Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Provable Inductive Matrix Completion

Consider a movie recommendation system where apart from the ratings information, side information such as user's age or movie's genre is also available. Unlike standard matrix completion, in this setting one should be able to predict inductively on new users/movies. In this paper, we study the problem of inductive matrix completion in the exact recovery setting. That is, we assume that the ratings matrix is generated by applying feature vectors to a low-rank matrix and the goal is to recover back the underlying matrix. Furthermore, we generalize the problem to that of low-rank matrix estimation using rank-1 measurements. We study this generic problem and provide conditions that the set of measurements should satisfy so that the alternating minimization method (which otherwise is a non-convex method with no convergence guarantees) is able to recover back the {\em exact} underlying low-rank matrix. In addition to inductive matrix completion, we show that two other low-rank estimation problems can be studied in our framework: a) general low-rank matrix sensing using rank-1 measurements, and b) multi-label regression with missing labels. For both the problems, we provide novel and interesting bounds on the number of measurements required by alternating minimization to provably converges to the {\em exact} low-rank matrix. In particular, our analysis for the general low rank matrix sensing problem significantly improves the required storage and computational cost than that required by the RIP-based matrix sensing methods \cite{RechtFP2007}. Finally, we provide empirical validation of our approach and demonstrate that alternating minimization is able to recover the true matrix for the above mentioned problems using a small number of measurements.
A Study of Insulin Resistance by HOMA-IR and its Cut-off Value to Identify Metabolic Syndrome in Urban Indian Adolescents

Objective: Insulin resistance (IR) and associated metabolic abnormalities are increasingly being reported in the adolescent population. Cut-off value of homeostasis model of assessment IR (HOMA-IR) as an indicator of metabolic syndrome (MS) in adolescents has not been established. This study aimed to investigate IR by HOMA-IR in urban Indian adolescents and to establish cut-off values of HOMA-IR for defining MS. Methods: A total of 691 apparently healthy adolescents (295 with normal body mass index (BMI), 205 overweight, and 199 obese) were included in this cross-sectional study. MS in adolescents was defined by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria. IR was calculated using the HOMA model. Results: Mean height, waist circumference (WC), waist/hip ratio (WHR), waist/height ratio (WHtR), and blood pressure were significantly higher in boys as compared to girls. The HOMA-IR values increased progressively from normal weight to obese adolescents in both sexes. Mean HOMA-IR values increased progressively according to sexual maturity rating in both sexes. HOMA-IR value of 2.5 had a sensitivity of >70% and specificity of >60% for MS. This cut-off identified larger number of adolescents with MS in different BMI categories (19.7% in normal weight, 51.7% in overweight, and 77.0% in obese subjects) as compared to the use of IDF or ATP III criteria for diagnosing MS. Odds ratio for having IR (HOMA-IR of >2.5) was highest with WHtR (4.9, p <0.0001) and WC (4.8, p <0.0001), compared to WHR (3.3, p <0.0001). Conclusions: In Indian adolescents, HOMA-IR increased with sexual maturity and with progression from normal to obese. A HOMA-IR cut-off of 2.5 provided the maximum sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing MS in both genders as per ATP III and IDF criteria. Conflict of interest:None declared.
Use of Surrogate Markers to Predict the HIV Disease Stage and Time to Initiate Antiretroviral Therapy in Developing Countries

CD4 counting is the standard method for determining eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV disease progression, but it is not widely available in developing countries. The aim of this study was to correlate the levels of β-2 microglobulin and total lymphocyte count (TLC) with CD4 counts for monitoring disease progression and identify patients who require ART. The authors measured CD4 T-cell counts, TLC, and β-2 microglobulin levels in 119 HIV seropositive patients. There was a significant negative correlation between CD4 counts and β-2 microglobulin levels and significant positive correlation between TLC and CD4 counts. Taking a TLC cutoff of ≤ 1600 and β-2 microglobulin levels ≥ 3.5 mg/l, the authors could identify 90.4% of patients with CD4 count ≤ 200 cells/µl. These assays may allow reduction in the annual number of CD4 cell evaluation and the cost associated with monitoring the immune status of HIV-positive patients.
Applications of embedded HVDC in power system transmission

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Technology has been widely recognized advanced in power transmission. Classical HVDC has shown its advanced features in long distance bulk power delivery, submarine cable crossings, and asynchronous interconnections. Therefore, the new generation of technology, embedded HVDC, is further broadening the range of applications of HVDC transmission. The embedded HVDC is beneficial to all traditional occupations. Meanwhile, perspective novel applications, which are involved in offshore transmissions, infeed large urban areas, DC segment grid, and weak AC system connections, come into service. The installation of the embedded HVDC systems on the existing AC power grid may largely improve the transient stability and power flow oscillation damping factor of power transmission system.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor induced suppression of food intake, and body weight is mediated by central IL-1 and IL-6

