Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Asymptotic Behavior of Variance of PLRS Decompositions

A positive linear recurrence sequence is of the form $H_{n+1} = c_1 H_n + \cdots + c_L H_{n+1-L}$ with each $c_i \ge 0$ and $c_1 c_L > 0$, with appropriately chosen initial conditions. There is a notion of a legal decomposition (roughly, given a sum of terms in the sequence we cannot use the recurrence relation to reduce it) such that every positive integer has a unique legal decomposition using terms in the sequence; this generalizes the Zeckendorf decomposition, which states any positive integer can be written uniquely as a sum of non-adjacent Fibonacci numbers. Previous work proved not only that a decomposition exists, but that the number of summands $K_n(m)$ in legal decompositions of $m \in [H_n, H_{n+1})$ converges to a Gaussian. Using partial fractions and generating functions it is easy to show the mean and variance grow linearly in $n$: $a n + b + o(1)$ and $C n + d + o(1)$, respectively; the difficulty is proving $a$ and $C$ are positive. Previous approaches relied on delicate analysis of polynomials related to the generating functions and characteristic polynomials, and is algebraically cumbersome. We introduce new, elementary techniques that bypass these issues. The key insight is to use induction and bootstrap bounds through conditional probability expansions to show the variance is unbounded, and hence $C > 0$ (the mean is handled easily through a simple counting argument).
Carvedilol—NSBB of Choice in All Cirrhotics? Short Title: Carvedilol for Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. A portal pressure gradient (estimated by the hepatic venous pressure gradient or HVPG) of 10 mmHg or more defines the presence of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) and puts a patient at risk of clinical decompensation. [1,2] The HVPG threshold required for variceal bleeding is 12 mmHg. [3] Several longitudinal studies have demonstrated that if the HVPG decreases below 12 mmHg by means of pharmacological treatment[4] or spontaneously due to an improvement in liver disease,[5] variceal bleeding is totally prevented. Even if this target is not achieved, a substantial decrease in portal pressure from baseline levels (>20%) offers almost complete protection from variceal bleeding and decreases the risk of developing ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, and death. [4] Current guidelines recommend using either a nonselective beta‐adrenergic blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic band ligation (EBL) as firstline therapy for the prevention of first bleeding and a combination of NSBB and EBL as firstline therapy for the prevention of recurrent bleeding. [6]
KNOTTED1 Cofactors, BLH12 and BLH14, Regulate Internode Patterning and Vein Anastomosis in Maize[OPEN]

Maize BLH transcription factors maintain the intercalary meristems to ensure sufficient internode elongation and prevent vein anastomosis to pattern the scattered veins in monocot stems. Monocot stems lack the vascular cambium and instead have characteristic structures in which intercalary meristems generate internodes and veins remain separate and scattered. However, developmental processes of these unique structures have been poorly described. BELL1-like homeobox (BLH) transcription factors (TFs) are known to heterodimerize with KNOTTED1-like homeobox TFs to play crucial roles in shoot meristem maintenance, but their functions are elusive in monocots. We found that maize (Zea mays) BLH12 and BLH14 have redundant but important roles in stem development. BLH12/14 interact with KNOTTED1 (KN1) in vivo and accumulate in overlapping domains in shoot meristems, young stems, and provascular bundles. Similar to kn1 loss-of-function mutants, blh12 blh14 (blh12/14) double mutants fail to maintain axillary meristems. Unique to blh12/14 is an abnormal tassel branching and precocious internode differentiation that results in dwarfism and reduced veins in stems. Micro-computed tomography observation of vascular networks revealed that blh12/14 double mutants had reduced vein number due to fewer intermediate veins in leaves and precocious anastomosis in young stems. Based on these results, we propose two functions of BLH12/14 during stem development: (1) maintaining intercalary meristems that accumulate KN1 and prevent precocious internode differentiation and (2) preventing precocious anastomosis of provascular bundles in young stems to ensure the production of sufficient independent veins.
Immunological and serological diversity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: gonococcal serotypes and their relationship with immunotypes

