Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Online Contextual Influence Maximization in social networks

In this paper, we propose the Online Contextual Influence Maximization Problem (OCIMP). In OCIMP, the learner faces a series of epochs in each of which a different influence campaign is run to promote a certain product in a given social network. In each epoch, the learner first distributes a limited number of free-samples of the product among a set of seed nodes in the social network. Then, the influence spread process takes place over the network, other users get influenced and purchase the product. The goal of the learner is to maximize the expected total number of influenced users over all epochs. We depart from the prior work in two aspects: (i) the learner does not know how the influence spreads over the network, i.e., it is unaware of the influence probabilities; (ii) influence probabilities depend on the context. We develop a learning algorithm for OCIMP, called Contextual Online INfluence maximization (COIN). COIN can use any approximation algorithm that solves the offline influence maximization problem as a subroutine to obtain the set of seed nodes in each epoch. When the influence probabilities are Hölder continuous functions of the context, we prove that COIN achieves sublinear regret with respect to an approximation oracle that knows the influence probabilities for all contexts. Moreover, our regret bound holds for any sequence of contexts. We also test the performance of COIN on several social networks, and show that it performs better than other methods.
Glueball masses and other physical properties of SU(N) gauge theories in D=3+1: a review of lattice results for theorists

We summarise what lattice simulations have to say about the physical properties of continuum SU(N) gauge theories in 3+1 dimensions. The quantities covered are: the glueball mass spectrum, the confining string tension, the temperature at which the theory becomes deconfined, the topological susceptibility, the value of the scale Lambda{MS-bar} that governs the rate at which the coupling runs and the r0 parameter that characterises the static quark potential at intermediate distances.
Diagnosis As Planning: Two Case Studies

Diagnosis of discrete event systems amounts to finding good explanations, in the form of system trajectories consistent with a given set of partially ordered observations. This problem is closely related to planning, and in fact can be recast as a classical planning problem. We formulate a PDDL encoding of this diagnosis problem, and use it to evaluate planners representing a variety of planning paradigms on two realistic case studies. Results demonstrate that certain planning techniques have the potential to be very useful in diagnosis, but on the whole, current planners are far from a practical means of solving diagnosis problems.
An Evolving Entropy Floor in the Intracluster Gas?

Nongravitational processes, such as feedback from galaxies and their active nuclei, are believed to have injected excess entropy into the intracluster gas, and therefore to have modified the density profiles in galaxy clusters during their formation. Here we study a simple model for this so-called preheating scenario, and ask (1) whether it can simultaneously explain both global X-ray scaling relations and number counts of galaxy clusters, and (2) whether the amount of entropy required evolves with redshift. We adopt a baseline entropy profile that fits recent hydrodynamic simulations, modify the hydrostatic equilibrium condition for the gas by including ≈20% nonthermal pressure support, and add an entropy floor K0 that is allowed to vary with redshift. We find that the observed luminosity-temperature (L − T) relations of low-redshift (⟨ z⟩ = 0.05) HIFLUGCS clusters and high-redshift (⟨ z⟩ = 0.80) WARPS clusters are best simultaneously reproduced with an entropy floor that evolves from ≈200 h−1/3 keV cm 2 at z ≈ 0.8 to ≳300 h−1/3 keV cm 2 at z < 0.05. This evolution may take place predominantly at low redshift (z≲ 0.2). If we restrict our analysis to the subset of bright (kT≳ 3 keV) clusters, we find that the evolving entropy floor can mimic a self-similar evolution in the L − T scaling relation. This degeneracy with self-similar evolution is, however, lifted when 0.5 keV ≲ kT≲ 3 keV clusters are included. Using the cosmological parameters from the WMAP 3 yr data, but treating σ8 as a free parameter, our model can reproduce the number counts of the X-ray galaxy clusters in the 158 deg2 ROSAT PSPC survey, with a best-fit value of σ8 = 0.80 ± 0.05.
The quantum challenge to structural complexity theory