Significance There is a growing interest in the gut- and hindbrain-produced hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and GLP-1–targeting drugs are in clinical trials for treatment of obesity, and already in the clinic for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the implications of information arising from our study are clinically relevant and considerable. GLP-1 receptor stimulation decreases feeding and body weight likely via the CNS, effects of unquestioned scientific and clinical importance, considering the alarming rates of obesity. Despite this, there is scarce information about the mediators and mechanisms behind the effects of GLP-1. In this study, we found surprising evidence that two cytokines, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1, mediate antiobesity effects of GLP-1 receptor stimulation at the level of the CNS. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), produced in the intestine and the brain, can stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas and alleviate type 2 diabetes. The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) may enhance insulin secretion from β-cells by stimulating peripheral GLP-1 production. GLP-1 and its analogs also reduce food intake and body weight, clinically beneficial actions that are likely exerted at the level of the CNS, but otherwise are poorly understood. The cytokines IL-6 and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) may exert an anti-obesity effect in the CNS during health. Here we found that central injection of a clinically used GLP-1 receptor agonist, exendin-4, potently increased the expression of IL-6 in the hypothalamus (11-fold) and the hindbrain (4-fold) and of IL-1β in the hypothalamus, without changing the expression of other inflammation-associated genes. Furthermore, hypothalamic and hindbrain interleukin-associated intracellular signals [phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (pSTAT3) and suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS1)] were also elevated by exendin-4. Pharmacologic disruption of CNS IL-1 receptor or IL-6 biological activity attenuated anorexia and body weight loss induced by central exendin-4 administration in a rat. Simultaneous blockade of IL-1 and IL-6 activity led to a more potent attenuation of exendin-4 effects on food intake. Mice with global IL-1 receptor gene knockout or central IL-6 receptor knockdown showed attenuated decrease in food intake and body weight in response to peripheral exendin-4 treatment. GLP-1 receptor activation in the mouse neuronal Neuro2A cell line also resulted in increased IL-6 expression. These data outline a previously unidentified role of the central IL-1 and IL-6 in mediating the anorexic and body weight loss effects of GLP-1 receptor activation.
What Lies Beneath? The Experiential Essence of Entrepreneurial Thinking

Cognitive developmental psychology and constructivism offer possibilities for the future of entrepreneurial cognition research to explore: (1) deeply seated beliefs and belief structures that ultimately anchor entrepreneurial thinking and (2) how they change as entrepreneurs move toward a more professional, expert mind–set. Such insights aid the field in identifying those developmental experiences that are the sources of those critical deep beliefs intrinsic to our mental models regarding entrepreneurship. As a field, entrepreneurship is lauded for the effectiveness of its teaching, and this essay offers strong theory to explain that our pedagogical best practices reflect important, well–known cognitive phenomena.
Antibiotic use in Albania between 2011 and 2012.

INTRODUCTION Health institutions in Albania have recently reported an increase in antibiotic misuse and microbial resistance. Until now, there have been no comprehensive studies that analyzed the overall use of antibiotics in Albania. The aim of this study was to analyze the overall antibiotic use in Albania between 2011 and 2012, using standardized methodology of measurement, based on World Health Organization guidelines. METHODOLOGY Data from 2011 and 2012 on antibiotic use from ambulatory and hospital sector were examined. Antibiotics were divided based on anatomic therapeutic chemical classification. Defined daily dose (DDD) for each drug was assigned, and DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID) was used as a measurement unit. In cases of antibiotic combinations for which DDD were not available, unit doses were assigned. RESULTS In 2011-2012, total antibiotic use decreased from 24.25 to 20.66 DID. Penicillin's were the most used antibiotic class, with 10.62 DID (2011) and 10.51 DID (2012). Tetracycline use decreased from 5.45 DID (2011) to 0.98 DID (2012). Macrolides increased from 1.36 to 1.88 DID, quinolones from 1.72 to 2.51 DID. The overall antibiotic use was significantly higher than the reimbursed antibiotic use – 3.17 DID (2011) and 2.79 DID (2012) – based on the official data for the same period. CONCLUSIONS This study enables policymakers to further analyze the quality of antibiotic prescriptions and draw comparisons to other countries. The analyzed data suggest there are different factors influencing out-of-pocket use of antibiotics and wrongly prescribed antibiotics. Further studies are necessary to evaluate these factors.
Development of lateralization of the magnetic compass in a migratory bird

