Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dense Associative Memory Is Robust to Adversarial Inputs

Deep neural networks (DNNs) trained in a supervised way suffer from two known problems. First, the minima of the objective function used in learning correspond to data points (also known as rubbish examples or fooling images) that lack semantic similarity with the training data. Second, a clean input can be changed by a small, and often imperceptible for human vision, perturbation so that the resulting deformed input is misclassified by the network. These findings emphasize the differences between the ways DNNs and humans classify patterns and raise a question of designing learning algorithms that more accurately mimic human perception compared to the existing methods. Our article examines these questions within the framework of dense associative memory (DAM) models. These models are defined by the energy function, with higher-order (higher than quadratic) interactions between the neurons. We show that in the limit when the power of the interaction vertex in the energy function is sufficiently large, these models have the following three properties. First, the minima of the objective function are free from rubbish images, so that each minimum is a semantically meaningful pattern. Second, artificial patterns poised precisely at the decision boundary look ambiguous to human subjects and share aspects of both classes that are separated by that decision boundary. Third, adversarial images constructed by models with small power of the interaction vertex, which are equivalent to DNN with rectified linear units, fail to transfer to and fool the models with higher-order interactions. This opens up the possibility of using higher-order models for detecting and stopping malicious adversarial attacks. The results we present suggest that DAMs with higher-order energy functions are more robust to adversarial and rubbish inputs than DNNs with rectified linear units.
Variations in atmospheric CO2 growth rates coupled with tropical temperature

Previous studies have highlighted the occurrence and intensity of El Niño–Southern Oscillation as important drivers of the interannual variability of the atmospheric CO2 growth rate, but the underlying biogeophysical mechanisms governing such connections remain unclear. Here we show a strong and persistent coupling (r2 ≈ 0.50) between interannual variations of the CO2 growth rate and tropical land–surface air temperature during 1959 to 2011, with a 1 °C tropical temperature anomaly leading to a 3.5 ± 0.6 Petagrams of carbon per year (PgC/y) CO2 growth-rate anomaly on average. Analysis of simulation results from Dynamic Global Vegetation Models suggests that this temperature–CO2 coupling is contributed mainly by the additive responses of heterotrophic respiration (Rh) and net primary production (NPP) to temperature variations in tropical ecosystems. However, we find a weaker and less consistent (r2 ≈ 0.25) interannual coupling between CO2 growth rate and tropical land precipitation than diagnosed from the Dynamic Global Vegetation Models, likely resulting from the subtractive responses of tropical Rh and NPP to precipitation anomalies that partly offset each other in the net ecosystem exchange (i.e., net ecosystem exchange ≈ Rh − NPP). Variations in other climate variables (e.g., large-scale cloudiness) and natural disturbances (e.g., volcanic eruptions) may induce transient reductions in the temperature–CO2 coupling, but the relationship is robust during the past 50 y and shows full recovery within a few years after any such major variability event. Therefore, it provides an important diagnostic tool for improved understanding of the contemporary and future global carbon cycle.
The Effect of Hydrofluoric Acid Etching Duration on the Surface Micromorphology, Roughness, and Wettability of Dental Ceramics

The current laboratory study is evaluating the effect of hydrofluoric acid etching duration on the surface characteristics of five silica-based glass ceramics. Changes in the pore pattern, crystal structure, roughness, and wettability were compared and evaluated. Seventy-five rectangularly shaped specimens were cut from each material (IPS e-max™, Dentsply Celtra™, Vita Suprinity™, Vita mark II™, and Vita Suprinity FC™); the sectioned samples were finished, polished, and ultrasonically cleaned. Specimens were randomly assigned into study groups: control (no etching) and four experimental groups (20, 40, 80 and 160 s of etching). The etched surfaces’ microstructure including crystal structure, pore pattern, pore depth, and pore width was studied under a scanning electron microscope, and the surface roughness and wettability were analyzed using a non-contact surface profilometer and a contact angle measuring device, respectively. The results were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the post hoc Tukey’s test. The results showed a significant change in the pore number, pore pattern, crystal structure, surface roughness, and wettability with increased etching duration. Etching for a short time resulted in small pores, and etching for longer times resulted in wider, irregular grooves. A significant increase in the surface roughness and wettability was observed with an increase in the etching duration. The findings also suggested a strong association between the surface roughness and wettability.
Expectations of cancer treatment and their impact on outcomes.