A nontechnical survey of recent quantum-mechanical discoveries that challenge generally accepted complexity-theoretic versions of the Church-Turing thesis is presented. In particular, the authors construct an oracle relative to which there exists a set that can be recognized in quantum polynomal time (QP), yet any Turing machine that recognizes it would require exponential time even if allowed to be probabilistic, provided that errors are not tolerated. In particular, QP is not contained in or equal to ZPP relative to this oracle. Furthermore, there are cryptographic tasks that are demonstrably impossible to implement with unlimited computing power probabilistic interactive turning machines, yet they can be implemented even in practice by quantum mechanical apparatus. <<ETX>>
Ownership Types and Strategic Groups in an Emerging Economy

Existing strategic group studies have rarely examined ownership type as a variable to classify firms in an industry. Using Chinese firms of different ownership types, we suggest that ownership type can be a parsimonious and important variable that managers use to cognitively classify firms into different strategic groups. While ownership itself is an objective variable, we contend that different ownership types lead to different managerial outlook and mentality due to a number of macro and micro foundations giving rise to various managerial cognitions. Employing the Miles and Snow typology, we find that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and privately-owned enterprises (POEs) tend to adopt defender and prospector strategies, respectively, while collectively-owned enterprises (COEs) and foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) exhibit an analyser orientation that falls between defenders and prospectors on the strategy continuum. Three statistical tests suggest that ownership types can be used to successfully predict strategic group memberships in China's emerging economy. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2004.
Abnormal in vitro CXCR2 modulation and defective cationic ion transporter expression on polymorphonuclear neutrophils responsible for hyporesponsiveness to IL-8 stimulation in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate the molecular basis of hyporesponsiveness of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to interleukin-8 (IL-8) stimulation in patients with active SLE. METHODS PMN obtained from active SLE and well-matched healthy individuals were studied. The expression of two IL-8 receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, in PMN were detected by flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The binding affinity of PMN with IL-8 was calculated by Scatchard plotting. Soluble CXCR2 level in IL-8-stimulated PMN culture supernatant was measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The resting and IL-8-stimulated membrane potential (MP) changes, and membrane expression of cationic ion transporters including Na+-K+-ATPase, renal epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and renal outer medullary epithelial K+ channel 1 (ROMK1) on PMN were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS Compared with normal PMN, decreased CXCR2 gene expression, but normal IL-8-binding affinity of SLE-PMN, was found. For exploring the molecular basis of the defect, the modulation of CXCR2 in SLE-PMN was intensively investigated. We found that increased cytosolic CXCR2 expression in SLE-PMN was due to defective surface translocation, increased spontaneous internalization and/or increased spontaneous synthesis. The IL-8-induced CXCR2 down-regulation in SLE-PMN was also impaired due to decreased proteolytic cleavage of IL-8-IL-8 receptor complexes from the cell surface whereas IL-8-induced internalization of the complexes was normal. In addition, we originally found that increased resting but decreased IL-8-stimulated MP in SLE-PMN was relevant to defective expression of Na+-K+-ATPase, ENaC and ROMK1 on the cell surface. CONCLUSION The abnormal CXCR2 modulation and impaired cationic ion transporter expression cause SLE-PMN hyporesponsiveness to IL-8 stimulation in vitro.
Sensorless control of a novel IPMSM based on high-frequency injection

Due to the challenge for sensorless control of concentrated windings (CW) interior permanent magnet synchronous machines (IPMSMs), this paper presents the analysis of a novel stator IPMSM for sensorless control based on high-frequency rotating voltage signal injection method. The topology of the machine is introduced and the new IPMSM has the advantage of less space harmonics. The sensorless control scheme is developed, and the cross saturation is taken into account to improve the accuracy of position estimation. To support this, the high-frequency inductances of the machine are analyzed by finite-element analysis (FEA) method. Both of the steady and dynamic state experimental results verify the effectiveness of the drive system.
Different Functional Types of Bipolar Cells Use Different Gap-Junctional Proteins

