Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-Range Dependent Curve Time Series

Abstract We introduce methods and theory for functional or curve time series with long-range dependence. The temporal sum of the curve process is shown to be asymptotically normally distributed, the conditions for this covering a functional version of fractionally integrated autoregressive moving averages. We also construct an estimate of the long-run covariance function, which we use, via functional principal component analysis, in estimating the orthonormal functions spanning the dominant subspace of the curves. In a semiparametric context, we propose an estimate of the memory parameter and establish its consistency. A Monte Carlo study of finite-sample performance is included, along with two empirical applications. The first of these finds a degree of stability and persistence in intraday stock returns. The second finds similarity in the extent of long memory in incremental age-specific fertility rates across some developed nations. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Semantic memory is an amodal, dynamic system: Evidence from the interaction of naming and object use in semantic dementia

Classic neurological accounts and some contemporary theories of semantic memory assume that concepts are acquired through a learning process that draws together information experienced in each of our verbal and nonverbal modalities. These accounts embody three critical assumptions: semantic representations are amodal; the mapping between surface form and meaning varies for different modalities; and the representations are dynamic. The influence of these three factors was revealed in data collected over a 4‐year longitudinal period in two patients with semantic dementia. Semantic assessment revealed a parallel decline in verbal and nonverbal aspects of conceptual knowledge, reflecting a gradual degradation of a single amodal semantic system. As expected, when the patients' semantic impairment was mild, they presented with profound anomia but relatively preserved object use. Over time, performance on all semantic tasks including object use declined. High item‐by‐item consistency across these tasks was observed in all testing sessions. The impact of dynamic semantic representations was revealed by a striking clinical finding. Although unable to name many of the objects in isolation, their performance was significantly facilitated if they were asked to name while they demonstrated the use of each object. These results are discussed in the context of contemporary models of semantic memory.
B lymphocytes mediate Fas‐dependent cytotoxicity in MRL/lpr mice

The Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) pathway is one of the two major effector mechanisms of T cell‐mediated cytotoxicity. To prevent nonspecific killing by lymphoid cells, FasL expression on the cell surface of immune effector cells is strictly regulated. However, MRL/lpr autoimmune‐prone mice massively overexpress FasL on their T lymphocytes, which render them able to kill Fas+ targets in vitro and in vivo. It is surprising that we show in the present work that B lymphocytes purified from MRL/lpr spleen cells express FasL to the same extent as T cells at the mRNA and protein level. These B cells are potent cytotoxic effectors against Fas+ but not Fas− targets. The B lymphocyte effectors were used ex vivo without any in vitro activation by B cell stimuli. Furthermore, we found that MRL/lpr B lymphocytes have the same cytotoxic potential as natural killer cells, which have been characterized as potent, Fas‐mediated, cytotoxic effectors. The level of membrane‐anchored FasL increases with the size of the B cell and cell‐surface activation marker CD69 expression, indicating that the expression of FasL is up‐regulated in parallel with the activation state of the B cell. The activated B cell population contained the major cytotoxic activity, and a minor part was associated with CD138/Syndecan‐1+ plasma cells.
The relation between 5780 and 5797 diffuse interstellar bands, CH/CH+
molecules, and atomic or molecular hydrogen

Correlations between column densities of neutral and molecular hydrogen and strengths of major 5780 and 5797 Å diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) based on spectra of 66 OB stars were analyzed. We confirm that the 5797 Å DIB is more tightly correlated with column density of molecular hydrogen while the 5780 DIB – with that of atomic hydrogen. This leads to a reasonably tight relation between the molecular fraction of H2 and equivalent width ratio of the 5797 and 5780 major diffuse bands with correlation coefficient equal to 0.77 ± 0.05. Column densities of CH and CH+ molecules were used to analyze correlations between abundances of CH/CH+ molecules and strengths of the major 5780 and 5797 DIBs. The 5780 DIB is better correlated with the column density of methydyline cation than the 5797 DIB. A relation with correlation coefficient equal to 0.95 ± 0.02 based on precise column densities, between column densities of CH and H2 molecules, is also presented; in other words, the column densitiy ratio in the case of H2 and CH molecules in the ISM is equal to (2.01 ± 0.09) × 107.
Service-Oriented Infrastructure to Support the Deployment of Evolvable Production Systems

