Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Analytic Approach for the Asymptotic Distribution of the Height of an Incomplete Digital Tree

We investigate the duration of an elimination process for identifying a loser by coin tossing, or equivalently the height of a random incomplete trie. Via Poissonization and de-Poissonization, we obtain a simple expression for the asymptotic discrete distribution of the height by an analytic approach that is not widely known in the context of random tree height problems. The expression includes a periodic function which does not admit a limit distribution. AMS 1991 subject classifications. Primary 05C05, 60E05; secondary 05C80, 60G70.
Hyperspherical Variational Auto-Encoders

The Variational Auto-Encoder (VAE) is one of the most used unsupervised machine learning models. But although the default choice of a Gaussian distribution for both the prior and posterior represents a mathematically convenient distribution often leading to competitive results, we show that this parameterization fails to model data with a latent hyperspherical structure. To address this issue we propose using a von Mises-Fisher (vMF) distribution instead, leading to a hyperspherical latent space. Through a series of experiments we show how such a hyperspherical VAE, or $\mathcal{S}$-VAE, is more suitable for capturing data with a hyperspherical latent structure, while outperforming a normal, $\mathcal{N}$-VAE, in low dimensions on other data types.
Motivating STEM students to use Web 2.0 tools for learning: A case study

Students enrolled in engineering (STEM) education sometimes do not encounter organized use of Web 2.0 tools in their courses. On the other hand, use of Web 2.0 tools has proved to be helpful in motivating students to learn. The aim of research presented in this paper was to examine the possibility of using Educational Recommender System ELARS in order to motivate students enrolled in engineering education to incorporate Web 2.0 tools into their learning practices. Research was conducted on two consecutive generations of students, and obtained results have shown that majority of students involved in research expressed a positive attitude and interest in incorporating Web 2.0 tools in their learning efforts. On the other hand, research also showed that surveyed students have the habit of non-continuous work on their assignments, thus pointing out that future research efforts should also be directed toward addressing this problem.
A semiautomatic segmentation method for prostate in CT images using local texture classification and statistical shape modeling

PURPOSE Prostate segmentation in computed tomography (CT) images is useful for treatment planning and procedure guidance such as external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. However, because of the low, soft tissue contrast of CT images, manual segmentation of the prostate is a time-consuming task with high interobserver variation. In this study, we proposed a semiautomated, three-dimensional (3D) segmentation for prostate CT images using shape and texture analysis and we evaluated the method against manual reference segmentations. METHODS The prostate gland usually has a globular shape with a smoothly curved surface, and its shape could be accurately modeled or reconstructed having a limited number of well-distributed surface points. In a training dataset, using the prostate gland centroid point as the origin of a coordination system, we defined an intersubject correspondence between the prostate surface points based on the spherical coordinates. We applied this correspondence to generate a point distribution model for prostate shape using principal component analysis and to study the local texture difference between prostate and nonprostate tissue close to the different prostate surface subregions. We used the learned shape and texture characteristics of the prostate in CT images and then combined them with user inputs to segment a new image. We trained our segmentation algorithm using 23 CT images and tested the algorithm on two sets of 10 nonbrachytherapy and 37 postlow dose rate brachytherapy CT images. We used a set of error metrics to evaluate the segmentation results using two experts' manual reference segmentations. RESULTS For both nonbrachytherapy and post-brachytherapy image sets, the average measured Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was 88% and the average mean absolute distance (MAD) was 1.9 mm. The average measured differences between the two experts on both datasets were 92% (DSC) and 1.1 mm (MAD). CONCLUSIONS The proposed, semiautomatic segmentation algorithm showed a fast, robust, and accurate performance for 3D prostate segmentation of CT images, specifically when no previous, intrapatient information, that is, previously segmented images, was available. The accuracy of the algorithm is comparable to the best performance results reported in the literature and approaches the interexpert variability observed in manual segmentation.
Vitamin D deficiency and the risk of tuberculosis: a meta-analysis

