Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coding Against Deletions in Oblivious and Online Models

We consider binary error correcting codes when errors are deletions. A basic challenge concerning deletion codes is determining <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}_{0}^{(adv)}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, the <italic>zero-rate threshold of adversarial deletions</italic>, defined to be the supremum of all <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for which there exists a code family with rate bounded away from 0 capable of correcting a fraction <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of adversarial deletions. A recent construction of deletion-correcting codes shows that <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}_{0}^{(adv)} \ge \sqrt {2}-1$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and the trivial upper bound, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}_{0}^{(adv)}\le {1}/{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, is the best known. Perhaps surprisingly, we do not know whether or not <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}_{0}^{(adv)} = 1/2$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. In this work, to gain further insight into deletion codes, we explore two related error models: oblivious deletions and online deletions, which are in between random and adversarial deletions in power. In the oblivious model, the channel can inflict an <italic>arbitrary</italic> pattern of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${pn}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> deletions, picked without knowledge of the codeword. We prove the existence of binary codes of positive rate that can correct any fraction <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p} < 1$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of oblivious deletions, establishing that the associated zero-rate threshold <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}_{0}^{(obliv)}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> equals 1. For online deletions, where the channel decides whether to delete bit <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${x}_{{i}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> based only on knowledge of bits <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${x}_{1}{x}_{2} {\dots }{x}_{{i}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, define the <italic>deterministic zero-rate threshold for online deletions</italic> <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}_{0}^{(on,{d})}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> to be the supremum of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for which there exist deterministic codes against an online channel causing <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${pn}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> deletions with low <italic>average</italic> probability of error. That is, the probability that a randomly chosen codeword is decoded incorrectly is small. We prove <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}_{0}^{(adv)}={1}/{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> if and only if <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}_{0}^{(on,{d})}={1}/{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>.
Spatial localization of saccade targets. I. Compensation for stimulation-induced perturbations in eye position.

1. Monkeys were trained to look to brief visual targets presented in a completely darkened room. On some trials, after the visual target disappeared but before a saccade to the target could be initiated, the eyes were driven to another position in the orbit by electrical stimulation of the superior colliculus. Retinocentric models of the saccadic system predict that a saccade with a predetermined distance and direction based entirely on retinal error will occur. If this were the case, gaze would miss the target location by a distance and direction equal to the vector of the stimulation-induced movement. Spatial models assume that the retinal error signal will be combined with information about the change in eye position produced by stimulation and predict that the animal will look to the position of the target in space. 2. Results confirm the predictions of spatial models. Animals compensated for the stimulation-induced perturbation by looking to the position of the target in space. The result predicted by retinocentric models-a saccade with a direction and amplitude based on retinal error alone-was never observed. 3. The eye movement that compensated for the change in eye position produced by stimulation was a saccade, not a passive, lowvelocity movement to an orbital position of mechanical equilibrium established by a tonic pattern of motoneuron activation specified by the visual target. This indicates that a new saccade command, based on stored information about the location of the retinal image and information about the new position of the eyes, had been issued. Computation of the vector of the compensatory saccade does not necessarily increase the latency of target acquisition. The interval between the end of a stimulation-induced saccade and the beginning of the compensatory saccade was frequently 20 ms or less, permitting the animal to acquire the target with a normal latency.
Effectiveness of abatacept for patients with Sjögren’s syndrome associated with rheumatoid arthritis. An open label, multicenter, one-year, prospective study: ROSE (Rheumatoid Arthritis with Orencia Trial toward Sjögren’s syndrome Endocrinopathy) trial