Nowadays, Service-oriented Architecture (SOA) paradigm is becoming a broadly deployed standard for business and enterprise integration. It continuously spreads across the diverse layers of the enterprise organization and disparate domains of application envisioning a unified communication solution. In the industrial domain, Evolvable Production System (EPS) paradigm focus on the identification of guidelines and solutions to support the design, operation, maintenance, and evolution of complete industrial infrastructures. Similarly to several other domains, the crescent ubiquity of smart devices is raising important lifecycle concerns such as device setup, control, management, supervision and diagnosis. From initial setup and deployment to system lifecycle monitoring and evolution, each device needs to be taken into account and easily reachable. The present work exploits the association of EPS and SOA paradigms in the pursuit of a common architectural solution to support the different phases of the device lifecycle. The result is a modular, adaptive and open infrastructure forming a complete SOA ecosystem that will make use of the embedded capabilities supported by the proposed device model. The infrastructure components are specified and it is shown how they can interact and be combined to adapt to current system specificity and requirements. Finally, a proof-of-concept prototype deployed in a real industrial production scenario is also detailed and results are presented.
Nephrocalcinosis and Nephrolithiasis in X-Linked Hypophosphatemic Rickets: Diagnostic Imaging and Risk Factors

Abstract Context Nephrocalcinosis (NC) and nephrolithiasis (NL) are described in hypophosphatemic rickets, but data regarding their prevalence rates and the presence of metabolic risk factors in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) are scarce. Objective To determine the prevalence rates of NC and NL and their risk factors in patients with XLH with confirmed PHEX mutations. Methods Renal ultrasonography (US) and CT were performed in 16 children and 23 adults. The images were evaluated by two blinded radiologists specializing in US and two specializing in CT. Confirmation of NC was determined with a positive result on both US and CT, whereas the diagnosis of NL was confirmed by CT alone. The presence of hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, and hyperoxaluria was determined from 24-hour urinary samples from each patient. The glomerular filtration rate was estimated. Results NC was identified in 15 patients (38.4%), and stratification by age group showed a higher prevalence of NC in children than in adults (56.2% vs 26.1%). CT identified NL in four adults (10.2%). Patients in the pediatric group required intensive use of phosphate, started treatment earlier, and presented greater phosphaturia than those in the adult group (P < 0.01). In addition to hyperphosphaturia, which was present in all patients with XLH, hypocitraturia was the most common metabolic factor (28.2%), whereas hypercalciuria occurred in two patients (5.1%). None had hyperoxaluria. Most patients had normal renal function. Conclusions NC was more prevalent than NL. The main metabolic factor was hyperphosphaturia, and intensive phosphate treatment appears to be a worsening factor for kidney calcification.
Vascular Endothelial Cell Growth Factors Promote the In Vitro Development of Rat Photoreceptor Cells

We have identified and characterized a novel trophic effect of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) on photoreceptor cells. Treatment of retinal cultures, derived from postnatal day 1 (P1) rats, with VEGF-2 resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in the level of rhodopsin protein, as determined by ELISA assay. After 7–9 d of treatment the VEGF-1 or VEGF-2, at a concentration of 10 ng/ml, induced a 200–300% increase in rhodopsin protein and a 220% increase in the number of rhodopsin-immunopositive cells. Treatment with VEGF-2 induced a 250% increase in the number of syntaxin-immunopositive cells and a 67% increase in high-affinity GABA uptake, both markers for amacrine cells. In contrast, there was no increase in the non-neuronal cell populations. VEGF-2 induced an ∼300% increase in the number of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled (BrdU) retinal cells within 48 hr of treatment. After 3 d in culture both the basal and stimulated levels of BrdU incorporation were reduced, suggesting that the proliferative effect of VEGF was restricted developmentally. Furthermore, there was a developmentally dependent increase in the mitogenic response to VEGF-2, with retinal cultures derived from E15, E20, or P1 animals demonstrating a 50, 100, and 300% increase in thymidine incorporation, respectively. However, VEGF treatment resulted in an increase in the number of rhodopsin-immunopositive cells only when the cultures were derived from P1 animals. Therefore, retinal progenitor cells appear to be targets for VEGF, and thus VEGF may be involved in the regulation of the early developmental program of retinal neurogenesis.
A protocol for rapid micropropagation of endangered Isoplexis

SummaryAn efficient protocol for large-scale micropropagation of Isoplexis canariensis (L.) Loud. , I. chalcantha Svent, and O'Shan. , and I. isabelliana (Webb and Berth.) Masf. (Scrophulariaceae) is reported. Multiple shoots were obtained from shoot tips and nodal segments isolated from seedlings when cultured under varying conditions. Factors such as nutrient media, concentration of growth regulators, and type of induction medium (liquid or solid) strongly influenced shoot proliferation and development. Multiple well-developed shoots were obtained after induction on solid media containing Murashige and Skoog full-strength salts and low cytokinin concentrations. By changing the major salt formulation to half strength and employing liquid media the morphogenic parameters evaluated were affected negatively. Many shoots rooted spontaneously in hormone-free media and plants grew successfully in the greenhouse. Flowering was observed 6 mo. after ex vitro cultures were established.
A Survey on Sensor Coverage and Visual Data Capturing/Processing/Transmission in Wireless Visual Sensor Networks

