Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No Spurious Local Minima in Nonconvex Low Rank Problems: A Unified Geometric Analysis

In this paper we develop a new framework that captures the common landscape underlying the common non-convex low-rank matrix problems including matrix sensing, matrix completion and robust PCA. In particular, we show for all above problems (including asymmetric cases): 1) all local minima are also globally optimal; 2) no high-order saddle points exists. These results explain why simple algorithms such as stochastic gradient descent have global converge, and efficiently optimize these non-convex objective functions in practice. Our framework connects and simplifies the existing analyses on optimization landscapes for matrix sensing and symmetric matrix completion. The framework naturally leads to new results for asymmetric matrix completion and robust PCA.
Women Running for Judge: The Impact of Sex on Candidate Success in State Intermediate Appellate Court Elections*

Objective. This article will examine whether candidate sex impacts electoral outcomes in judicial elections. Methods. We examine the success of male and female candidates in contested, nonretention elections for state intermediate appellate courts (IACs) from 2000–2006 using OLS and logistic regression analysis. Results. We find that there is no systematic bias against women candidates in IAC races over this period. In fact, there is some evidence that women may actually perform slightly better than men. Conclusions. Contrary to the claims of some scholars, these results suggest judicial elections do not hinder diversity on the state appellate bench.
Evaluation of an ELISA for p16INK4a as a Screening Test for Cervical Cancer

Background: The low sensitivity of cytology and low specificity of human papillomavirus testing prompts searching for more accurate cervical cancer screening strategies. Our goal was to evaluate an ELISA-based test for p16INK4a. Methods: 1,781 women undergoing routine screening provided cervical specimens for p16INK4a ELISA (original and enhanced versions of a prototype), liquid-based cytology, and Hybrid Capture II (hc2) testing. All women with a positive result and a random sample of those with negative results on all tests were referred for histologic diagnosis. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade ≥3 (≥CIN3) was the main outcome. The original analysis included all ≥CIN3 outcomes (n = 28). The a posteriori analysis was used to represent clinically relevant results with ≥CIN3 as outcomes only when detected after a positive screening test (n = 27). Results: Participants had a median age of 23 years. The prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus DNA was 30.6%. In a posteriori analyses, the sensitivity and specificity for p16INK4a ELISA (≥8 pg/mL cut-point), cytology, and hc2 were 50.9%, 58.1%, and 100.0%, respectively, and 90.4%, 89.3%, and 69.2%, respectively. Referral to colposcopy of women with positive results for hc2 and p16INK4a (enhanced ELISA, ≥6 pg/mL cut-point) had a sensitivity of 91.8% (95% confidence interval, 79.1-100.0%) and specificity of 86.0% (95% confidence interval, 82.0-89.0%). Results of the original analyses had similar specificity but substantially lower sensitivity due to the strong influence of the single CIN3 case with completely negative screening results. Conclusions: An enhanced version of this prototypic p16INK4a ELISA showed promise in screening, particularly when combined with hc2. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(11):3008–17)
Ricci Flow and Bio-Reaction-Diffusion Systems

This paper proposes the Ricci–flow equation as a general geometric model for various reaction–diffusion systems (and related dissipative solitons) in mathematical biology. More precisely, we propose a hypothesis that any kind of reaction–diffusion processes in biology, chemistry and physics can be modelled by the combined geometric–diffusion system. In order to demonstrate the validity of this hypothesis, we review a number of popular reaction–diffusion systems and try to show that they can all be subsumed by the presented geometric framework of the Ricci flow.
Csiszár's cutoff rates for arbitrary discrete sources

