Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Multidimensional Scaling Using a Maximum Correntropy Criterion

Multidimensional scaling (MDS) refers to a class of dimensionality reduction techniques, which represent entities as points in a low-dimensional space so that the interpoint distances approximate the initial pairwise dissimilarities between entities as closely as possible. The traditional methods for solving MDS are susceptible to outliers. Here, a unified framework is proposed, where the MDS is treated as maximization of a correntropy criterion, which is solved by half-quadratic optimization in either multiplicative or additive forms. By doing so, MDS can cope with an initial dissimilarity matrix contaminated with outliers because the correntropy criterion is closely related to M-estimators. Three novel algorithms are derived. Their performances are assessed experimentally against three state-of-the-art MDS techniques, namely the scaling by majorizing a complicated function, the robust Euclidean embedding, and the robust MDS under the same conditions. The experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithms perform substantially better than the aforementioned competing techniques.
Synthetic Grammar Learning : Implicit Rule Abstraction or Explicit Fragmentary Knowledge ? Pierre Perruchet and Chantal Pacteau

3 experiments were designed to demonstrate that classifying new letter strings as grammatical (i.e., conforming to a set of rules called a synthetic grammar) or ungrammatical may proceed from fragmentary conscious knowledge of the bigrams constituting the grammatical strings displayed in the study phase, rather than from an unconscious structured representation of the grammar, as Reber (1989) contended. In Experiment 1, grammaticality judgments of subjects initially studying grammatical letter strings did not differ from judgments by subjects learning from a list of the bigrams making up these strings. In Experiment 2, judgments about nongrammatical strings composed of valid bigrams placed in invalid locations were extremely poor, although better than chance. In Experiment 3 the explicit knowledge of bigrams as assessed by a recognition procedure appeared sufficient to account for observed performance on a standard test of grammaticality.
Sparse signal recovery via tree search matching pursuit

Recently, greedy algorithm has received much attention as a cost-effective means to reconstruct the sparse signals from compressed measurements. Much of previous work has focused on the investigation of a single candidate to identify the support (index set of nonzero elements) of the sparse signals. Well-known drawback of the greedy approach is that the chosen candidate is often not the optimal solution due to the myopic decision in each iteration. In this paper, we propose a tree search based sparse signal recovery algorithm referred to as the tree search matching pursuit (TSMP). Two key ingredients of the proposed TSMP algorithm to control the computational complexity are the pre-selection to put a restriction on columns of the sensing matrix to be investigated and the tree pruning to eliminate unpromising paths from the search tree. In numerical simulations of Internet of Things (IoT) environments, it is shown that TSMP outperforms conventional schemes by a large margin.
Cultural fusion theory: An alternative to acculturation

ABSTRACT This article lays out a theoretical framework for cultural fusion theory. This theory borrows from various theoretical frameworks to provide a more realistic description of the immigrant experience. Specifically, cultural fusion theory describes how newcomers acculturate into the dominant culture and maintain aspects of their minority culture, while at the same time the dominant or host culture also fuses aspects off the newcomer’s culture into the dominant culture to create a fused intercultural identity. Boundary conditions, assumptions, axioms, and theorems are presented to define cultural fusion theory.
From coordination of workflow and group activities to composition and management of virtual enterprises

The objective of the Collaboration Management Infrastructure (CMI) project at MCC is the development of technologies that support a wide class of advanced applications requiring synchronous and asynchronous coordination of activities executed by human and software agents. CMI integrates a number of technologies having their origin in workflow and process management, groupware, and document management and provides additional solutions to the problems of dynamic process modification at run time, customizable awareness of the process status, and integration of external services. We describe the Collaboration Management Model and describe briefly its implementation using a collection of commercial tools augmented with new components providing the advanced functionality. We also describe briefly further extension to the model needed to provide support for a new class of applications implementing the concept of a virtual enterprise.
Differential dendritic shrinkage of α and β retinal ganglion cells in cats with chronic glaucoma

METHODS. Chronic elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) was produced by injecting endogenous ghost red blood cells into the unilateral anterior chamber of the feline eyes for 1 month. The morphologic features of retrograde-labeled RGCs by bilateral injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into layers A and Aa1 of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) were examined and compared between the normal and glaucomatous eyes. Nissl staining was used for measuring the change in cell density in the retina and the LGN. RESULTS. Quantitative analysis of 720 labeled and type RGCs showed that the cell density, body size, maximum dendritic field radius, total dendritic length, and number of branch bifurcations of dendrites decreased significantly in glaucomatous eyes compared with normal ones. The cell loss and shrinkage of dendrites in type ganglion cells in the retina was more pronounced than that in type cells. The cell density of all kinds of cells in the retina and LGN monotonically declined with time while IOP was elevated, and cell loss was more significant in large cells than in small ones. CONCLUSION. Progressive cell loss and dendritic damage by chronic elevation of IOP in RGCs and LGN cells are more pronounced in the Y-channel (large cells) than the X-channel (small cells) in feline glaucomatous eyes. The dendritic structure changes and corresponding physiological deficits of RGCs occur before cell death and thus may provide an opportunity for clinical treatment. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44: 3005‐3010) DOI:10.1167/iovs.02-0620
Impulse control disorders in Parkinson disease: a cross-sectional study of 3090 patients.