Abstract Objective: To clarify the efficacy and safety of abatacept for secondary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: The primary endpoint of this open-labeled, prospective, observational multicenter study for secondary SS with RA was the remission rate of Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) at 52 weeks after initiation of abatacept. The secondary endpoints included Saxon’s test and Schirmer’s test. Adverse events and adherence rate during the study period were also analyzed. Results: Thirty-six patients (all females) were enrolled in this study. The mean SDAI decreased significantly from 20.6 ± 11.2 (±SD) at baseline to 10.0 ± 10.5 at 52 weeks (p < 0.05). Patients with SDAI remission increased from 0 (0 week) to 12 patients (33.3%) at 52 weeks. Saliva volume assessed by Saxon’s test increased significantly from 2136 ± 1809 (0 week) to 2397 ± 1878 (24 weeks) mg/2 min (n = 34, p < 0.05). Saliva volume increased significantly from 2945 ± 2090 (0 week) to 3419 ± 2121 (24 weeks) mg/2 min in 11 patients with Greenspan grade 1 or 2 of labial salivary gland biopsy (p < 0.05), but no change was noted in 18 patients with Greenspan grade 3 or 4. Tear volume by Schirmer’s test increased significantly from 4.2 ± 4.8 (0 week) to 6.4 ± 7.8 (24 weeks) mm/5 min (n = 30, p < 0.05). The adherence rate to abatacept was 80.6% (29/36) over the 52-week period. Twelve adverse events occurred in 10 of the 36 patients, and 7 of these events were infections. Conclusion: Abatacept seems to be effective for both RA and SS related manifestations.
Formation of Spindle Poles by Dynein/Dynactin-Dependent Transport of Numa

NuMA is a large nuclear protein whose relocation to the spindle poles is required for bipolar mitotic spindle assembly. We show here that this process depends on directed NuMA transport toward microtubule minus ends powered by cytoplasmic dynein and its activator dynactin. Upon nuclear envelope breakdown, large cytoplasmic aggregates of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged NuMA stream poleward along spindle fibers in association with the actin-related protein 1 (Arp1) protein of the dynactin complex and cytoplasmic dynein. Immunoprecipitations and gel filtration demonstrate the assembly of a reversible, mitosis-spe-cific complex of NuMA with dynein and dynactin. NuMA transport is required for spindle pole assembly and maintenance, since disruption of the dynactin complex (by increasing the amount of the dynamitin subunit) or dynein function (with an antibody) strongly inhibits NuMA translocation and accumulation and disrupts spindle pole assembly.
Development of a Typology of Antidepressant Users: The Role of Mental Health Disorders and Substance Use.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Antidepressants constitute one of the most consumed classes of psychotropic medication. This study aims to identify a typology of users based on their individual characteristics, such as presence of a mental disorder and use of other psychotropic medication during the last year. METHODS Antidepressant use for residents in the epidemiological zone of South-West Montreal aged 15 years and older was documented in 2009, 2011, and 2013. Among the 2433 participants from the initial study, 249 had used antidepressants (10%). A cluster analysis, validated with Chi-square tests and Cramer's V measure, was conducted with this sample. The longitudinal profile of the clusters was examined using curve clustering. RESULTS Based on clinical variables measured at Time 1, four types of antidepressant users were identified (p<0,001; 0,58 ≤ V ≤ 0,81): depressed users without anxiety (15%), anxio-depressive users with substance dependence and polypharmacy (26%), depressed users with polypharmacy and being treated by a psychiatrist (31%) and users without mental health disorders (28%). Follow-ups two and four years later indicate a higher proportion of participants with symptoms of depression persisting over time within the cohort of persons having concurrent anxiety and substance dependence. CONCLUSIONS Results help improve knowledge about the context of antidepressant use in order to plan appropriate interventions. Depressed persons without anxiety appear to receive treatment from general practitioners, while those with comorbid psychotic disorders and depression may require specialized treatment from a psychiatrist. Anxio-depressive users with substance dependence and polypharmacy may require integrated services from different specialized networks in order to counter symptoms related to comorbidity.
The PSC-17: Subscale Scores, Reliability, and Factor Structure in a New National Sample