Csiszar's (1995) forward /spl beta/-cutoff rate (given a fixed /spl beta/>0) for a discrete source is defined as the smallest number R/sub 0/ such that for every R>R/sub 0/, there exists a sequence of fixed-length codes of rate R with probability of error asymptotically vanishing as e/sup -n/spl beta/(R-R0)/. For a discrete memoryless source (DMS), the forward /spl beta/-cutoff rate is shown by Csiszar to be equal to the source Renyi (1961) entropy. An analogous concept of reverse /spl beta/-cutoff rate regarding the probability of correct decoding is also characterized by Csiszar in terms of the Renyi entropy. In this work, Csiszar's results are generalized by investigating the /spl beta/-cutoff rates for the class of arbitrary discrete sources with memory. It is demonstrated that the limsup and liminf Renyi entropy rates provide the formulas for the forward and reverse /spl beta/-cutoff rates, respectively. Consequently, new fixed-length source coding operational characterizations for the Renyi entropy rates are established.
Biological Characterization of an Improved Pyrrole-Based Colchicine Site Agent Identified through Structure-Based Design

A refined model of the colchicine site on tubulin was used to design an improved analog of the pyrrole parent compound, JG-03-14. The optimized compound, NT-7-16, was evaluated in biological assays that confirm that it has potent activities as a new colchicine site microtubule depolymerizer. NT-7-16 exhibits antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities against multiple cancer cell lines, with IC50 values of 10–16 nM, and it is able to overcome drug resistance mediated by the expression of P-glycoprotein and the βIII isotype of tubulin. NT-7-16 initiated the concentration-dependent loss of cellular microtubules and caused the formation of abnormal mitotic spindles, leading to mitotic accumulation. The direct interaction of NT-7-16 with purified tubulin was confirmed, and it was more potent than combretastatin A-4 in these assays. Binding studies verified that NT-7-16 binds to tubulin within the colchicine site. The antitumor effects of NT-7-16 were evaluated in an MDA-MB-435 xenograft model and it had excellent activity at concentrations that were not toxic. A second compound, NT-9-21, which contains dichloro moieties in place of the 3,5-dibromo substituents of NT-7-16, had a poorer fit within the colchicine site as predicted by modeling and the Hydropathic INTeractions score. Biological evaluations showed that NT-9-21 has 10-fold lower potency than NT-7-16, confirming the modeling predictions. These studies highlight the value of the refined colchicine-site model and identify a new pyrrole-based colchicine-site agent with potent in vitro activities and promising in vivo antitumor actions.
Cytoarchitecture of Pneumotaxic Integration of Respiratory and Nonrespiratory Information in the Rat

The “pneumotaxic center” in the Kölliker-Fuse and medial parabrachial nuclei of dorsolateral pons (dl-pons) plays an important role in respiratory phase switching, modulation of respiratory reflex, and rhythmogenesis. Recent electrophysiological and neural tracing data implicate additional pneumotaxic nuclei in (and a broader role for) the dl-pons in integrating respiratory and nonrespiratory information. Here, we examined the cytoarchitecture of the greater pneumotaxic center and its integrating function by using combined extracellular recording and juxtacellular labeling of unit respiratory rhythmic neurons in dl-pons in urethane-anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and servo-ventilated adult Sprague Dawley rats. Perievent histogram analysis identified four major types of neuronal discharge patterns: inspiratory, expiratory (with three subdivisions), inspiratory–expiratory, and expiratory–inspiratory phase spanning, sometimes with mild tonic background activity. Most recorded neurons were localized in the Kölliker-Fuse and medial parabrachial nuclei, but some were also found in lateral parabrachial nucleus, intertrigeminal nucleus, principal trigeminal sensory nucleus, and supratrigeminal nucleus. The majority of labeled neurons had large and spatially extended dendritic trees that spanned several of these dl-pons subnuclei, often with terminal dendrites ending in the ventral spinocerebellar tract. The distal sections of the primary and higher-order dendrites exhibited rich varicosities, sometimes with dendritic spines. Axons of some labeled neurons were traced all the way to the ventrolateral pons (vl-pons). These findings extend and generalize the classical definition of the pneumotaxic center to include extensive somatic–axonal–dendritic integration of complex descending and ascending respiratory information as well as nociceptive and possibly musculoskeletal and trigeminal information in multiple dl-pons and vl-pons structures in the rat.
Different Modulatory Mechanisms of Renal FXYD12 for Na+-K+-ATPase between Two Closely Related Medakas upon Salinity Challenge

