Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A general framework for graph sparsification

We present a general framework for constructing cut sparsifiers in undirected graphs --- weighted subgraphs for which every cut has the same weight as the original graph, up to a multiplicative factor of (1 ε). Using this framework, we simplify, unify and improve upon previous sparsification results. As simple instantiations of this framework, we show that sparsifiers can be constructed by sampling edges according to their strength (a result of Benczur and Karger), effective resistance (a result of Spielman and Srivastava), edge connectivity, or by sampling random spanning trees. Sampling according to edge connectivity is the most aggressive method, and the most challenging to analyze. Our proof that this method produces sparsifiers resolves an open question of Benczur and Karger. While the above results are interesting from a combinatorial standpoint, we also prove new algorithmic results. In particular, we develop techniques that give the first (optimal) O(m)-time sparsification algorithm for unweighted graphs. Our algorithm has a running time of O(m) + ~O(n/ε2) for weighted graphs, which is also linear unless the input graph is very sparse itself. In both cases, this improves upon the previous best running times (due to Benczur and Karger) of O(m log2 n) (for the unweighted case) and O(m log3 n) (for the weighted case) respectively. Our algorithm constructs sparsifiers that contain O(n log n/ε2) edges in expectation; the only known construction of sparsifiers with fewer edges is by a substantially slower algorithm running in O(n3 m / ε2) time. A key ingredient of our proofs is a natural generalization of Karger's bound on the number of small cuts in an undirected graph. Given the numerous applications of Karger's bound, we suspect that our generalization will also be of independent interest.
Individual-based models for bacterial chemotaxis in the diffusion asymptotics

We discuss velocity-jump models for chemotaxis of bacteria with an internal state that allows the velocity-jump rate to depend on the memory of the chemoattractant concentration along their path of motion. Using probabilistic techniques, we provide a pathwise result that shows that the considered process converges to an advection-diffusion process in the (long-time) diffusion limit. We also (re-)prove using the same approach that the same limiting equation arises for a related, simpler process with direct sensing of the chemoattractant gradient. Additionally, we propose a time discretization technique that retains these diffusion limits exactly, i.e. without error that depends on the time discretization. In the companion paper,21 these results are used to construct a coupling technique that allows numerical simulation of the process with internal state with asymptotic variance reduction, in the sense that the variance vanishes in the diffusion limit.
Period Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors of Hypertension in Rural Maharashtra: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Hypertension is most common cardiovascular disease and it account for large proportion of all cardiovascular deaths and disability worldwide. Research Questions: What is the level of prevalence of hypertension in rural area? What are the soociodemographic factors associated with hypertension? Objectives: To find out prevalence of hypertension in rural area. Study Design: A community-based cross-sectional study setting: Rural Health Training Centre Paithan, field practice area of govt. medical college Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Participants: 1297 persons aged 19 years and above. Study Period: June 2005 to December 2006. Materials and Methods: A house-to-house survey was conducted by the author himself, interviewed the participants by systematic random sampling method, using pretested structured standard questionnaire. Two independent blood pressure (BP) readings were taken in sitting position by visiting each participant at their home. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP more than or equal to 140 mm of Hg or diastolic BP more than or equal to 90 mm of Hg or those individuals currently taking antihypertensive treatment. Statistical Tests: Percentiles, Chi Square test, Chi-Square for linear trend, multiple logistic regression analysis on SPSS software Version 10. Results: Overall prevalence of hypertension in the study subjects was 7.24%. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified various factors significantly associated with hypertension were age, sex, BMI, additional salt intake, smoking, DM, alcohol consumption, and higher socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of hypertension in study subjects was 7.24%.
Proteomic biomarkers of endometrial cancer risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and biomarker database integration

Abstract There is a need for research studies into the molecular mechanisms underpinning the link between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometrial cancer (EC) to facilitate screening and to encourage the development of novel strategies to prevent disease progression. The objective of this review was to identify proteomic biomarkers of EC risk in women with PCOS. All eligible published studies on proteomic biomarkers for EC identified through the literature were evaluated. Proteomic biomarkers for EC were then integrated with an updated previously published database of all proteomic biomarkers identified so far in PCOS women. Nine protein biomarkers were similarly either under or over expressed in women with EC and PCOS in various tissues. These include transgelin, pyruvate kinase M1/M2, gelsolin-like capping protein (macrophage capping protein), glutathione S-transferase P, leucine aminopeptidase (cytosol aminopeptidase), peptidyl-prolyl cis-transisomerase, cyclophilin A, complement component C4A and manganese-superoxide dismutase. If validated, these biomarkers may provide a useful framework on which the knowledge base in this area could be developed and will facilitate future mathematical modelling to enhance screening and prevention of EC in women with PCOS who have been shown to be at increased risk.
Black Hole Formation and Growth: Simulations in General Relativity