Strains of gonococcus were shown to be immunologically heterologous. Serum bactericidal activity generally correlated with induced immunity to gonococcal challenge as detected by the guinea pig subcutaneous chamber model. Sera devoid of bactericidal activity reflected the lack of cross-protection in subcutaneous chambers. Factors affecting the bactericidal assay described in this report include (i) source of complement, (ii) concentration of test antigen and complement activity, and (iii) presence of calcium and magnesium ions and bovine serum albumin in diluent. Poor correlation was observed between agglutinating activity of the immune sera and protection.
A Model of Salmonella Colitis with Features of Diarrhea in SLC11A1 Wild-Type Mice

Background Mice do not get diarrhea when orally infected with S. enterica, but pre-treatment with oral aminoglycosides makes them susceptible to Salmonella colitis. However, genetically susceptible ItyS mice (Nramp1G169D allele) die from systemic infection before they develop diarrhea, so a new model is needed to study the pathogenesis of diarrhea. We pretreated ItyR mice (Nramp1G169) with oral kanamycin prior to infecting them with virulent S. Typhimurium strain 14028s in order to study Salmonella-induced diarrhea. We used both a visual scoring system and the measurement of fecal water content to measure diarrhea. BALB/c.D2Nramp1 congenic started losing weight 5 days post-infection and they began to die from colitis 10–14 days after infection. A SPI-1 (invA) mutant caused cecal, but not colonic inflammation and did not cause diarrhea. A phoP- mutant did not cause manifestations of diarrhea in either normal or NADPH-deficient (gp91phox) mice. However, strain 14028s caused severe colitis and diarrhea in gp91phox-deficient mice on an ItyR background. pmr A and F mutants, which are less virulent in orally infected BALB/c mice, were fully virulent in this model of colitis. Conclusions S. enterica must be able to invade the colonic epithelium and to persist in the colon in order to cause colitis with manifestations of diarrhea. The NADPH oxidase is not required for diarrhea in Salmonella colitis. Furthermore, a Salmonella phoP mutant can be cleared from the colon by non-oxidative host defenses.
Background Ionizing Radiation and the Risk of Childhood Cancer: A Census-Based Nationwide Cohort Study

Background Exposure to medium or high doses of ionizing radiation is a known risk factor for cancer in children. The extent to which low-dose radiation from natural sources contributes to the risk of childhood cancer remains unclear. Objectives In a nationwide census-based cohort study, we investigated whether the incidence of childhood cancer was associated with background radiation from terrestrial gamma and cosmic rays. Methods Children < 16 years of age in the Swiss National Censuses in 1990 and 2000 were included. The follow-up period lasted until 2008, and incident cancer cases were identified from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry. A radiation model was used to predict dose rates from terrestrial and cosmic radiation at locations of residence. Cox regression models were used to assess associations between cancer risk and dose rates and cumulative dose since birth. Results Among 2,093,660 children included at census, 1,782 incident cases of cancer were identified including 530 with leukemia, 328 with lymphoma, and 423 with a tumor of the central nervous system (CNS). Hazard ratios for each millisievert increase in cumulative dose of external radiation were 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.05) for any cancer, 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.08) for leukemia, 1.01 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.05) for lymphoma, and 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.08) for CNS tumors. Adjustment for a range of potential confounders had little effect on the results. Conclusions Our study suggests that background radiation may contribute to the risk of cancer in children, including leukemia and CNS tumors. Citation Spycher BD, Lupatsch JE, Zwahlen M, Röösli M, Niggli F, Grotzer MA, Rischewski J, Egger M, Kuehni CE, for the Swiss Pediatric Oncology Group and the Swiss National Cohort. 2015. Background ionizing radiation and the risk of childhood cancer: a census-based nationwide cohort study. Environ Health Perspect 123:622–628; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1408548
[Learning and memory amelioration of transplantation of the neural stem cells modified with human brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene on Alzheimer disease model rat].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the memory amelioration of the Alzheimer disease (AD) model rat after being transplanted the single neural stem cells (NSC) and NSC modified with human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (hBDNF) gene. METHODS Forty SD rats were divided evenly into 4 groups randomly. The AD model rats were made by cutting unilaterally the fibria-fornix of male rats. Ten to twelve days after surgery, the genetically modified and unmodified NSC were implanted into the lateral cerebral ventricle of group III and group IV respectively. Two weeks after transplantation, the amelioration of memory impairment of the rats was detected by Morris water maze. RESULTS The average escaping latency of the group III and group IV (41.84 +/- 21.76 s, 25.23 +/- 17.06 s respectively) was shorter than that of the group II (70.91 +/- 23.67 s) (P<0.01). The percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant in group III (36.9%) and in group IV (42.0%) was higher than that in the group II (26.0%) (P<0.01). More marginal and random strategies were used in group II. The percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant in group IV was also greater than that in group III (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the average escaping latency, the percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant and the probe strategy between group IV and group I (P>0.05). More lineal and oriented strategies were used in group IV. CONCLUSION The behavioral amelioration of AD model rat was obtained by transplanting single NSC and hBDNF-gene-modified NSC. The effect of the NSC group modified with hBDNF gene is better than that of the group III.
Validity concerns and usefulness of student ratings of instruction.