Upon salinity challenge, the Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) of fish kidney plays a crucial role in maintaining ion and water balance. Moreover, the FXYD protein family was found to be a regulator of NKA. Our preliminary results revealed that fxyd12 was highly expressed in the kidneys of the two closely related euryhaline medaka species (Oryzias dancena and O. latipes) from different natural habitats (brackish water and fresh water). In this study, we investigated the expression and association of renal FXYD12 and NKA α-subunit as well as potential functions of FXYD12 in the two medakas. These findings illustrated and compared the regulatory roles of FXYD12 for NKA in kidneys of the two medakas in response to salinity changes. In this study, at the mRNA and/or protein level, the expression patterns were similar for renal FXYD12 and NKA in the two medakas. However, different patterns of NKA activities and different interaction levels between FXYD12 and NKA were found in the kidneys of these two medakas. The results revealed that different strategies were used in the kidneys of the two medaka species upon salinity challenge. On the other hand, gene knockdown experiments demonstrated that the function of O. dancena FXYD12 allowed maintenance of a high level of NKA activity. The results of the present study indicated that the kidneys of the examined euryhaline medakas originating from brackish water and fresh water exhibited different modulatory mechanisms through which renal FXYD12 enhanced NKA activity to maintain internal homeostasis. Our findings broadened the knowledge of expression and functions of FXYD proteins, the modulators of NKA, in vertebrates.
Microtubule-targeting agents in oncology and therapeutic potential in hepatocellular carcinoma

In mammalian cells, microtubules are present both in interphase and dividing cells. In the latter, microtubules forming the mitotic spindle are highly dynamic and exquisitely sensitive to therapeutic inhibitors. Developed to alter microtubule function, microtubule-binding agents have been proven to be highly active as an anticancer treatment. Significant development of microtubule-binding agents has taken place in recent years, with newer anti-tubulin agents now showing novel properties of enhanced tumor specificity, reduced neurotoxicity, and insensitivity to chemoresistance mechanisms. Hepatocellular carcinoma remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat, with chemotherapies being relatively ineffective. There is now evidence to suggest that microtubule-binding agents may be effective in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, especially when used in combination with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors. Preclinical models have suggested that the latter may be able to overcome resistance to microtubule binding agents. In this review article, recent developments of novel microtubule binding agents and their relevance to the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma will be discussed.
A Novel Curcumin Analog (H-4073) Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Cisplatin Treatment in Head and Neck Cancer

Chemotherapy constitutes the standard modality of treatment for localized head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). However, many patients fail to respond and relapse after this treatments due to the acquisition of chemo-resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel drugs that could reverse the resistant phenotype. Curcumin, the constituent of the spice turmeric has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative properties in several tumor types. However, use of curcumin has been limited due to its poor bio-absorption. Recently, a novel class of curcumin analogs, based on diarylidenylpiperidones (DAP), has been developed by incorporating a piperidone link to the beta-diketone structure and fluoro substitutions on the phenyl groups. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of H-4073, a parafluorinated variant of DAP, using both in vitro and in vivo head and neck cancer models. Our results demonstrate that H-4073 is a potent anti-tumor agent and it significantly inhibited cell proliferation in all the HNSCC cell lines tested in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment of cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cell lines with H-4073 significantly reversed the chemo-resistance as observed by cell viability assay (MTT), apoptosis assay (Annexin V binding) and cleaved caspase-3 (Western blot). H-4073 mediated its anti-tumor effects by inhibiting JAK/STAT3, FAK, Akt and VEGF signaling pathways that play important roles in cell proliferation, migration, survival and angiogenesis. In the SCID mouse xenograft model, H-4073 significantly enhanced the anti-tumor and anti-angiogenesis effects of cisplatin, with no added systemic toxicity. Interestingly, H-4073 inhibited tumor angiogenesis by blocking VEGF production by tumor cells as well as directly inhibiting endothelial cell function. Taken together, our results suggest that H-4073 is a potent anti-tumor agent and it can be used to overcome chemotherapy resistance in HNSCC.
Fish consumption pattern among adults of different ethnics in Peninsular Malaysia