Rod signals are transmitted to ON retinal ganglion cells by means of gap junctions between AII amacrine cells and ON bipolars. The AII amacrine cells are known to express connexin36 (Cx36), but previous studies of Cx36 in ON cone bipolars have been ambiguous. Here, we studied bipolar cells in a transgenic mouse line that expresses high levels of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in one type of ON cone bipolar cell. We found strong Cx36 immunostaining in the axon terminals of the GFP-labeled type 357 bipolar cells in both vertical sections and whole mounts of the retina. This finding was confirmed by single-cell immunostaining and single-cell reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). As reported previously (Maxeiner et al., 2005), Cx45 was found in some ON bipolar cells, but RT-PCR showed Cx36 and not Cx45 to be expressed by the type 357 bipolar cells. Some of the remaining GFP-negative bipolar cells expressed Cx45 but not Cx36. It appears that different types of ON cone bipolar cells express different connexins at their gap junctions with AII amacrine cells.
Intranasal ciclesonide for allergic rhinitis

Ciclesonide is a novel corticosteroid which is optimized for topical use. It is a pro-drug which is activated locally in the airway mucosa, lipid-conjugated for local retention, and has very high protein binding in circulation leading to low systemic bioavailability. These characteristics should lead to highly selective activity with reduced local and systemic side effects. It has been established as an inhaled medication for asthma and has also been shown in double-blind trials to be efficacious for the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. However no data have yet demonstrated superiority over existing nasal topical corticosteroids, either in terms of efficacy or adverse effects, and trials have not yet clearly shown efficacy in rhinitis in children. Therefore the place of ciclesonide in the treatment of allergic rhinitis relative to other existing products remains unclear.
PixelNet: Representation of the pixels, by the pixels, and for the pixels

We explore design principles for general pixel-level prediction problems, from low-level edge detection to mid-level surface normal estimation to high-level semantic segmentation. Convolutional predictors, such as the fully-convolutional network (FCN), have achieved remarkable success by exploiting the spatial redundancy of neighboring pixels through convolutional processing. Though computationally efficient, we point out that such approaches are not statistically efficient during learning precisely because spatial redundancy limits the information learned from neighboring pixels. We demonstrate that stratified sampling of pixels allows one to (1) add diversity during batch updates, speeding up learning; (2) explore complex nonlinear predictors, improving accuracy; and (3) efficiently train state-of-the-art models tabula rasa (i.e., "from scratch") for diverse pixel-labeling tasks. Our single architecture produces state-of-the-art results for semantic segmentation on PASCAL-Context dataset, surface normal estimation on NYUDv2 depth dataset, and edge detection on BSDS.
Impracticability of informed consent in the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network.

BACKGROUND Government legislators and research ethics boards in some jurisdictions require all patients to give written informed consent before enrollment in clinical registries. However, the effect of such a requirement on the use of clinical registries and the extent to which registry data can be generalized remain uncertain. METHODS We examined the effectiveness of a comprehensive attempt to obtain informed consent between June 2001 and December 2002 on the overall participation rate and the characteristics of participating patients in the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network, a prospective registry based at 20 major stroke centers across Canada. RESULTS The overall participation rate (i.e., the consent rate among all potential participants) was 39.3 percent of 4285 eligible patients during phase 1 of the project (June 2001 through February 2002) and 50.6 percent of 2823 eligible patients during phase 2 (June 2002 through December 2002), despite the presence of neurologic research nurse coordinators at each site. Many patients died or left the hospital before they could be approached for consent. Major selection biases were found; the in-hospital mortality rate was much lower among patients who were enrolled (6.9 percent) than among those who were not enrolled (21.7 percent) (relative risk of in-hospital death, 3.13; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.65 to 3.70; P<0.001). We estimate that approximately 500,000 dollars (Canadian dollars) was spent on consent-related issues during the first two years of the registry. CONCLUSIONS Obtaining written informed consent for participation in a stroke registry led to important selection biases, such that registry patients were not representative of the typical patient with stroke at each center. These findings highlight the need for legislation on privacy and policies permitting waivers of informed consent for minimal-risk observational research.
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Administration in Postnatal Life Results in Motor Unit Enlargement and Continuous Synaptic Remodeling at the Neuromuscular Junction