BACKGROUND: The Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 (PSC-17) is a widely used, briefer version of the PSC-35, a parent-completed measure of children’s psychosocial functioning. Despite the extensive use of the PSC-17 over the past 15 years there has not been a large-scale replication of the original derivation study. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of positive screens, reliability, and factor structure of PSC-17 scores in a new national sample and compare them with the derivation sample. METHODS: Data were collected on 80 680 pediatric outpatients, ages 4 to 15 years, whose parents filled out the PSC-17 from 2006 to 2015 via the Child Health and Development Interactive System, an electronic system that presents and scores clinical measures. RESULTS: The rates of positive screening on the overall PSC-17 (11.6%) and on the internalizing (10.4%) and attention (9.1%) subscales were comparable to rates found in the original sample, although the rate of externalizing problems (10.2%) was lower than in the derivation study. Reliability was high (internal consistency 0.89; test–retest 0.85), and a confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the original 3-factor model. CONCLUSIONS: Fifteen years after the PSC-17 was derived in a large nationally representative outpatient pediatric sample, a new and larger national sample found rates of positive screening, reliability, and factor structure that were comparable. Findings from this study support the continued use of the PSC-17 clinically as a screening tool in pediatric settings and in research.
Robust and Efficient Shape Indexing through Curvature Scale Space

The user of an image database often wishes to retrieve all images similar to the one (s)he already has. Using some features like texture, color and shape, we can associate a feature vector to every image in the database. A fast indexing method then can be used to retrieve similar images based on their associated vectors. We use the maxima of curvature zero crossing contours of Curvature Scale Space (CSS) image as a feature vector to represent the shapes of object boundary contours. The matching algorithm which compares two sets of maxima and assigns a matching value as a measure of similarity is presented in this paper. The method is robust with respect to noise, scale and orientation changes of objects. It is also capable to retrieve objects which are similar to the mirror-image of the input boundary. We introduce the aspect ratio of the CSS image as a new parameter which can be used for indexing in conjunction with other parameters like eccentricity and circularity. The method has been tested and evaluated on a prototype database of 450 images of marine animals with a vast variety of shapes with very good results. Since shape similarity is a subjective issue, in order to evaluate the method, we asked a number of volunteers to perform similarity retrieval based on shape on a randomly selected small database. We then compared the results of this experiment to the outputs of our system to the same queries and on the same database. The comparison indicated a promising performance of the system.
Collapsed Variational Inference for HDP

A wide variety of Dirichlet-multinomial 'topic' models have found interesting applications in recent years. While Gibbs sampling remains an important method of inference in such models, variational techniques have certain advantages such as easy assessment of convergence, easy optimization without the need to maintain detailed balance, a bound on the marginal likelihood, and side-stepping of issues with topic-identifiability. The most accurate variational technique thus far, namely collapsed variational latent Dirichlet allocation, did not deal with model selection nor did it include inference for hyperparameters. We address both issues by generalizing the technique, obtaining the first variational algorithm to deal with the hierarchical Dirichlet process and to deal with hyperparameters of Dirichlet variables. Experiments show a significant improvement in accuracy.
Eponymous Entrepreneurs ⇤

New ventures face significant challenges reducing information asymmetries regarding the underlying quality of the owner and firm in order to attract customers, investors, and suppliers. We explore a visible choice that all entrepreneurs make: selecting a name for their venture. We seek to explain why some entrepreneurs choose to name their firm after themselves (eponymy), by developing a formal signaling model. In the context of our data, the model makes three main empirical predictions: (1) The incidence of eponymy will be low; (2) Eponymous firms will perform better than other firms; and (3) These e↵ects will be intensified when the entrepreneur’s name is rare. Using data on over 485,000 firms and 5 million owners from Europe and the United States, we find support for all of these predictions. Our analyses include owner-fixed-e↵ects models and industry subsamples, and we consider alternative explanations related to family businesses, ethnicity, and name switching.
Persistence of RNAi-Mediated Knockdown in Drosophila Complicates Mosaic Analysis Yet Enables Highly Sensitive Lineage Tracing