Background Understanding different patterns of fish consumption is an important component for risk assessment of contaminants in fish. A few studies on food consumption had been conducted in Malaysia, but none of them focused specifically on fish consumption. The objectives of this study were to document the meal pattern among three major ethnics in Malaysia with respect to fish/seafood consumption, identify most frequently consumed fish and cooking method, and examine the influence of demographic factors on pattern of fish consumption among study subjects. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February 2008 and May 2009 to investigate patterns of fish consumption among Malaysian adults in Peninsular Malaysia. Adults aged 18 years and above were randomly selected and fish consumption data were collected using a 3-day prospective food diary. Results A total of 2,675 subjects, comprising male (44.2%) and female (55.7%) participants from major ethnics (Malays, 76.9%; Chinese, 14.7%; Indians, 8.3%) with a mean age of 43.4±16.2 years, were involved in this study. The results revealed 10 most frequently consumed marine fish in descending order: Indian mackerel, anchovy, yellowtail and yellow-stripe scads, tuna, sardines, torpedo scad, Indian and short-fin scads, pomfret, red snapper, and king mackerel. Prawn and squid were also among the most preferred seafood by study subjects. The most frequently consumed freshwater fish were freshwater catfish and snakehead. The most preferred cooking style by Malaysians was deep-fried fish, followed by fish cooked in thick and/or thin chili gravy, fish curry, and fish cooked with coconut milk mixed with other spices and flavorings. Overall, Malaysians consumed 168 g/day fish, with Malay ethnics’ (175±143 g/day) consumption of fish significantly (p<0.001) higher compared with the other two ethnic groups (Chinese=152±133 g/day, Indians=136±141 g/day). Conclusion Fish consumption was significantly associated with ethnicity, age, marital status, residential area, and years of education of adults in Peninsular Malaysia, and the data collected are beneficial for the purpose of health risk assessment on the intake of contaminants through fish/seafood consumption.
A Packet Loss Concealment Algorithem using Speech Recognition and Synthesis

In recent years, IP telephone use has spread rapidly thanks to the development of VoIP (Voice over IP) technology. However, an unavoidable problem of the IP telephone is deterioration of speech due to packet loss, which often occurs on the wireless network. To overcome this problem, we propose a novel packet loss concealment algorithm using speech recognition and synthesis. This proposed method uses linguistic information and can deal with the lack of syllable units which conventional methods are unable to handle. We conducted subjective and objective evaluation experiments. These results showed the effectiveness of the proposed method. Although there is a processing delay in the proposed method, we believe that this method will open up new applications for speech recognition and speech synthesis technology.
Expression based image retrieval using RSCM

In recent years, image retrieval has much impact on handhold mobile applications to high-end database processing. Text and content based image retrieval are the common methods in existence. Though it made lot of changes, retrieving human expressions is challenging one for the recent researchers. We introducing a new technique called Ratio of Sum to Centre and Maximum pixel (RSCM) feature which leads to communicate with machines via facial expressions. In the proposed system, first the images in the database get pre-processed and this image can be given to the gabor filter to segment the image as the gabor wavelet blocks. The output of the gabor filter given to the RSCM feature extraction algorithm to extract various expression based features from the image and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) will train the features. Eventually, the comparative analysis performed using the commonly used methods namely precision and recall were clearly shown that the proposed system provide better results than the conventional systems and retrieve the images based upon the expression.
Goodness-of-fit of the Heston model

An analytical formula for the probability distribution of stock-market returns, derived from the Heston model assuming a mean-reverting stochastic volatility, was recently proposed by Dr ˘ agulescu and Yakovenko in Quantitative Finance 2002. While replicating their results, we found two significant weaknesses in their method to pre-process the data, which cast a shadow over the effective goodness-of-fit of the model. We propose a new method, more truly capturing the market, and perform a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and a 2 test on the resulting probability distribution. The results raise some significant questions for large time lags —40 to 250 days — where the smoothness of the data does not require such a complex model; nevertheless, we also provide some statistical evidence in favour of the Heston model for small time lags —1 and5 days — compared with the traditional Gaussian model assuming constant volatility.
Linear preservers and quantum information science