The validity of student rating measures of instructional quality was severely questioned in the 1970s. By the early 1980s, however, most expert opinion viewed student rating measures as valid and as worthy of widespread use. In retrospect, older discriminant-validity concerns were not so much resolved as they were displaced from research attention by accumulating evidence for convergent validity. This article introduces a Current Issues section that gives new attention to validity concerns associated with student ratings. The section's 4 articles deal, respectively, with (a) conceptual structure (are student ratings unidimensional or multidimensional? ), (b) convergent validity (how well do ratings correlate with other indicators of effective teaching? ), (c) discriminant validity (are ratings influenced by factors other than teaching effectiveness? ), and (d) consequential validity (are ratings used effectively in personnel development and evaluation? ). Although all 4 articles favor the use of ratings, they disagree on controversial points associated with interpretation and use of ratings data.
New Constraints on the Continuum Emission Mechanism of Active Galactic Nuclei: Intensive Monitoring of NGC 7469 in the X-Ray and Ultraviolet

We have undertaken near-continuous monitoring of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 7469 in the X-ray with RXTE over a ~30 day baseline. The source shows strong variability with a root mean square (rms) amplitude of ~16% and peak-to-peak variations of a factor of order 2. Simultaneous data over this period were obtained in the ultraviolet (UV) using IUE, making this the most intensive X-ray UV/X-ray variability campaign performed for any active galaxy. Comparison of the continuum light curves reveals very similar amplitudes of variability but different variability characteristics, with the X-rays showing much more rapid variations. The data are not strongly correlated at zero lag. The largest absolute value of the correlation coefficient occurs for an anticorrelation between the two bands, with the X-ray variations leading the UV by ~4 days. The largest positive correlation is for the ultraviolet to lead the X-rays by ~4 days. Neither option appears to be compatible with any simple interband transfer function. The peak positive correlation at ~4 days occurs because the more prominent peaks in the UV light curve appear to lead those in the X-rays by this amount. However, the minima of the light curves are near simultaneous. These observations provide new constraints on theoretical models of the central regions of active galactic nuclei. Models in which the observed UV emission is produced solely by reradiation of absorber X-rays are ruled out by our data, as are those in which the X-rays are produced solely by Compton upscattering of the observed UV component by a constant distribution of particles. New or more complex models must be sought to explain the data. We require at least two variability mechanisms, which have no simple relationship. We briefly explore means by which these observations could be reconciled with theoretical models.
Adverse drug events and medication errors in psychiatry: Methodological issues regarding identification and classification