Wireless Visual Sensor Networks (WVSNs) where camera-equipped sensor nodes can capture, process and transmit image/video information have become an important new research area. As compared to the traditional wireless sensor networks (WSNs) that can only transmit scalar information (e.g., temperature), the visual data in WVSNs enable much wider applications, such as visual security surveillance and visual wildlife monitoring. However, as compared to the scalar data in WSNs, visual data is much bigger and more complicated so intelligent schemes are required to capture/process/transmit visual data in limited resources (hardware capability and bandwidth) WVSNs. WVSNs introduce new multi-disciplinary research opportunities of topics that include visual sensor hardware, image and multimedia capture and processing, wireless communication and networking. In this paper, we survey existing research efforts on the visual sensor hardware, visual sensor coverage/deployment, and visual data capture/processing/transmission issues in WVSNs. We conclude that WVSN research is still in an early age and there are still many open issues that have not been fully addressed. More new novel multi-disciplinary, cross-layered, distributed and collaborative solutions should be devised to tackle these challenging issues in WVSNs.
Long-Term Performance Evaluation of Concrete Pavements Containing Recycled Concrete Aggregate in Oklahoma

To overcome the challenges associated with natural aggregate shortage and the disposal of construction and demolition waste, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) has been increasingly used in Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement as a virgin aggregate replacement. The work in this study involved conducting a performance evaluation of the existing RCA-PCC pavements in Oklahoma from different aspects, including: laboratory determination of mechanical properties; a petrographic examination of the concrete; a field evaluation using a falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing; and distress surveys to assess pavement behavior. The laboratory testing of the field cores confirmed that the addition of RCA into PCC causes a reduction in the modulus of elasticity and tensile strength; the reclaimed mortar was found to be the primary weak zone through which cracks pass. The surface condition survey data and analysis of the FWD results match each other, indicating that the RCA joined plain concrete pavement (JPCP) section exhibited lower performance compared with the control JPCP section. But this trend was not as definitive for continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP). The relatively good performance of the RCA CRCP results from the section being rested on a stronger asphalt concrete base layer. Additionally, the inherent stiffness fundamental to the behavior of CRCP provides a superior level of protection of the base from erosion damage compared with a jointed pavement. The findings indicate that erosion-resistant base support and good load transfer are essential design considerations for JPCP made of RCA-PCC. CRCP appears to be more suitable for the use of RCA-PCC.
Post‐thrombotic syndrome: prevalence, prognostication and need for progress

Despite considerable progress in the diagnosis and treatment of deep‐vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities, one of every 2–3 patients will develop within 2 years post‐thrombotic sequelae, which are severe in approximately 10% of cases and produce considerable socio‐economic consequences. Among factors potentially related to the development of the post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) are older age, obesity, a history of previous ipsilateral DVT, iliac‐femoral location of the current thrombosis, failure to promptly recover from the acute symptoms and insufficient quality of oral anticoagulant therapy. Based on recent findings, the lack of vein recanalization within the first 6 months after DVT appears to be an important predictor of PTS, while the role of venous reflux is controversial. According to the results of recent clinical studies, the prompt administration of adequate compression elastic stockings in patients with symptomatic DVT has the potential to halve the frequency of PTS, and when carefully supervised and instructed to wear proper elastic stockings, more than 50% of patients have the potential to either remain stable or improve during long‐term follow‐up. Nevertheless, due to limitations in current therapies, the management of PTS is demanding and often frustrating. Further research is required to optimize the prevention and management of this common and burdensome complication of DVT.
Periodic oscillations in weakly connected cellular nonlinear networks

Weakly connected oscillatory cellular networks are investigated. It is assumed that each cell admits of a Lur'e description. In case of weak coupling the main dynamic features of the network are revealed by the phase deviation equation (i.e. the equation that describes the phase deviation due to the weak coupling). In this manuscript a very accurate analytic expression of the phase deviation equation is derived via the joint application of the describing function technique and of Malkin's theorem. It is shown that the total number of periodic limit cycles with their stability properties can be estimated through the analysis of the phase deviation equation.
Lenalidomide as a novel treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