Patients’ expectations pre-treatment for cancer can impact on subsequent treatment experiences. The existing literature is conflicted about whether expectations should be positive or realistic, with some studies reporting expectations as predictors of experiences and some studies highlighting the expectations-experiences gap as more important. Research has been narrow in focus and there exists no broad measure of expectations. Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) manage expectations, therefore their perspectives are important but are currently under-researched. This thesis aimed to explore patients’ expectations of cancer treatment more broadly, develop and validate new measures, and better understand CNSs’ perceptions. The thesis consists of six empirical studies. Study 1 qualitatively explored patients’ (n=16) expectations of cancer treatment. It highlighted a broader range of expectations than in the literature and suggested a role for the expectations-experiences gap. Study 2 designed two measures, validating them in a cross-sectional sample of cancer patients (n= 200). This produced a 39-item measure of expectations and a matched 36-item measure of experiences. Study 3 used the above sample to explore the expectations-experiences relationship and found that the expectations-experiences gap may be particularly important in a wide range of experiences. Study 4 measured expectations and experiences longitudinally but recruitment difficulties resulted in a case study of one cancer patient, which showed support for the findings from Study 3. Study 5 qualitatively explored CNSs’ (n=8) beliefs about patient expectations and found that CNSs believe balancing hope and honesty is the best approach to their management. Study 6 qualitatively explored CNSs’ (n=8) experiences of providing care and found that it was challenging but rewarding. This thesis contributes a broader understanding of patient expectations, facilitates their measurement and suggests that setting more realistic pre-treatment expectations is preferable. It shows that CNSs believe in balancing hope and honesty and that their roles are challenging but rewarding.
Towards automated optoelectrowetting on dielectric devices for multi-axis droplet manipulation

Lab-on-a-chip technology scales down multiple laboratory processes to a chip capable of performing automated biochemical analyses. Electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) is a digital microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technology that uses patterned electrodes for droplet manipulation. The main limitations of EWOD devices are the restrictions in volume and motion of droplets due to the fixed size, layout, and addressing scheme of the electrodes. Optoelectrowetting on dielectric (OEWOD) is a recent technology that uses optical sources and electric fields for droplet actuation on a continuous surface. We describe an open surface light-actuated OEWOD device that can manipulate droplets of multiple volumes ranging from 1 to 50 μL at voltages below 45 V. To achieve lower voltage droplet actuation than previous open configuration devices, we added a dedicated dielectric layer of high dielectric constant (Al2O3 with εr of 9.1) and significantly reduced the thickness of the hydrophobic layer. The device is capable of transporting droplets at speeds as high as 12 mm/sec using a data projector as an optical source. We developed a multiple axis contact pad design to apply lateral electric fields along different axes to achieve multi-axis droplet movement. We demonstrated microfluidic operations including droplet merging, mixing, and parallel droplet motion. Further, the OEWOD device is capable of droplet transportation using a tablet computer's LCD screen as an optical source.
The effects of attractive but unattainable alternatives on the attractiveness of near and distant future menus

We examine how adding an Attractive but Unattainable Alternative (AUA) to a set of available but less attractive alternatives influences evaluations of near vs. distant future sets of alternatives. According to Construal Level Theory (Liberman & Trope, 2008) including an AUA would decrease the attractiveness of near future sets, but may increase the attractiveness of distant future sets. In four studies participants imagined a choice situation with three alternatives. For some participants a fourth alternatives was added, which was attractive but unattainable. Half of the participants in each condition imagined making a decision in the near future whereas others imagined making the decision in the distant future. Participants then evaluated the attractiveness of the entire set of alternatives, as well as of each alternative separately. We examined choices between jobs, computers and roommates. The last study examined negotiations with the landlord about an apartment. Consistent with our hypothesis, an AUA increased the evaluation of the distant set and decreased the evaluation of the near set.
Multi-modal mobile sensing of social interactions

The level of participation in social interactions has been shown to have an impact on various health outcomes, while it also reflects the overall wellbeing status. In health sciences the standard practice for measuring the amount of social activity relies on periodical self-reports that suffer from memory dependence, recall bias and the current mood. In this regard, the use of sensor-based detection of social interactions has the potential to overcome the limitations of self-reporting methods that have been used for decades in health related sciences. However, the current systems have mainly relied on external infrastructures, which are confined within specific location or on specialized devices typically not-available off the shelf. On the other hand, mobile phone based solutions are often limited in accuracy or in capturing social interactions that occur on small time and spatial scales. The work presented in this paper relies on widely available mobile sensing technologies, namely smart phones utilized for recognizing spatial settings between subjects and the accelerometer used for speech activity identification. We evaluate the two sensing modalities both separately and in fusion, demonstrating high accuracy in detecting social interactions on small spatio-temporal scale.
Evolutionary rates vary among rRNA structural elements