CONTEXT An association between dopamine-replacement therapies and impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson disease (PD) has been suggested in preliminary studies. OBJECTIVES To ascertain point prevalence estimates of 4 ICDs in PD and examine their associations with dopamine-replacement therapies and other clinical characteristics. DESIGN Cross-sectional study using an a priori established sampling procedure for subject recruitment and raters blinded to PD medication status. PATIENTS Three thousand ninety patients with treated idiopathic PD receiving routine clinical care at 46 movement disorder centers in the United States and Canada. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Massachusetts Gambling Screen score for current problem/pathological gambling, the Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview score for compulsive sexual behavior and buying, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders research criteria for binge-eating disorder. RESULTS An ICD was identified in 13.6% of patients (gambling in 5.0%, compulsive sexual behavior in 3.5%, compulsive buying in 5.7%, and binge-eating disorder in 4.3%), and 3.9% had 2 or more ICDs. Impulse control disorders were more common in patients treated with a dopamine agonist than in patients not taking a dopamine agonist (17.1% vs 6.9%; odds ratio [OR], 2.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.08-3.54; P < .001). Impulse control disorder frequency was similar for pramipexole and ropinirole (17.7% vs 15.5%; OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.94-1.57; P = .14). Additional variables independently associated with ICDs were levodopa use, living in the United States, younger age, being unmarried, current cigarette smoking, and a family history of gambling problems. CONCLUSIONS Dopamine agonist treatment in PD is associated with 2- to 3.5-fold increased odds of having an ICD. This association represents a drug class relationship across ICDs. The association of other demographic and clinical variables with ICDs suggests a complex relationship that requires additional investigation to optimize prevention and treatment strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00617019.
White matter reduced streamline coherence in young men with autism and mental retardation

Background and purpose: It has been proposed that white matter alterations might play a role in autistic disorders; however, published data are mainly limited to high‐functioning autism. The goal of this study was to apply diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fiber tractography (FT) to study white matter in low‐functioning autism and the relationship between white matter and cognitive impairment.
Implementing the Swiss Exchange trading system

The Swiss Exchange (SWX) system is the most sophisticated, to our current knowledge, first fully computerised, stock exchange system integrating trading, clearing, settlement and member back offices. The system consists of two main components, the ES (Exchange System) and the TS (Trading System). The ES has only one instance run by SWX (Swiss Exchange) providing the core functionality allowing to trade against a central order book. The TS has at least one instance per SWX member. The paper focuses on aspects concerning the TS and its specific requirements. After a brief description of the design the paper concentrates on the difficulties encountered while solving the challenging and sometimes conflicting requirements of the project, the current solutions and their shortcomings. Other topics concern the development of tools for performance prediction, evaluation and tuning and the final testing and deployment of the system.
Environmental pollutants as risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer (AD) and Parkinson (PD) have attracted attention in last decades due to their high incidence worldwide. The etiology of these diseases is still unclear; however the role of the environment as a putative risk factor has gained importance. More worryingly is the evidence that pre- and post-natal exposures to environmental factors predispose to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases in later life. Neurotoxic metals such as lead, mercury, aluminum, cadmium and arsenic, as well as some pesticides and metal-based nanoparticles have been involved in AD due to their ability to increase beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptide and the phosphorylation of Tau protein (P-Tau), causing senile/amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) characteristic of AD. The exposure to lead, manganese, solvents and some pesticides has been related to hallmarks of PD such as mitochondrial dysfunction, alterations in metal homeostasis and aggregation of proteins such as α-synuclein (α-syn), which is a key constituent of Lewy bodies (LB), a crucial factor in PD pathogenesis. Common mechanisms of environmental pollutants to increase Aβ, P-Tau, α-syn and neuronal death have been reported, including the oxidative stress mainly involved in the increase of Aβ and α-syn, and the reduced activity/protein levels of Aβ degrading enzyme (IDE)s such as neprilysin or insulin IDE. In addition, epigenetic mechanisms by maternal nutrient supplementation and exposure to heavy metals and pesticides have been proposed to lead phenotypic diversity and susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. This review discusses data from epidemiological and experimental studies about the role of environmental factors in the development of idiopathic AD and PD, and their mechanisms of action.
Sleep and headaches: Relationships between migraine and non‐migraine headaches and sleep duration, sleep quality, chronotype, and obstructive sleep apnoea risk