Overexpression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in embryonic muscle fibers causes dramatic hyperinnervation of neuromuscular junctions. However, it is not known whether GDNF induces the extra innervation by regulation of axonal branching and/or synaptic maintenance. To address this issue, high levels of circulating GDNF were established by administering subcutaneous injections starting either at birth or later and continuing for up to 40 d. Treatment with exogenous GDNF beginning in the first week, but not later, increased the number of axons converging at neuromuscular junctions. The effect of GDNF on the branching pattern of individual motor axons was determined by reconstructing labeled axonal arbors from transgenic mice expressing yellow fluorescent protein in subsets of motor neurons. Whereas, at postnatal day 8 (P8) individual axons in control animals branched to sporadically innervate junctions within circumscribed regions of the muscle, motor units from GDNF injected animals had significantly more axonal branches and exhibited a high degree of localized arborization such that adjacent muscle fibers were often innervated by the same axon. Administration beginning at P0 and continuing through P40 prolonged multiple innervation of most fibers throughout the period of injection. Between P30 and P40 there was no net change in multiple innervation, although there was evidence of retraction bulbs, suggesting that axon extension and retraction were in equilibrium. We conclude that GDNF has a developmentally regulated effect on presynaptic branching and that sustained administration of GDNF induces a state of continuous synaptic remodeling.
Worry and rumination : underlying processes and transdiagnostic characteristics

Worry and rumination are cognitive processes that have been proposed to constitute a driving force across many psychological disorders, emotional disorders in particular. The two concepts are often referred to by the overarching term repetitive negative thinking (RNT), however whether they are indeed representations of the same process is debated. The main aim of the present thesis is to contribute to the ongoing worry-rumination debate by investigating whether worry and rumination are indeed transdiagnostic processes and whether they represent a shared underlying process. In accordance with this aim several studies were designed covering two lines of research; i) epidemiological studies comparing worry and rumination in their relationship with each other and with emotional disorders; ii) experimental studies examining worry at a more functional/process level. Overall the studies presented in this thesis yield support for both accounts: worry and rumination are highly related, are present across emotional disorders and show both similarities and differences at process level. Especially at a general, abstract, level similarities between worry and rumination seem to predominate. However, at a more concrete and specific level both similarities and differences are observed. Such differences can be relevant for research as well as therapeutic interventions. Depending on the questions in a certain research or clinical context emphasis on a more general-abstract or concrete-specific perspective on worry and rumination seems warranted.
Hookah's new popularity among US college students: a pilot study of the characteristics of hookah smokers and their Facebook displays

Objectives (1) To confirm the prevalence of hookah use among US college students. (2) To identify substances commonly smoked in hookahs and other substance use characteristics of hookah smokers. (3) Given the powerful influence of Facebook and its potential role in promoting behaviours, to assess the prevalence of hookah references on Facebook profiles. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Two large US universities; www.Facebook. com. Participants 307 Facebook profiles were coded and 216 of these profile owners completed an online survey. On average, participants were 18.8 years old (SD=0.7), women (54%), Caucasian (70.4%) and approximately half were from each university. Outcome measures Lifetime and frequency of hookah use, substance smoked in hookah, cigarette and marijuana use, hookah references displayed on Facebook. Results 27.8% of participants endorsed hookah use; there were no significant differences between age, gender, race or university for hookah use. Hookah users reported smoking tobacco (78%), hash (12%) and both tobacco and marijuana/hash (10%) in their hookah. Compared with non-hookah smokers, hookah smokers were more likely to report using cigarettes (OR=3.41, 95%CI=1.2 to 9.64) and marijuana (OR=15.01, 95%CI=6.5 to 34.65). Hookah references were present on 5% of Facebook profiles. Conclusions More than one quarter of college students smoke hookah. Most smoke tobacco in their hookah, and hookah smoking is associated with polysubstance use. Hookah may present new risks for nicotine addiction in this population.
Pseudolite Augmentation of GPS