Adverse drug events and medication errors have received extensive study recently in a variety of clinical populations, though compared to many other areas relatively little work has focused on this area in psychiatry, especially with respect to the contribution of error to harm. The goal of this paper is to discuss methodological issues around measurement of medication safety in psychiatric patients. Against the background of a systems approach, a modern perspective of error management is discussed, and a multidimensional procedure for detection and classification of incidents related to the medication process is presented. This method has proven successful in non-psychiatric settings yielding the current best estimate of error rates and providing insight into the underlying causes. While this general approach can be adapted to the psychiatric setting, a number of issues make measurement especially challenging in psychiatry. These include the fluctuating course of psychiatric disorders, reduced patient adherence to the medication process, adverse effects which are often similar to symptoms of the underlying disorder, the frequent use of wide dose intervals depending on the clinical situation, and the presence of many drug–drug interactions. Data collected by means of the presented approach provide a basis for the development of effective strategies to reduce the risk of medication errors and thus improve patient safety in psychiatric care.
Blurs and perfect image restoration

Despite its practical importance in image processing and computer vision, blind blur identification and restoration has so far been addressed under restrictive assumptions such as all-pole stationary image models blurred by zero-or minimum-phase PSFs. Relying upon diversity (sufficient number of multiple blurred images), we develop blind FIR blur identification and order determination schemes. Apart from a minimal persistence of excitation condition (also present with non-blind setups), the inaccessible input is allowed to be deterministic or random and of unknown color or distribution. With the blurs also satisfying a certain co-primeness condition, we establish existence and uniqueness results which guarantee that single-input/multiple-output FIR blurred images can be restored perfectly but blindly using linear FIR filters. The resulting direct blind restoration filters by-pass the blur identification step and work well in higher SNRs. In lower SNRs better results are achieved by first identifying the blurs and then constructing the MMSE solution.
III–V nanowire arrays: growth and light interaction

Semiconductor nanowire arrays are reproducible and rational platforms for the realization of high performing designs of light emitting diodes and photovoltaic devices. In this paper we present an overview of the growth challenges of III–V nanowire arrays obtained by molecular beam epitaxy and the design of III–V nanowire arrays on silicon for solar cells. While InAs tends to grow in a relatively straightforward manner on patterned (111)Si substrates, GaAs nanowires remain more challenging; success depends on the cleaning steps, annealing procedure, pattern design and mask thickness. Nanowire arrays might also be used for next generation solar cells. We discuss the photonic effects derived from the vertical configuration of nanowires standing on a substrate and how these are beneficial for photovoltaics. Finally, due to the special interaction of light with standing nanowires we also show that the Raman scattering properties of standing nanowires are modified. This result is important for fundamental studies on the structural and functional properties of nanowires.
Seasonal and intra-seasonal dynamics and precursors of rainfall over northern Tanzania

The structure and variability of inter-annual and intra-seasonal circulation anomalies and their precursors are investigated over northern Tanzania. Area rainfall departures are computed in the period 1960-1990 and wet and dry years are identified. Northern Tanzania experiences bimodal rains centered on the seasons: March to May (Masika) and October to December (Vuli). Station intercorrelations in Masika are of order +0.4, whereas in Vuli correlations are of order +0.7. Using composite sequences of gridded sea surface temperatures (SST), outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and winds in the lowerand uppertroposphere, theprecursors of flood and drought are assessed. Composites are averaged for the specific season and for periods 2, 4 and 6 months prior; and the historical mean is subtracted to produce anomalies. In this way, evolution of extreme rainfall scenarios is tracked for predictive purposes. The patterns analysed show that when positive SST anomalies persist in the Indian Ocean, sympathetic negative OLR values and local rainfall enhancement are observed. Using pentad ( 5 day mean) rainfall time series for the area, wet spells are analysed for structure and evolution. ECMWF data for the peak in Vuli rainfall each year from 1986 to 1991 are averaged to form a single composite. The historical mean is subtracted from the composite to produce anomalies for the wet spell and the preceeding pentads.
Classical Novae as a Probe of the Cataclysmic Variable Population