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a powerful way of reducing gene function in Drosophila melanogaster tissues. By expressing synthetic short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) using the Gal4/UAS system, knockdown is efficiently achieved in specific tissues or in clones of marked cells. Here we show that knockdown by shRNAs is so potent and persistent that even transient exposure of cells to shRNAs can reduce gene function in their descendants. When using the FLP-out Gal4 method, in some instances we observed unmarked “shadow RNAi” clones adjacent to Gal4-expressing clones, which may have resulted from brief Gal4 expression following recombination but prior to cell division. Similarly, Gal4 driver lines with dynamic expression patterns can generate shadow RNAi cells after their activity has ceased in those cells. Importantly, these effects can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the cell autonomy of knockdown phenotypes. We have investigated the basis of this phenomenon and suggested experimental designs for eliminating ambiguities in interpretation. We have also exploited the persistence of shRNA-mediated knockdown to design a sensitive lineage-tracing method, i-TRACE, which is capable of detecting even low levels of past reporter expression. Using i-TRACE, we demonstrate transient infidelities in the expression of some cell-identity markers near compartment boundaries in the wing imaginal disc.
An Iterative Image Registration Technique with an Application to Stereo Vision

Image registration finds a variety of applications in computer vision. Unfortunately, traditional image registration techniques tend to be costly. We present a new image registration technique that makes use of the spatial intensity gradient of the images to find a good match using a type of Newton-Raphson iteration. Our technique is taster because it examines far fewer potential matches between the images than existing techniques Furthermore, this registration technique can be generalized to handle rotation, scaling and shearing. We show how our technique can be adapted tor use in a stereo vision system.
Coastal Subsidence Monitoring Associated with Land Reclamation Using the Point Target Based SBAS-InSAR Method: A Case Study of Shenzhen, China

Shenzhen, the first special economic zone of China, has witnessed earth-shaking changes since the late 1980s. In the past 35 years, about 80 km2 of land has been reclaimed from the sea in Shenzhen. In order to investigate coastal vertical land motions associated with land reclamation, we proposed an elaborated Point Target (PT) based Small Baseline Subset InSAR (SBAS-InSAR) strategy to process an ENVISAT ASAR ascending and descending orbits dataset both acquired from 2007 to 2010. This new strategy can not only select high density PTs but also generate a reliable InSAR measurement with full spatial resolution. The inter-comparison between InSAR-derived deformation velocities from different orbits shows a good self-consistency of the results extracted by the elaborated PT-based SBAS-InSAR strategy. The InSAR measurements show that the reclaimed land is undergoing remarkable coastal subsidence (up to 25 mm/year), especially at the Shenzhen Airport, Bao’an Center, Qianhai Bay and Shenzhen Bay. By analyzing the results together with land reclamation evolution, we conclude that the ground deformation is expected to continue in the near future, which will amplify the regional sea level rise.
Rac1 signalling in the Drosophila larval cellular immune response

The Drosophila larval cellular immune response involves cells (hemocytes) that can be recruited from a hematopoietic organ located behind the brain, as well as a sessile population of cells found just underneath the larval cuticle arranged in a segmental pattern. By using two Rac1 GTPase effector-loop mutants together with epistasis studies, we show that Rac1 requires the Drosophila melanogaster Jun N-terminal kinase Basket (Bsk), as well as stable actin formation to recruit the sessile hemocyte population. We show that actin stabilization is necessary for Rac1-induced hemocyte activation by lowering cofilin (encoded by the twinstar gene tsr) expression in blood cells. Removing Bsk by RNAi suppressed Rac1-induced release of sessile hemocytes. RNAi against Bsk also suppressed Rac1 induction of lamellocytes, a specialized population of hemocytes necessary for the encapsulation of invading pathogens. Furthermore, Rac1 and Bsk are involved in regulating the formation of actin- and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-rich placodes in hemocytes. Lastly, Rac1 and Bsk are both required for the proper encapsulation of eggs from the parasitoid wasp Leptipolina boulardi. From these data we conclude that Rac1 induces Bsk activity and stable actin formation for cellular immune activation, leading to sessile hemocyte release and an increase in the number of circulating hemocytes.
Use of Color Doppler Ultrasonography to Measure Thyroid Blood Flow and Differentiate Graves' Disease from Painless Thyroiditis