Understanding patterns of rRNA evolution is critical for a number of fields, including structure prediction and phylogeny. The standard model of RNA evolution is that compensatory mutations in stems make up the bulk of the changes between homologous sequences, while unpaired regions are relatively homogeneous. We show that considerable heterogeneity exists in the relative rates of evolution of different secondary structure categories (stems, loops, bulges, etc.) within the rRNA, and that in eukaryotes, loops actually evolve much faster than stems. Both rates of evolution and abundance of different structural categories vary with distance from functionally important parts of the ribosome such as the tRNA path and the peptidyl transferase center. For example, fast-evolving residues are mainly found at the surface; stems are enriched at the subunit interface, and junctions near the peptidyl transferase center. However, different secondary structure categories evolve at different rates even when these effects are accounted for. The results demonstrate that relative rates and patterns of evolution are lineage specific, suggesting that phylogenetically and structurally specific models will improve evolutionary and structural predictions.
Molecular and Morphometric Characterization of Acanthamoeba spp. from Different Water Sources of Northwest Iran as a Neglected Focus, Co-Bordered With the Country of Iraq

Background Acanthamoeba spp. is a free-living opportunistic protozoan parasites, which can be found in tap, fresh and bottled mineral waters, contact lens solutions, soil etc. Objectives The present study is aimed to determine the Acanthamoeba spp. on the basis of their morpho-molecular aspects in different water sources of the West Azerbaijan province, Northwest of Iran. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 60 water samples were collected from rivers and tap waters during June to September 2015. The water samples were filtered through a cellulose nitrate filter and cultured on non-nutrient agar medium. The extracted DNAs were amplified and some ampliqons were sequenced using partial 18S rRNA for genotyping and phylogenetic analyses. Results Twenty-seven (45%) out of 60 water samples were positive to Acanthamoeba spp. using both culture and morphological examinations. In addition, 24 (40%) out of 27 positive samples in culture method were confirmed by PCR to be Acanthamoeba spp. Conclusions A relatively high prevalence of Acanthamoeba spp. in rivers reflects a risk alert for threatening human health in the region. However, well hygienic status of the tap waters considering Acanthamoeba spp. cannot be ignored in western co-border regions of Iran-Iraq. This study can also serve as a platform for further explorations of water sources in Iran and neighboring countries.
Primary Mesenteric Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma Masquerading as a Colon Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is the most common sarcoma that appears in older patients, usually in the extremities and the retroperitoneum. Other locations are rare. By definition, in UPS, although the malignant cells tend to appear fibroblastic or myofibroblastic, they should not show differentiation towards a more specific line of differentiation. In this sense, we report the case of an 80-year-old patient with an initial clinical diagnosis of a locally advanced colonic neoplasm that was later confirmed as a primary mesenteric UPS. Primary mesenteric UPS are extremely rare with less than 20 cases reported. We also review the pathologic and radiologic diagnostic criteria and the natural history of these tumours.
Al Qaeda after the Iraq Conflict

Abstract : The May 12, 2003, suicide bombings of three Western housing compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reopened questions about the strength and viability of Al Qaeda in the post-Iraq conflict environment. The apprehension of a number of senior Al Qaeda leaders in recent months, combined with the absence of major terrorist attacks during the military campaign in Iraq, had led some to believe that Al Qaeda was severely crippled and unable to launch major attacks. Others argued that the organization was in transition to a more decentralized structure, had gained new recruits, and might even be a growing threat. This report analyzes current viewpoints about the state of Al Qaeda and the threat it poses to the United States. It will be updated as events warrant.
Evidence That Purifying Selection Acts on Promoter Sequences

We tested whether functionally important sites in bacterial, yeast, and animal promoters are more conserved than their neighbors. We found that substitutions are predominantly seen in less important sites and that those that occurred tended to have less impact on gene expression than possible alternatives. These results suggest that purifying selection operates on promoter sequences.
Agency Problems and Residual Claims

Social and economic activities, like religion, entertainment, education, research, and the production of other goods and services, are carried on by different types of organizations, for example, corporations, proprietorships, partnerships, mutuals and nonprofits. There is competition among organizational forms for survival. The form of organization that survives in an activity is the one that delivers the product demanded by customers at the lowest price while covering costs. The characteristics of residual claims are important both in distinguishing organizations from one another and in explaining the survival of organizational forms in specific activities. This paper develops a set of propositions that explain the special features of the residual claims of different organizational forms as efficient approaches to controlling agency problems.
The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: The Cost-Benefit Analysis and Ways to Improve the Project Efficiency