Introduction: Lenalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory drug derived from thalidomide. This drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for transfusion-dependent anemia due to low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with deletion 5q abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities and multiple myeloma in combination with dexamethasone. Trials have been conducted for its use in higher-risk MDS and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Areas covered: The pharmacokinetic and mechanism of action are discussed and clinical studies of lenalidomide in AML are reported herein in detail. An overview of safety and tolerability is also presented. Expert opinion: Lenalidomide has clinical activity in AML with manageable toxicity. The population that would benefit from lenalidomide and optimal dose needs to be better defined. Recent trials have focused on combining lenalidomide with other agents active in MDS and AML and promising data are emerging.
Determining the Potency and Molecular Mechanism of Action of Insurmountable Antagonists

Insurmountable antagonism (maximal response to the agonist depressed) can result from a temporal inequilibrium involving a slow offset orthosteric antagonist or be the result of an allosteric modulation of the receptor. The former mechanism is operative when the antagonist, agonist, and receptors cannot come to proper equilibrium during the time allotted for collection of agonist response (hemi-equilibrium conditions). Allosteric effects (changes in the conformation of the receptor through binding of the allosteric modulator to a separate site) can preclude the agonist-induced production of response, leading to depression of maximal responses. In these cases, the effects on receptor affinity can be observed as well. The first premise of this article is that system-independent estimates of insurmountable antagonist potency can be made with no prior knowledge of molecular mechanism through the use of pA2 (–log molar concentration of antagonist producing a 2-fold shift of the concentration response curve) measurements The relationship between the pA2 and antagonist pKB (–log equilibrium dissociation constant of the antagonist-receptor complex) is described; the former is an extremely close approximation of the latter in most cases. The second premise is that specially designed experiments are required to differentiate orthosteric versus allosteric mechanisms; simply fitting of data to orthosteric or allosteric theoretical models can lead to ambiguous results. A strategy to determine whether the observed antagonism is orthosteric (agonist and antagonist competing for the same binding site on the receptor) or allosteric in nature is described that involves the detection of the hallmarks of allosteric response, namely saturation and probe dependence of effect.
Th1/Th2 balance of peripheral T helper cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the Th1/Th2 balance of peripheral Th cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS The Th1:Th2 ratio was analyzed in 3 groups: SLE without proteinuria (group I; n = 23), SLE with proteinuria (group II; n = 31), and normal controls (group III; n = 24). Group II patients who had undergone renal biopsy were classified into 3 subgroups based on their renal histopathologic findings. The intracellular cytokine detection method with flow cytometry was used to quantitate Th1 and Th2 cells. RESULTS There was no difference in the mean Th1:Th2 ratio between SLE patients (groups I and II) and healthy controls (group III). However, the mean value in group II was significantly higher than those in groups I and III. Moreover, within group II, the mean value in SLE patients who had diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (World Health Organization class IV) was especially high. CONCLUSION Although SLE has been considered to be a disease in which Th2 cells predominate, the Th1/Th2 balance of peripheral Th cells in SLE patients in the present study did not show a predominance of these cells. In contrast, among SLE patients with WHO class IV lupus nephritis, there was a strong predominance of Th1.
Active-speaker detection and localization with microphones and cameras embedded into a robotic head

In this paper we present a method for detecting and localizing an active speaker, i.e., a speaker that emits a sound, through the fusion between visual reconstruction with a stereoscopic camera pair and sound-source localization with several microphones. Both the cameras and the microphones are embedded into the head of a humanoid robot. The proposed statistical fusion model associates 3D faces of potential speakers with 2D sound directions. The paper has two contributions: (i) a method that discretizes the two-dimensional space of all possible sound directions and that accumulates evidence for each direction by estimating the time difference of arrival (TDOA) over all the microphone pairs, such that all the microphones are used simultaneously and symmetrically and (ii) an audio-visual alignment method that maps 3D visual features onto 2D sound directions and onto TDOAs between microphone pairs. This allows to implicitly represent both sensing modalities into a common audiovisual coordinate frame. Using simulated as well as real data, we quantitatively assess the robustness of the method against noise and reverberations, and we compare it with several other methods. Finally, we describe a real-time implementation using the proposed technique and with a humanoid head embedding four microphones and two cameras: this enables natural human-robot interactive behavior.
Quadratic fluctuations of the symmetric simple exclusion

We introduce a two-dimensional, distribution-valued field, which we call the quadratic field, associated with the one-dimensional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process and we prove that the stationary quadratic fluctuations of the simple exclusion process, in the diffusive scaling, converge to this quadratic field. Moreover, we prove that this quadratic field evaluated at the diagonal corresponds to the Wick-renormalized square of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, and we use this new representation in order to prove some small and large-time properties of it.