Backgrounds: Color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) has not yet been established as a method to investigate the pathogenesis of thyrotoxicosis. Objectives: Our first objective was to determine whether the measurement of peak systolic blood-flow velocity in the superior thyroid artery (STV) and thyroid tissue blood flow (TBF) using CDU could differentiate Graves' disease (GD) from painless thyroiditis (PT). The second objective was to examine the factors mediating increased blood flow to the thyroid gland in GD. Methods: Recruited patients had untreated GD or PT and visited the Department of Internal Medicine (I), Osaka Medical College, between April 1, 2006 and May 31, 2010. Age, gender, blood pressure, pulse rate, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, tri-iodothyronine, TSH receptor antibody and thyroid volume were evaluated in patients. In addition, bilateral measurements of STV, TBF and peak systolic velocity in the common carotid artery (CCV) were also performed. TBF was quantified by calculating the ratio of blood-flow pixels to total pixels in the region of interest using sagittal section images of the thyroid gland. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the ability of STV and TBF measurements to differentiate GD from PT. Results: For the average of STV measured on both sides, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.956. For the average of TBF measured on both sides, the AUC was 0.920. At an average STV cut-off value of 43 cm/s, the sensitivity to discriminate GD from PT was 0.87 and the specificity was 1.00. At an average TBF cut-off value of 3.8%, the sensitivity was 0.71 and the specificity was 1.00. In the GD group, neither blood pressure nor pulse rate correlated with the average STV or TBF. Moreover, there was no correlation between STV and CCV or between TBF and CCV on either side. However, STV was correlated with TBF (right side: R = 0.47; left side: R = 0.52). Conclusions: The results demonstrate that STV and TBF are useful for differentiating GD from PT. Furthermore, the increased STV and TBF found in GD are not related to hyperthyroidism-induced increases in systolic blood pressure, pulse rate or CCV.
Evaluation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as probiotic agent with aflatoxin B1 adsorption ability for use in poultry feedstuffs

In this study the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) removal capacity, the tolerance to salivary and gastrointestinal conditions, autoaggregation and coaggregation with pathogenic bacteria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from broiler feces, were evaluated. Only four of twelve isolated strains were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae using molecular techniques. The results obtained in AFB1 binding studies indicated that the amount of AFB1 removed was both strain and mycotoxin-concentration dependent. Therefore, a theoretical model was applied in order to select the most efficient strain to remove AFB1 in a wide range of mycotoxin concentration. The results indicated that S. cerevisiae 08 and S. cerevisiae 01 strains were the most efficient microorganisms in the mycotoxin removal. Viability on simulated salivary and gastrointestinal conditions was investigated and S. cerevisiae 08 strain showed the best results, achieving 98% of total survival whereas S. cerevisiae 01 reached only 75%. Autoaggregation and coaggregation assays showed S. cerevisiae 08 as the most appropriate strain, mainly because it was the unique strain able to coaggregate with the four bacterial pathogens assayed. Consequently, S. cerevisiae 08 is the best candidate for future in vivo studies useful to prevent aflatoxicosis. Further quantitative in vitro and in vivo studies are required to evaluate the real impact of yeast-binding activity on the bioavailability of AFB1 in poultry. However, this study could be useful in selecting efficient strains in terms of AFB1 binding and provide an important contribution to research into microorganisms with potential probiotic effects on the host.