Black holes are popping up all over the place: in compact binary X-ray sources and GRBs, in quasars, AGNs and the cores of all bulge galaxies, in binary black holes and binary black hole-neutron stars, and maybe even in the LHC! Black holes are strong-field objects governed by Einstein's equations of general relativity. Hence general relativistic, numerical simulations of dynamical phenomena involving black holes may help reveal ways in which black holes can form, grow and be detected in the universe. To convey the state-of-the art, we summarize several representative simulations here, including the collapse of a hypermassive neutron star to a black hole following the merger of a binary neutron star, the magnetorotational collapse of a massive star to a black hole, and the formation and growth of supermassive black hole seeds by relativistic MHD accretion in the early universe.
Microstructures and properties of high-entropy alloy films and coatings: a review

ABSTRACT In the past 14 years, as a branch of high-entropy alloy (HEA) materials, HEA films and coatings have exhibited the attractive and unique properties, relative to the conventional film and coating materials. The recent research and development of HEA films and coatings are reviewed in this paper. At first, the basic concept of HEAs films and coatings are introduced. Then, their preparation technologies, microstructures and appealing properties are summarized. Moreover, the possible reasons and design criteria for achieving the excellent properties are discussed. Finally, the suggested future research work for the HEA films and coatings are outlined. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT IMPACT STATEMENT Preparation technologies, microstructures, and properties of HEA films and coatings are reviewed in this paper. The design criteria and suggested research directions are further discussed and proposed.
Double Length Sponge Construction DLP-Sponge

In this paper, a new sponge construction called DLP-Sponge is proposed, which takes an arbitrary length of input and yields an output of random length. We prove that this construction is resistant against generic attacks such as multicollision attacks with a better complexity 2 2(c+3)/2 even when a small capacity is used, i.e. lightweight cryptography, where c is the capacity. Furthermore, it is used in building other cryptographic primitives such as block cipher, cryptographic hash functions and Message Authentication Codes (MACs).
The dendritic cell–T helper 17–macrophage axis controls cholangiocyte injury and disease progression in murine and human biliary atresia

Biliary atresia (BA) is a fibroinflammatory obstruction of the extrahepatic biliary tree in neonates. While intrahepatic bile duct proliferation is universal at diagnosis, bile duct paucity develops later. We hypothesized that polarized T helper lymphocyte responses orchestrate progression of intrahepatic biliary injury in this disease. Interleukin 17A (IL‐17A)‐green fluorescent protein, cluster of differentiation 11c (CD11c)/diphtheria toxin receptor, and IL‐17 receptor A−/− mice were used to examine T‐lymphocyte polarization, inflammatory leukocyte recruitment, and biliary injury in rhesus rotavirus–induced BA. Multiparameter flow cytometry and automated image analysis of immunostaining were applied to liver tissue samples from infants with BA. In the mouse model, activated CD4+ lymphocytes started to emerge in the liver on day 8 after viral challenge, while innate immune responses were waning. Plasma IL‐17A levels rose concomitantly with hepatic accumulation of T helper 17 lymphocytes and myeloid dendritic cells. Targeted depletion of CD11c+ dendritic cells diminished hepatic IL‐17A production and ameliorated intrahepatic bile duct injury. Recombinant IL‐17A induced expression of chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 in neonatal cholangiocytes in vitro, and blockade of the corresponding chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor 2 reduced recruitment of inflammatory macrophages to the liver in vivo. Genetic disruption of IL‐17A signaling was associated with down‐regulation of hepatic Ccl2/Ccr2 messenger RNA expression, reduced infiltration of the liver with inflammatory Ly6Chi macrophages, and improved survival. In the liver of infants with BA, cholangiocytes were found to express IL‐17 receptor A, and the prevalence of IL‐17A+ cells was positively correlated with the degree of CD68+ macrophage infiltration at diagnosis. Hepatic CD4+ lymphocytes were chief producers of IL‐17A in patients with progressive disease undergoing liver transplantation. Conclusion: These findings identify the dendritic cell–T helper 17–macrophage axis as a target for the development of strategies to block progression of intrahepatic bile duct injury in patients with BA. (Hepatology 2017;65:174‐188).
How different do visuo-tactile criteria assess caries lesions activity status on occlusal surfaces?