Objectives Primary headache disorders affect a large proportion of the world's population, and sleep factors have been increasingly implicated in their aetiology. This study aimed to assess the relationships between a number of sleep factors, sleep duration, sleep quality, and chronotype, and migraine and non‐migraine headache. The approach was multifaceted which included assessing correlations with headache frequency, mediation effects of headache triggers, and diagnostic prediction modelling. Method A total of 378 participants retained in the dataset (85.2% female) completed a battery of online self‐report tests measuring headache diagnosis and triggers, sleep factors, psychological distress, and demographic factors. Results Poor sleep quality was the strongest correlate of both migraine and non‐migraine headache. Poor sleep quality also was found to mediate the effect of sensitivity to headaches triggered by lack of sleep, in the order of 10% of the effect. The predictive modelling showed that morning chronotype was a significant predictor of chronic migraine, and that evening chronotype and anxiety significantly predicted chronic non‐migraine headache diagnosis. Conclusions The results indicate the importance of sleep quality in the headache relationship, and how it may impact on headaches triggered by other sleep factors, namely, lack of sleep. Further investigation into the role of chronotype in headache aetiology is needed, particularly, based on two theories. The first being the Trigger Avoidance Model of Headaches, and the second being a stress‐based model related to social and occupational incompatibilities with the rhythms of more extreme morning or evening chronotypes.
An Investigation on the Solid Dispersions of Chlordiazepoxide

The aim of this study was to prepare solid dispersions of chlordiazepoxide techniques to improve its dissolution rate. To this end, three techniques namely, two solvent methods and co-grinding technique were used. Solid dispersions of chlordiazepoxide in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Eudragit E100, Mannitol and Sorbitol with two different ratios of drug to carrier (5:5 and 1:9) were prepared. These solid dispersions were evaluated using dissolution tester to monitor dissolution behaviour and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to investigate interaction between the drug and carriers in solid dispersion samples. Solid dispersion of chlordiazepoxide with all three carriers (PVP, mannitol and eudragit E) prepared by solvent method showed considerable increase in the dissolution rate of chlordiazepoxide in comparison with physical mixture and pure drug at different pH values. According to the results of this investigation cogrinding technique yields solid dispersions with a less improved dissolution rate than does the solvent deposition technique. Infrared studies showed no interaction between chlordiazepoxide and carriers in solid dispersions in solid state.
Separate Introns Gained within Short and Long Soluble Peridinin-Chlorophyll a-Protein Genes during Radiation of Symbiodinium (Dinophyceae) Clade A and B Lineages

Here we document introns in two Symbiodinium clades that were most likely gained following divergence of this genus from other peridinin-containing dinoflagellate lineages. Soluble peridinin-chlorophyll a-proteins (sPCP) occur in short and long forms in different species. Duplication and fusion of short sPCP genes produced long sPCP genes. All short and long sPCP genes characterized to date, including those from free living species and Symbiodinium sp. 203 (clade C/type C2) are intronless. However, we observed that long sPCP genes from two Caribbean Symbiodinium clade B isolates each contained two introns. To test the hypothesis that introns were gained during radiation of clade B, we compared sPCP genomic and cDNA sequences from 13 additional distinct Caribbean and Pacific Symbiodinium clade A, B, and F isolates. Long sPCP genes from all clade B/B1 and B/B19 descendants contain orthologs of both introns. Short sPCP genes from S. pilosum (A/A2) and S. muscatinei (B/B4) plus long sPCP genes from S. microadriaticum (A/A1) and S. kawagutii (F/F1) are intronless. Short sPCP genes of S. microadriaticum have a third unique intron. Symbiodinium clade B long sPCP sequences are useful for assessing divergence among B1 and B19 descendants. Phylogenetic analyses of coding sequences from four dinoflagellate orders indicate that introns were gained independently during radiation of Symbiodinium clades A and B. Long sPCP introns were present in the most recent common ancestor of Symbiodinium clade B core types B1 and B19, which apparently diverged sometime during the Miocene. The clade A short sPCP intron was either gained by S. microadriaticum or possibly by the ancestor of Symbiodinium types A/A1, A3, A4 and A5. The timing of short sPCP intron gain in Symbiodinium clade A is less certain. But, all sPCP introns were gained after fusion of ancestral short sPCP genes, which we confirm as occurring once in dinoflagellate evolution.
Trade Credit : The Interaction of Financing , Operations , Marketing and Risk Management ∗

This paper builds a comprehensive model that treats trade credit as the interaction of financing, operations, marketing and default-risk management. Our model is featured by using a two-stage lottery method to describe default risk, in the context of which the incentive-compatible model is formulated. We find that the capital cost of the supplier is the most important factor determining the credit term. Default risk acts like a filtering criterion for selecting retailers eligible for credit. Empirical evidence supporting our theoretical considerations is obtained by estimating three panel econometric models, using a dataset of manufacturing companies drawn from COMPUSTAT database.
The desire for longevity: Development of the Personal Longevity Scale

