (15.4%) between 6 and 42 days. Mortality increased exponentially as the Child-Pugh score increased, reaching 80% when the score exceeded 13. CONCLUSION Despite initial control of variceal haemorrhage, 1 in 4 patients (24.2%) rebled within 6 weeks. Survival at 6 weeks was 75.2% and was influenced by the severity of liver failure, with most deaths occurring in Child-Pugh grade C patients.
Intuitive Numbers Guide Decisions

Measuring reaction times to number comparisons is thought to reveal a processing stage in elementary numerical cognition linked to internal, imprecise representations of number magnitudes. These intuitive representations of the mental number line have been demonstrated across species and human development but have been little explored in decision making. This paper develops and tests hypotheses about the influence of such evolutionarily ancient, intuitive numbers on human decisions. We demonstrate that individuals with more precise mental-number-line representations are higher in numeracy (number skills) consistent with previous research with children. Individuals with more precise representations (compared to those with less precise representations) also were more likely to choose larger, later amounts over smaller, immediate amounts, particularly with a larger proportional difference between the two monetary outcomes. In addition, they were more likely to choose an option with a larger proportional but smaller absolute difference compared to those with less precise representations. These results are consistent with intuitive number representations underlying: a) perceived differences between numbers, b) the extent to which proportional differences are weighed in decisions, and, ultimately, c) the valuation of decision options. Human decision processes involving numbers important to health and financial matters may be rooted in elementary, biological processes shared with other species.
The mixing time of Glauber dynamics for coloring regular trees

We consider Metropolis Glauber dynamics for sampling proper q‐colorings of the n‐vertex complete b‐ary tree when 3 ≤ q ≤ b/(2lnb). We give both upper and lower bounds on the mixing time. Our upper bound is nO(b/ log b) and our lower bound is nΩ(b/(q log b)), where the constants implicit in the O() and Ω() notation do not depend upon n, q or b. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 2010
Operational Risk - Scenario Analysis

Operational risk management and measurement has been paid an increasing attention in last years. The main two reasons are the Basel II requirements that were to be complied with by all international active financial institutions by the end of 2006 and recent severe operational risk loss events. This paper focuses on operational risk measurement techniques and on economic capital estimation methods. A data sample of operational losses provided by an anonymous Central European bank is analyzed using several approaches. Multiple statistical concepts such as the Loss Distribution Approach or the Extreme Value Theory are considered. One of the methods used for operational risk management is a scenario analysis. Under this method, custom plausible loss events defined in a particular scenario are merged with the original data sample and their impact on capital estimates and on the financial institution as a whole is evaluated. Two main problems are assessed in this paper – what is the most appropriate statistical method to measure and model operational loss data distribution and what is the impact of hypothetical plausible events on the financial institution. The g&h distribution was evaluated to be the most suitable one for operational risk modeling because its results are consistent even while using a scenario analysis method. The method based on the combination of historical loss events modeling and scenario analysis provides reasonable capital estimates for the financial institution and allows to measure impact of very extreme events and also to mitigate operational risk exposure.
Single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis of chromosomal instability patterns discriminates rectal adenomas from carcinomas

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard treatment for rectal cancer, while transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a recently introduced surgical approach for the treatment of rectal adenomas. Incorrect preoperative staging before TEM is a problem. To identify genetic changes that might correlate with tumour stage and could lead to optimized treatment selection we performed a genome‐wide chromosomal instability search in a homogeneous, clinical cohort of rectal tumours. 78 rectal tumours during different clinical stages were analysed with 10K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. Logistic regression was performed to build a quantitative model of specific chromosomal aberrations. Overall, most cases (95%) had one or more chromosomal aberrations. We observed a clear correlation between the total number of aberrations and the different tumour stages. Specifically, the chromosomal events: gain of 8q22–24, 13q and 20q, and loss of 17p and 18q12–22, were far more abundant in carcinoma than in adenoma. In adenoma fractions from cases with a carcinoma (infiltrating at least in the submucosa), twice the amount of such ‘malignant aberrations’ was observed, compared to pure adenomas. Furthermore, combined aberrations such as gain of 13q and loss of 18q were only found in adenomatous fractions of carcinomas and not in benign lesions. Based on these five genomic events associated with carcinoma, a clear distinction between adenoma and carcinoma tissue could be made. These data should be validated further in order that they may be used in preoperative staging of rectal tumours. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of temperature rise in the pulp chamber with different light curing units: An in-vitro study

Aims/Objectives: This in vitro study was designed to measure and compare the temperature rise in the pulp chamber with different light curing units. Materials and Methods: The study was done in two settings-in-vitro and in-vivo simulation. In in-vitro setting, 3mm and 6mm acrylic spacers with 4mm tip diameter thermocouple was used and six groups were formed according to the light curing source- 3 Quartz-Tungsten-Halogen (QTH) units and 3 Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) units. For the LED units, three modes of curing like pulse-cure mode, fast mode and ramp mode were used. For in-vivo simulation, 12 caries free human third molar tooth with fused root were used. K-type thermocouple with 1 mm tip diameter was used. Occlusal cavity was prepared, etched, rinsed with water and blot dried; bonding agent was applied and incremental curing of composite was done. Thermal emission for each light curing agent was noted. Results: Temperature rise was very minimal in LED light cure units than in QTH light cure units in both the settings. Temperature rise was minimal at 6mm distance when compared to 3 mm distance. Among the various modes, fast mode produces the less temperature rise. Temperature rise in all the light curing units was well within the normal range of pulpal physiology. Conclusion: Temperature rise caused due to light curing units does not result in irreversible pulpal damage.