In this article, a brief survey of recent results on linear preserver problems and quantum information science is given. In addition, characterization is obtained for linear operators φ on mn × mn Hermitian matrices such that φ(A ⊗ B) and A ⊗ B have the same spectrum for any m × m Hermitian A and n × n Hermitian B. Such a map has the form A ⊗ B ↦ U(ϕ1(A) ⊗ ϕ2(B))U* for mn × mn Hermitian matrices in tensor form A ⊗ B, where U is a unitary matrix, and for j ∈ {1, 2}, ϕ j is the identity map X ↦ X or the transposition map X ↦ X t . The structure of linear maps leaving invariant the spectral radius of matrices in tensor form A ⊗ B is also obtained. The results are connected to bipartite (quantum) systems and are extended to multipartite systems.
Reduced-Complexity QAM-Aided Space-Time Shift Keying

A novel reduced-complexity near-optimal detection algorithm is proposed for enhancing the recent coherently-detected Space-Time Shift Keying (STSK) scheme employing arbitrary constellations, such as L-point Phase-Shift Keying (PSK) and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM). The proposed detector relies on a modified Matched Filter (MF) concept. More specifically, we exploit both the constellation diagram of the modulation scheme employed as well as the Inter-Element-Interference (IEI)-free STSK architecture. It is revealed that the proposed detector is capable of approaching the optimal Maximum Likelihood (ML) detector's performance, while avoiding the exhaustive ML search.
Metformin modulates hyperglycaemia-induced endothelial senescence and apoptosis through SIRT1

Endothelial dysfunction can be detected at an early stage in the development of diabetes‐related microvascular disease and is associated with accelerated endothelial senescence and ageing. Hyperglycaemia‐induced oxidative stress is a major contributing factor to the development of endothelial dysfunction. Clinical data indicate that the hypoglycaemic agent, metformin, has an endothelial protective action; however, its molecular and cellular mechanisms remain elusive. In the present study, we have investigated the protective effect of metformin during hyperglycaemia‐induced senescence in mouse microvascular endothelial cells (MMECs).
Responsible management education for a sustainable world: The challenges for business schools

Purpose – The reforms in business schools based on the Ford and Carnegie Foundation reports (Pierson, 1959; Gordon and Howell, 1959) have been very successful in embedding management in a research-based body of knowledge, thereby elevating the academic status of business administration. These reforms, however, did nothing toward making management more socially trustworthy or management education more responsible. In the light of the pressing economic, social and environmental crises the world is facing, the feeling is spreading that not only business and economics but business schools also need to change fundamentally, if they want to be a provider of solutions to these crises and thereby keep and regain their legitimacy. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of the fundamental challenges facing the role of business schools and their contributions in the areas of education, research, managing faculty, and role of the business school. It presents suggestions what responsible managemen.
Nonexistence of Harberger-Laursen-Metzler Effect with Endogenous Time Preference in an Imperfect Capital Market

This paper investigates the spending and current-account effects of a permanent terms-of-trade change in a dynamic small open economy facing an imperfect world capital market, where the households’ subjective discount rate is a function of savings. Under the assumption that the bond holdings are measured in terms of home goods, it is shown that when the discount rate is a decreasing function of savings, there does not necessarily exist a stable state; however, when the discount rate is an increasing function of savings, a saddle-path stable steady state comes into existence and the Harberger-Laursen-Metzler effect does not exist unambiguously; that is, an unanticipated permanent terms-of-trade deterioration leads to a cut in aggregate expenditure and a current-account surplus. The short-run effects obtained by the technique by Judd (1985, 1987) and Zou (1997) are consistent with the results from the long-run analysis and diagrammatic analysis.