The magnetic compass of a migratory bird, the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), was shown to be lateralized in favour of the right eye/left brain hemisphere. However, this seems to be a property of the avian magnetic compass that is not present from the beginning, but develops only as the birds grow older. During first migration in autumn, juvenile robins can orient by their magnetic compass with their right as well as with their left eye. In the following spring, however, the magnetic compass is already lateralized, but this lateralization is still flexible: it could be removed by covering the right eye for 6 h. During the following autumn migration, the lateralization becomes more strongly fixed, with a 6 h occlusion of the right eye no longer having an effect. This change from a bilateral to a lateralized magnetic compass appears to be a maturation process, the first such case known so far in birds. Because both eyes mediate identical information about the geomagnetic field, brain asymmetry for the magnetic compass could increase efficiency by setting the other hemisphere free for other processes.
The sinus venosus myocardium contributes to the atrioventricular canal: potential role during atrioventricular node development?

The presence of distinct electrophysiological pathways within the atrioventricular node (AVN) is a prerequisite for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia to occur. In this study, the different cell contributions that may account for the anatomical and functional heterogeneity of the AVN were investigated. To study the temporal development of the AVN, the expression pattern of ISL1, expressed in cardiac progenitor cells, was studied in sequential stages performing co‐staining with myocardial markers (TNNI2 and NKX2‐5) and HCN4 (cardiac conduction system marker). An ISL1+/TNNI2+/HCN4+ continuity between the myocardium of the sinus venosus and atrioventricular canal was identified in the region of the putative AVN, which showed a pacemaker‐like phenotype based on single cell patch‐clamp experiments. Furthermore, qPCR analysis showed that even during early development, different cell populations can be identified in the region of the putative AVN. Fate mapping was performed by in ovo vital dye microinjection. Embryos were harvested and analysed 24 and 48 hrs post‐injection. These experiments showed incorporation of sinus venosus myocardium in the posterior region of the atrioventricular canal. The myocardium of the sinus venosus contributes to the atrioventricular canal. It is postulated that the myocardium of the sinus venosus contributes to nodal extensions or transitional cells of the AVN since these cells are located in the posterior region of the AVN. This finding may help to understand the origin of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.
Cancer immunotherapy: Breakthrough or “deja vu, all over again”?

From the application of Coley’s toxin in the early 1900s to the present clinical trials using immune checkpoint regulatory inhibitors, the history of cancer immunotherapy has consisted of extremely high levels of enthusiasm after anecdotal case reports of enormous success, followed by decreasing levels of enthusiasm as the results of controlled clinical trials are available. In this review, this pattern will be documented for the various immunotherapeutic approaches over the years. The sole exception being vaccination against cancer causing viruses, which have already prevented thousands of cancers. We can only hope that the present high level of enthusiasm for the use of immune stimulation by removal of blocks to cancer immunity will be more productive than the incremental improvements using previous immunotherapies.
Predicting Population Trends from Size Distributions: A Direct Test in a Tropical Tree Community

Forest ecologists often evaluate how well the species composition of saplings in the understory matches that of the canopy: absence of juveniles suggests that a tree species is suffering population decline. Here we offer a theoretical and empirical test of this assertion using data from a 50‐ha census plot in Panama. Theory indicates that higher rates of population change, λ, lead to more steeply declining size distributions (more juveniles relative to adults). But other parameters also affect the size distribution: lower growth rate of juveniles and lower survival at any size pro duce more steeply declining size distributions as well. Empirical evaluation of 216 tree populations showed that juvenile growth was the strongest predictor of size distribution, in the direction predicted by theory. Size distribution did correlate with population growth, but weakly and only in understory species, not canopy seecies. Size distribution did not correlate with the growth rate of larger individuals nor with survival. Results suggest that static in formation on the size distribution is not a good predictor of future population trends, while demographic information is. Fast‐growing species will have fewer juveniles in the understory than slow growing species, even when population growth is equal.
Accelerometric patch probe for cuffless blood pressure evaluation from carotid local pulse wave velocity: design, development, and in vivo experimental study