OBJECTIVES We tested the association between active caries lesions assessed by two different criteria and clinical features of these caries lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three examiners examined forty-nine 3- to 12-year-old children: one examiner used the Nyvad criteria, another examiner used the International Caries Detection and Assessment System with an additional criteria--Lesion Activity Assessment (ICDAS + LAA), and a reference examiner classified lesions regarding plaque stagnation, colour, lustre, cavities, depth and texture. Logistic regressions were used to test associations. For analyses, we grouped sound sites and inactive lesions vs active caries lesions, but also considering only inactive vs active lesions. RESULTS Active lesions scored by both criteria were similarly associated with different clinical parameters tested, except when the sound sites were excluded from the analysis. In these cases, active lesions according to ICDAS + LAA were associated only with cavitation and texture. Texture was associated with divergences between criteria when differentiating sound or inactive lesions from active ones. Fewer divergences in differentiating active from inactive lesions were observed when lesions present lustre. CONCLUSION Most clinical signs associated with active caries lesions were similar, but texture and severity tend to have a greater importance when using ICDAS + LAA for distinguishing caries activity status. Attention should be given to differences due to texture and lustre when using different indices.
Stabilization of the Pertussis Toxin Secretion Apparatus by the C Terminus of PtlD

ABSTRACT Pertussis toxin (PT) is secreted from Bordetella pertussis by a type IV secretion system, known as the Ptl transporter, that comprises nine different proteins, PtlA to PtlI. In this study, we found that PtlD is required for the stability of three Ptl proteins, PtlE, PtlF, and PtlH. A region limited to the C-terminal 72 amino acids of PtlD (amino acids 392 to 463) was sufficient for maintaining the stability of PtlE, PtlF, and PtlH, although this region was not sufficient to support secretion of the toxin. Further analysis demonstrated that a stretch of 10 amino acids at the C-terminal end of PtlD (amino acids 425 to 434) contributes to transporter stability.
Increased Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Allergic Diseases: A Nationwide, Population-Based, Cohort Study

Background/objective Allergic diseases, such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and psychiatric disorders, are major health issues. There have been reports that allergic diseases were associated with depression or anxiety disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association between these allergic diseases and the risk of developing overall psychiatric disorders in patients from Taiwan. Methods This cohort study used the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. A total of 186,588 enrolled patients, with 46,647 study subjects who had suffered from allergic diseases, and 139,941 controls matched for sex and age, from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Dataset of 2000–2015, were selected from a sub-dataset of the National Health Insurance Research Database. Fine and Gray’s competing risk model analysis was used to explore the hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence interval, for the risk of allergic diseases being associated with the risk of developing psychiatric disorders during the 15 years of follow-up. Results Of the study subjects, 5,038 (10.8%) developed psychiatric disorders when compared to 9,376 (6.7%) in the control group, with significant difference (p < 0.001). Fine and Gray’s competing risk model analysis revealed that the adjusted HR was 1.659 (95% CI = 1.602–1.717, p < 0.001). In this study, we found that the groups of atopic dermatitis alone and the allergic rhinitis + atopic dermatitis were associated with a lower risk of psychiatric disorders, but all the other four groups, such as bronchial asthma alone, allergic rhinitis alone, bronchial asthma + allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma + atopic dermatitis, and the combination of all these three allergic diseases, were associated with a higher risk of psychiatric disorders. Conclusion Allergic diseases are therefore associated with a 1.66-fold increased hazard of psychiatric disorders in Taiwan.
Cost-effectiveness of solifenacin compared with oral antimuscarinic agents for the treatment of patients with overactive bladder in the UK

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of solifenacin 5 mg/day versus other oral antimuscarinic agents used for overactive bladder (OAB) from a UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective. Study design: In a Markov model, hypothetical patients received solifenacin 5 mg/day or a comparator antimuscarinic, after which they could switch to an alternative antimuscarinic. The model estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER), expressed as cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) over a 5-year period. Results: Solifenacin 5 mg/day was the dominant treatment strategy (i.e., less costly and more effective) versus tolterodine extended-release (ER) 4 mg/day, fesoterodine 4 and 8 mg/day, oxybutynin ER 10 mg/day and solifenacin 10 mg/day, and was cost-effective (i.e., ICERs below the £30,000 per QALY threshold generally applied in the NHS) versus oxybutynin immediate release (IR) 10 mg/day, tolterodine IR 4 mg/day and trospium chloride 60 mg/day. The probability of solifenacin 5 mg/day being dominant/cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £30,000 per QALY was 57–98%. Conclusions: Solifenacin 5 mg/day appears to be a cost-effective strategy for the treatment of OAB over a 5-year timeframe compared with other oral antimuscarinic agents in the UK. These findings are important for decision-makers considering the economic implications of selecting treatments for OAB.
Local chromatic number and topological properties of graphs

The local chromatic number of a graph, introduced by Erdős et al. in [3], is the minimum number of colors that must appear in the closed neighborhood of some vertex in any proper coloring of the graph. This talk, based on the papers [13, 14, 15], would like to survey some of our recent results on this parameter. We give a lower bound for the local chromatic number in terms of the lower bound of the chromatic number provided by the topological method introduced by Lovász. We show that this bound is tight in many cases. In particular, we determine the local chromatic number of certain odd chromatic Schrijver graphs and generalized Mycielski graphs. We further elaborate on the case of 4-chromatic graphs and, in particular, on surface quadrangulations.
Introduction to Quantum Fisher Information