1.1 GPS – benefits & constraints The Global Positioning System (GPS) is an all-weather, global, satellite-based, roundthe-clock system developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, which since the early 1980s has been available to the civilian community and has truly revolutionized navigation, surveying and geodesy. GPS is based on a constellation of up to 30 satellites orbiting the Earth, broadcasting signals that permit a GPS receiver to determine its position, velocity and time from observations to at least four visible satellites. GPS is the most effective general-purpose tool ever developed for geopositioning on land, at sea, in the air, and in space. GPS, and similar follow-on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), will be the conerstone geolocation technology for the next few decades. However, standard GPS/GNSS is not ideal for ubiquitous positioning requirements as it cannot be used indoors or where the satellite signals may be obstructed by buildings or foliage.
The effect of long Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy in gastric cancer patients with type 2 diabetes and body mass index < 35 kg/m2: preliminary results

Purpose We applied a long Roux-en-Y (RY) gastrojejunostomy (bypassed jejunum over 100 cm) as a reconstruction method for diabetes control to gastric cancer patients with type 2 diabetes and body mass index (BMI) < 35 kg/m2. The effect of this procedure on diabetes control was assessed. Methods We prospectively performed modified RY gastrojejunostmy after curative radical distal gastrectomy. Thirty patients had completed a 1-year follow-up. Patients were followed concerning their diabetic status. The factors included in the investigation were length of bypassed jejunum, BMI and its reduction ratio, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, and duration of diabetes. Diabetic status after surgery was assessed in three categories: remission, improvement, and stationary. In evaluation of surgical effects on diabetes control, remission and improvement groups were regarded as effective groups, while stationary was regarded as an ineffective group. Results At postoperative one year, statistical significance was observed in the mean BMI and HbA1c. Diabetes control was achieved in 50% of the patients (remission, 30%; improvement, 20%). BMI reduction ratio, preoperative HbA1c, and duration of diabetes were correlated to the status of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The preoperative HbA1c was the most influential predictor in diabetic control. Conclusion The effect of long RY gastrojejunostomy after gastrectomy for diabetes control could be contentious but an applicable reconstruction method for diabetes control in gastric cancer patients with type 2 diabetes and BMI < 35 kg/m2. Diabetes remission is expected to be higher in patients with greater BMI reduction, short duration of diabetes, and lower preoperative HbA1c.
Gradient Coding

We propose a novel coding theoretic framework for mitigating stragglers in distributed learning. We show how carefully replicating data blocks and coding across gradients can provide tolerance to failures and stragglers for Synchronous Gradient Descent. We implement our schemes in python (using MPI) to run on Amazon EC2, and show how we compare against baseline approaches in running time and generalization error.
Variance reduction for Monte Carlo solutions of the Boltzmann equation

We show that by considering only the deviation from equilibrium, significant computational savings can be obtained in Monte Carlo evaluations of the Boltzmann collision integral for flow problems in the small Mach number (Ma) limit. The benefits of this variance reduction approach include a significantly reduced statistical uncertainty when the deviation from equilibrium is small, and a flow-velocity signal-to-noise ratio that remains approximately constant with Ma in the Ma⪡1 limit. This results in stochastic Boltzmann solution methods whose computational cost for a given signal-to-noise ratio is essentially independent of Ma for Ma⪡1; our numerical implementation demonstrates this for Mach numbers as low as 10−5. These features are in sharp contrast to current particle-based simulation techniques in which statistical sampling leads to computational cost that is proportional to Ma−2, making calculations at small Ma very expensive.