Objective: In this work, we demonstrate an accelerometric patch probe and associated measurement system for local pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement and its application in cuffless blood pressure (BP) measurement. Approach: The proposed system consists of dual accelerometric patch probe to capture acceleration plethysmography (APG) signals from the carotid artery. The probe was integrated to an application-specific analog front-end circuitry with negligible inter-channel delay and a data acquisition module. Real-time signal processing and local PWV evaluation were performed using custom software. The functionality of the developed system and the relationship between local PWV and reference BP parameters were experimentally validated by multiple in vivo studies on a cohort of 26 subjects. Inter- and intra-subject BP-local pulse transit time (PTT) models were developed and used for cuffless BP measurement. Further, the reliability of the proposed method in long-term BP monitoring was validated by performing a study over a week. Main results: Reliability of the proposed novel approach for local PWV measurement using APG signals has been demonstrated. Measured baseline carotid local PWV values were in the range of 3–4.2 m s−1, with high reproducibility (R = 0.94) and with an inter-beat variation range of 2.61%–15.5%. Mean local PTT versus brachial systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP obtained from both sitting and standing posture correlated well with an R-value > 0.8. Beat-by-beat BP parameters and local PWV during the post-exercise recovery of each individual yielded statistically significant intra-subject trends. Cuffless BP estimation with intra-subject BP-local PTT models results in more reliable assessments of BP parameters than inter-subject models. The developed BP prediction models found to be reliable over a period of one week with a root-mean-square error ≤1.7 mmHg. Significance: A non-invasive cost-effective system for continuous monitoring central aortic BP parameters and local arterial stiffness indices.
Characterization of biomass burning emissions from cooking fires, peat, crop residue, and other fuels with high-resolution proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Abstract. We deployed a high-resolution proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) to measure biomass-burning emissions from peat, crop residue, cooking fires, and many other fire types during the fourth Fire Lab at Missoula Experiment (FLAME-4) laboratory campaign. A combination of gas standard calibrations and composition sensitive, mass-dependent calibration curves was applied to quantify gas-phase non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) observed in the complex mixture of fire emissions. We used several approaches to assign the best identities to most major "exact masses", including many high molecular mass species. Using these methods, approximately 80–96% of the total NMOC mass detected by the PTR-TOF-MS and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was positively or tentatively identified for major fuel types. We report data for many rarely measured or previously unmeasured emissions in several compound classes including aromatic hydrocarbons, phenolic compounds, and furans; many of these are suspected secondary organic aerosol precursors. A large set of new emission factors (EFs) for a range of globally significant biomass fuels is presented. Measurements show that oxygenated NMOCs accounted for the largest fraction of emissions of all compound classes. In a brief study of various traditional and advanced cooking methods, the EFs for these emissions groups were greatest for open three-stone cooking in comparison to their more advanced counterparts. Several little-studied nitrogen-containing organic compounds were detected from many fuel types, that together accounted for 0.1–8.7% of the fuel nitrogen, and some may play a role in new particle formation.
The effects of recombinant human thyrotropin, in normal subjects and patients with goitre

Characterization of the human thyrotropin (TSH) α and β -subunit in the late 1980s (Hayashizaki et al ., 1985; Wondisford et al ., 1988) paved the way for the production of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH), which subsequently allowed detection of residual /recurrent disease in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) without the inexpedient use of bovine TSH (bTSH) or human cadaver pituitary-derived TSH (hTSH). In the case of nontoxic multinodular goitre, a much more frequent disorder than DTC, the ideal treatment is under continuous debate (Hegedüs et al ., 2003). Some clinicians favour levothyroxine (L-T4) suppressive therapy, despite little evidence to support this strategy, while others advocate thyroidectomy or 131 I therapy (Bonnema et al ., 2000, 2002b). Although the latter treatment is frequently used in some countries (Bonnema et al ., 2000) its effectiveness can be hampered by a low thyroid radioiodineuptake (RAIU), especially in areas with a high iodine intake. With the availability of rhTSH and its ability to stimulate thyroid function, including thyroid RAIU, 131 I therapy may be an option for a larger fraction of patients with benign goitre. In recent years, several studies have reported the effect of rhTSH on thyroid function and RAIU in healthy subjects as well as in patients with nodular nontoxic goitre. In this review we discuss the effects and side-effects of rhTSH in healthy individuals with an intact thyroid gland and furthermore important aspects of the use of rhTSH in patients with benign goitre treated with 131 I.
Help-Seeking Behaviour of Patients Attending the Psychiatric Service in a Sample of United Arab Emirates Population

Background: Many patients suffering from psychiatric disorders seek non-professional care before attending specialized services. Aims: To study the help-seeking behaviour of patients referred to the psychiatric department of Al-Ain Hospital, which is the main university teaching hospital in UAE. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological survey. All new patients attending the psychiatry out-patient clinic at Al-Ain Hospital were screened for nine consecutive months from March to November 2003 inclusive. Results: The sample consisted of 106 patients (52 male; 54 female). Prior to presenting to the psychiatric service, 44.8% consulted faith healers, 31% of whom had had a previous experience with them; 45% reported some improvement but their symptoms recurred later, while 47% reported no improvement. In 8% their symptoms worsened for the current episode. Treatments received were herbal (29.8%) and prayer (70.2%). Of the sample, 43.4% consulted a primary care physician before presenting to the secondary psychiatric care. Conclusion: In this sample a sizable number of patients sought alternative methods of treatment before attending the specialized psychiatric services.