Russia will be hosting the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games (WOPG) in the city of Sochi in Krasnodar Krai for the first time in its history including the history of the former USSR. The selection of Sochi took place after eight years of a steady economic growth in Russia that rebounded from the 1998 economic crisis at an average GDP annual growth rate of 6.8% during 1999-2006. Staging of the 2014 WOPG is associated with one of the largest investment programmes in the country in the 2000-2010s causing a number of discussions about necessity of such large spending, while the estimated costs of the Olympics also vary considerably depending on methods of calculation and assumptions used. In this paper we firstly analysed drawbacks of economic impact studies often used for evaluation of public investment projects’ costs, including the 2014 WOPG. Secondly, using studies about sport events in the USA and Olympic Games that took place during last 30 years we revealed advantages of cost-benefit analysis in obtaining unbiased estimations of public investments’ efficiency. Thirdly, to evaluate the Sochi-2014 project efficiency we employed cost-benefit analysis with five accounts (areas of impact), namely government financial account, resident/consumer account, environmental account, economic and social development accounts, calculated the net present value of this project and assessed its possible alternatives. In conclusion we suggested several policy directions that would enhance public investment efficiency within the Sochi-2014 project.
Perception of Dynamic Social and Non-social Stimuli in Preterm and Full-term Children: Neurocognitive Correlates in Early Childhood

Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths in almost all countries around the world. Whilst survivors encounter severe motor, cognitive and behavioral impairments during infancy or later in their lives, the studies of the recent years have demonstrated that the social development serving a basis for learning and cognition of the environment in human infants can be severely affected even in normally developing preterm born children (gestational age < 37 weeks). The current article presents a discussion on the behavioral as well as the neuroimaging aspects of the social maturation in preterm and full-term children, depicting complexity of theimpairments and focusing on the involved brain structures. Further, authors perform the design of the longitudinal study of social and non-social perception in early childhood, implemented on the base of the Laboratory for Brain and Neurocognitive Development (Ural Federal University). Keywords: prematurity, social development, early childhood, neurocognitive correlates
A Bayesian Approach for Learning and Planning in Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes

Bayesian learning methods have recently been shown to provide an elegant solution to the exploration-exploitation trade-off in reinforcement learning. However most investigations of Bayesian reinforcement learning to date focus on the standard Markov Decision Processes (MDPs). The primary focus of this paper is to extend these ideas to the case of partially observable domains, by introducing the Bayes-Adaptive Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes. This new framework can be used to simultaneously (1) learn a model of the POMDP domain through interaction with the environment, (2) track the state of the system under partial observability, and (3) plan (near-)optimal sequences of actions. An important contribution of this paper is to provide theoretical results showing how the model can be finitely approximated while preserving good learning performance. We present approximate algorithms for belief tracking and planning in this model, as well as empirical results that illustrate how the model estimate and agent's return improve as a function of experience.
Glutathione S-transferase M1 genotype and age-related cataracts. Lack of association in an Italian population.

PURPOSE To investigate possible associations between the gene number and allelic forms of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and the occurrence of nucleic and cortical age-related cataracts. METHODS Patients with cortical cataract, nuclear cataract, mixed and cortical cataract, and no cataract were sytematically selected from subjects evaluated in the Italian-American Study of the Natural History of Age-Related Cataract. The patients were typed for the A, B, and null alleles of GSTM1 using a variation of the amplification refractory mutation system. RESULTS Forty-nine percent of patients (50/102) with cortical cataracts, 45% (13/29) with nuclear cataracts, 51% (36/71) with mixed nuclear and cortical cataracts, and 50% of controls (49/98) were homozygous for the null GSTM1 allele. Twenty-five percent of patients (26/102) with cortical cataracts, 24% (7/29) with nuclear cataracts, 31% with mixed nuclear and cortical cataracts, and 27% of controls (26/98) displayed only the A allele for GSTM1. Twenty-four percent of patients (24/102) with cortical cataract, 24% (7/29) with nuclear cataracts, 14% (10/71) with mixed nuclear and cortical cataract, and 18% of controls showed only the B allele for GSTM1. Two percent of patients (2/102) with cortical cataracts, 7% (2/29) with nuclear cataracts, 4% (3/71) with mixed nuclear and cortical cataracts, and 5% of controls (5/98) showed both A and B alleles for GSTM1. CONCLUSIONS No associations between the GSTM1 alleles, including the null allele, and cataracts were detected in this study.