The subject of this paper is a mathematical transition from the Fisher information of classical statistics to the matrix formalism of quantum theory. If the monotonicity is the main requirement, then there are several quantum versions parametrized by a function. In physical applications the minimal is the most popular. There is a one-to-one correspondence between Fisher informations (called also monotone metrics) and abstract covariances. The skew information and the chi-square-divergence are treated here as particular cases.
Skype‐Hunter: A real‐time system for the detection and classification of Skype traffic

In the previous years, Skype has gained more and more popularity, since it is seen as the best VoIP software with good quality of sound, ease of use and one that works everywhere and with every OS. Because of its great diffusion, both the operators and the users are, for different reasons, interested in detecting Skype traffic.
On Comparing Two Dependent Linear and Nonlinear Regression Models

Linear and nonlinear regression models are flexible methods of data analysis that may be appropriate whenever a quantitative response variable is to be examined in relationship to any other explanatory variables. This relationship can be expressed by different models and equations. In some fields, such as in agriculture, biology, hydrology, neural network, and psychology, researchers need to analyze whether the relationship between response variable and predictor variables differ in two fitted models on the same dataset. In other words, we are interested in the comparison of two regression models for a single dataset. In this article, we will use the nonparametric methods to establish hypothesis testing for the equality of two dependent regression models. Then, a simulation study is provided to investigate the performance of the proposed method. Also, the proposed method is applied to compare the different linear, quadratic, cubic, and exponential models that can be fitted on a real dataset.
Left ventricular mass of persistent masked hypertension in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents: a 4-year follow-up study

Abstract Objective In our previous study, the prevalence of childhood masked hypertension was 11%. This study aims to assess the left ventricular mass index of persistent masked hypertension and determine the factors of elevated left ventricular mass index in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents from a community cohort. Design Community prospective cohort study, follow-up of a case-control study in community. Subjects Patients with masked hypertension at baseline were invited to recheck ambulatory blood pressure for the persistence of masked hypertension. Results A total of 144 out of 165 patients with masked hypertension in the 2011/2012 ambulatory blood pressure survey consented to participate in the study. In all, 48 patients were found to have persistent masked hypertension by ambulatory blood pressure rechecking and were matched with normotensive controls by sex, age, and body height. The left ventricular mass (117.3±39.9 g versus 87.0±28.2 g versus 102.0±28.2 g) and left ventricular mass index (30.1±8.4 g/m2.7 versus 23.9±6.3 g/m2.7 versus 25.1±5.7 g/m2.7) were significantly higher in the persistent masked hypertension group (p<0.0001) compared with the patients without persistent masked hypertension and controls. In multivariate linear regression analysis, left ventricular mass index was found to be higher in male gender (β=4.874, p<0.0001) and the patients with persistent masked hypertension (β=2.796, p=0.003). In addition, left ventricular mass index was positively associated with body mass index z-score (β=3.045, p<0.0001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (β=1.634, p=0.015). Conclusions Persistent masked hypertension in adolescents is associated with elevated left ventricular mass index.
Ecological Hypothesis of Dentin and Root Caries

Recent advances regarding the caries process indicate that ecological phenomena induced by bacterial acid production tilt the de- and remineralization balance of the dental hard tissues towards demineralization through bacterial acid-induced adaptation and selection within the microbiota - from the dynamic stability stage to the aciduric stage via the acidogenic stage [Takahashi and Nyvad, 2008]. Dentin and root caries can also be partly explained by this hypothesis; however, the fact that these tissues contain a considerable amount of organic material suggests that protein degradation is involved in caries formation. In this review, we compiled relevant histological, biochemical, and microbiological information about dentin/root caries and refined the hypothesis by adding degradation of the organic matrix (the proteolytic stage) to the abovementioned stages. Bacterial acidification not only induces demineralization and exposure of the organic matrix in dentin/root surfaces but also activation of dentin-embedded and salivary matrix metalloproteinases and cathepsins. These phenomena initiate degradation of the demineralized organic matrix in dentin/root surfaces. While a bacterial involvement has never been confirmed in the initial degradation of organic material, the detection of proteolytic/amino acid-degrading bacteria and bacterial metabolites in dentin and root caries suggests a bacterial digestion and metabolism of partly degraded matrix. Moreover, bacterial metabolites might induce pulpitis as an inflammatory/immunomodulatory factor. Root and dentin surfaces are always at risk of becoming demineralized in the oral cavity, and exposed organic materials can be degraded by host-derived proteases contained in saliva and dentin itself. New approaches to the prevention and treatment of root/dentin caries are required.