ABSTRACT A new psychometrically acceptable measure of the desire to live a very long life was devised using two samples. In Study 1, initial exploratory analyses of the Personal Longevity Scale (PLS) scale revealed a two-factor structure. The Hope factor represents the hopefulness participants have with regards to their expectations about personal longevity. The second factor, Dread, represents the fear and uneasiness associated with self-perceptions of living a very long life. In Study 2, the bidimensional nature of the PLS measure was confirmed, and the scale was further refined to include a final of seven items. Four items represent Hope (α = .85), and three items represent Dread (α = .78). Theoretical rationales for the two-factor structure of personal longevity are discussed. In Study 3, the PLS was compared to three similar measures of attitudes about aging. The results indicate that the PLS has moderate levels of convergent and discriminant validity. Potential uses for the new scale are discussed.
Asymptotics of Input-Constrained Binary Symmetric Channel Capacity

We study the classical problem of noisy constrained capacity in the case of the binary symmetric channel (BSC), namely, the capacity of a BSC whose inputs are sequences chosen from a constrained set. Motivated by a result of Ordentlich and Weissman in [28], we derive an asymptotic formula (when the noise parameter is small) for the entropy rate of a hidden Markov chain, observed when a Markov chain passes through a BSC. Using this result we establish an asymptotic formula for the capacity of a BSC with input process supported on an irreducible flnite type constraint, as the noise parameter tends to zero. 1. Introduction and Background. Let X;Y be discrete random variables with alphabet X;Y and joint probability mass function pX;Y (x;y) 4 P(X = x;Y = y), x 2 X;y 2 Y (for notational simplicity, we will write p(x;y) rather than pX;Y (x;y), similarly p(x);p(y) rather than pX(x);pY (y), respectively, when it is clear from the context). The entropy H(X) of the discrete random variable X, which measures the level of uncertainty of X, is deflned as (in this paper log is taken to mean the natural logarithm)
WebExpress: a system for optimizing Web browsing in a wireless environment

This paper describes software technology that makes it possible to nm Internet World Wide Web applications in wide area wireless networks. Web technology in conjunction with today's mobile devices (e.g., laptops, notebooks, personal digital assistants) and the emerging wireless technologies (e.g., packet radio, CDPD) offer the potential for unprecedented access to data and applications by mobile workers. Yet, the limited bandwidth, high latency, high cost, and poor reliability of today's wireless wide-area networks greatly inhibits (even to the point of being unfeasible) supporting Web applications over wireless networks. WebExpress significantly reduces user cost and response time of wireless communications by intercepting the HITP data stream and performing various optimizations including: flle caching, forms differencing, protocol reduction, and the elimination of redundant HTTP header transmission. This paper describes these optimizations and presents some experiment results.
ECG signal classification using support vector machine based on wavelet multiresolution analysis

In this paper we propose a highly reliable ECG analysis and classification approach using discrete wavelet transform multiresolution analysis and support vector machine (SVM). This approach is composed of three stages, including ECG signal preprocessing, feature selection, and classification of ECG beats. Wavelet transform is used for signal preprocessing, denoising, and for extracting the coefficients of the transform as features of each ECG beat which are employed as inputs to the classifier. SVM is used to construct a classifier to categorize the input ECG beat into one of 14 classes. In this work, 17260 ECG beats, including 14 different beat types, were selected from the MIT/BIH arrhythmia database. The average accuracy of classification for recognition of the 14 heart beat types is 99.2%.
Heritability of borderline personality disorder features is similar across three countries

Summary Background Most of our knowledge about borderline personality disorder features has been obtained through the study of clinical samples. Although these studies are important in their own right, they are limited in their ability to address certain important epidemiological and aetiological questions such as the degree to which there is a genetic influence on the manifestation of borderline personality disorder features. Though family history studies of borderline personality disorder indicate genetic influences, there have been very few twin studies and the degree of genetic influence on borderline personality disorder remains unclear. Method Data were drawn from twin samples from The Netherlands (n=3918), Belgium (n=904) and Australia (n=674). In total, data were available on 5496 twins between the ages of 18 and 86 years from 3644 families who participated in the study by completion of a mailed self-report questionnaire on borderline personality disorder features. Results In all countries, females scored higher than males and there was a general tendency for younger adults to endorse more borderline personality disorder features than older adults. Model-fitting results showed that additive genetic influences explain 42% of the variation in borderline personality disorder features in both men and women and that this heritability estimate is similar across The Netherlands, Belgium and Australia. Unique environmental influences explain the remaining 58% of the variance. Conclusion Genetic factors play a role in individual differences in borderline personality disorder features in Western society.