Classical novae (CNe) are the brightest manifestation of mass transfer onto a white dwarf (WD) in a cataclysmic variable (CV). As such, they are probes of the mass transfer rate, Ṁ, and WD mass, MWD, in these interacting binaries. Our calculations of the dependence of the CN ignition mass, Mign, on Ṁ and MWD yields the recurrence times of these explosions. We show that the observed CNe orbital period distribution is consistent with the interrupted magnetic braking evolutionary scenario, in which at orbital periods Porb > 3 hr mass transfer is driven by angular momentum loss via a wind from the companion star, and at Porb < 3 hr by gravitational radiation. About 50% of CNe occur in binaries accreting at Ṁ ≃ 10-9 M☉ yr-1 with Porb = 3 - 4 hr, with the remaining 50% split evenly between Porb longer (higher Ṁ) and shorter (lower Ṁ) than this. This resolution of the relative contribution to the CN rate from different CVs tells us that 3(9) × 105 CVs with WD mass 1.0(0.6) M☉ are needed to produce one CN per year. In addition, one CN per year requires a CV birthrate of 1(2) × 10-4 yr-1 and likely ejects mass into the interstellar medium at a rate of Ṁ = 3(9) × 10-5 M☉ yr-1. Using the K-band-specific CN rate measured in external galaxies, we find a CV birthrate of 2(4) × 10-4 yr-1 per 1010 L☉,K, very similar to the luminosity specific Type Ia supernova rate in elliptical galaxies. Likewise, we predict that there should be 60-180 CVs for every 106 L☉,K in an old stellar population. The population of X-ray-identified CVs in the globular cluster 47 Tuc is similar to this number, showing no overabundance relative to the field. The observed CN Porb distribution also contains evidence for a CV population that has no period gap. These are likely systems with a strongly magnetic WD (polars) in which it has been suggested that the field interferes with the wind of the companion, limiting angular momentum losses to those of gravitational radiation and eliminating the period gap. With this reduced Ṁ, polars evolve more slowly than systems that undergo magnetic braking. Using a two-component steady state model of CV evolution, we show that the fraction of CVs that are magnetic (22%) implies a birthrate of 8% relative to nonmagnetic CVs, similar to the fraction of strongly magnetic field WDs.
Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: Impact on an Established Renal Transplant Program

The current disparity of viable organs and patients in need of a transplant has been an impetus for innovative measures. Live donor renal transplantation offers significant advantages compared with cadaveric donor transplantation: increased graft and patient survival, diminution in incidence of delayed graft function, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), and reduction in waiting time. Notwithstanding these gains live donors continue to be underutilized and account for only approximately one quarter of all renal transplants performed in the United States. It has been felt that inherent disincentives to live donation have slowed its growth. These include degree and duration of postoperative pain and convalescence, child care concerns, cosmetic concerns, and time until return to full activities and employment. In an attempt to curtail the disincentives to live donation, laparoscopic live donation (laparoscopic donor nephrectomy; LDN) was developed. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of our first 25 laparoscopic nephrectomies (performed over a 10-month period from September 1998 through July 1999) with the previous 25 standard open donor nephrectomies (ODNs) completed over the past 3 years. We conducted a retrospective review of all donor nephrectomies and recipient pairs performed over the past 3 years. End points included sex, operative time, length of stay, immediate and long-term renal function, and willingness to donate. There were no differences in demographics of the ODN versus the LDN group. The average length of stay was 2.48 ± 0.72 days for the LDN versus 4.08 ± 0.28 days for the ODN. ODN and LDN have comparable short- and long-term function with no delayed graft function and no complications. Growth of living donor transplant has increased from 16 per cent of all kidney transplants performed in 1995 to 23 per cent in 1999. We conclude that LDN is a viable alternative to the standard donor operation. LDN has had a positive impact on the donor pool by minimizing disincentives to live donation. With the initiation of our laparoscopic program the number of LDNs has increased. Presently the live donor pool is the most viable alternative to significantly increase the number of kidneys for transplantation.