Background and aim To conduct meta-analyses of all published studies on various aspects of association between vitamin D and tuberculosis (TB). Methods PubMed and Web of Knowledge were searched for all properly controlled studies on vitamin D and TB. Pooled odds ratio, mean difference or standardized mean difference, and its corresponding 95% confidence interval were calculated with the Cochrane Review Manager 5.3. Results A significantly lower vitamin D level was found in TB patients vs controls; vitamin D deficiency (VDD) was associated with an increased risk of TB, although such an association was lacking in the African population and in the human immunodeficiency virus-infected African population. A significantly lower vitamin D level was found in human immunodeficiency virus-TB-coinfected African patients receiving antiretroviral treatment who developed TB-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome vs those who did not develop TB-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. VDD was associated with an increased risk of developing active TB in those subjects with latent TB infection and with an increased risk of tuberculin skin test conversion/TB infection conversion, and the trend toward a lower vitamin D level in active TB patients vs latent TB infection subjects did not reach statistical significance, indicating that VDD was more likely a risk factor than a consequence of TB. This concept was further strengthened by our result that anti-TB treatment did not affect vitamin D level in TB patients receiving the treatment. Conclusion Our analyses revealed an association between vitamin D and TB. VDD is more likely a risk factor for TB than its consequence. More studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation is beneficial to TB prevention and treatment.
Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen G Level in Fluid from Single Dominant Follicle and the Association with Oocyte Competence

Purpose To investigate the direct relationship between the follicular fluid (FF) level of soluble human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) and fertilizability of the corresponding oocyte as well as the morphological quality of the corresponding embryo. Materials and Methods Sixty-three patients were stimulated with recombinant FSH combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist long (n=5) or antagonist protocol (n=58) for standard in vitro fertilization (IVF). At the time oocyte retrieval, follicular fluid was obtained from single dominant follicle in 63 patients, and the level of soluble HLA-G was measured by sandwich enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Normal fertilization and individual embryo quality were evaluated, and were graded to four categories by morphological criteria (the embryo with symmetrical blastomeres and no fragmentation were assigned as grade A). Good-quality embryo was defined as those with grade A or B. Results Soluble HLA-G was not detected in 15 FF samples. In the group with positive FF soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) (n=48), high levels of sHLA-G (>117.758 U/mL) could predict the failure of fertilization with statistical significance {area under the curve (AUC) 0.676, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.525-0.804}. However, the FF sHLA-G level was not related with the formation of good-quality embryo. Conclusion High level of FF sHLA-G could predict the fertilization failure of the corresponding oocyte, but was not related with the formation of good-quality embryo.
Examining Spillovers between Long and Short Repeated Prisoner’s Dilemma Games Played in the Laboratory

We had participants play two sets of repeated Prisoner’s Dilemma (RPD) games, one with a large continuation probability and the other with a small continuation probability, as well as Dictator Games (DGs) before and after the RPDs. We find that, regardless of which is RPD set is played first, participants typically cooperate when the continuation probability is large and defect when the continuation probability is small. However, there is an asymmetry in behavior when transitioning from one continuation probability to the other. When switching from large to small, transient higher levels of cooperation are observed in the early games of the small continuation set. Conversely, when switching from small to large, cooperation is immediately high in the first game of the large continuation set. We also observe that response times increase when transitioning between sets of RPDs, except for altruistic participants transitioning into the set of RPDs with long continuation probabilities. These asymmetries suggest a bias in favor of cooperation. Finally, we examine the link between altruism and RPD play. We find that small continuation probability RPD play is correlated with giving in DGs played before and after the RPDs, whereas high continuation probability RPD play is not.
An Investigation into the Relationship among Psychiatric, Demographic and Socio-Economic Variables with Bayesian Network Modeling

The aim of this paper is to investigate the factors influencing the Beck Depression Inventory score, the Beck Hopelessness Scale score and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem score and the relationships among the psychiatric, demographic and socio-economic variables with Bayesian network modeling. The data of 823 university students consist of 21 continuous and discrete relevant psychiatric, demographic and socio-economic variables. After the discretization of the continuous variables by two approaches, two Bayesian networks models are constructed using the bnlearn package in R, and the results are presented via figures and probabilities. One of the most significant results is that in the first Bayesian network model, the gender of the students influences the level of depression, with female students being more depressive. In the second model, social activity directly influences the level of depression. In each model, depression influences both the level of hopelessness and self-esteem in students; additionally, as the level of depression increases, the level of hopelessness increases, but the level of self-esteem drops.
Energy Management for Renewable Microgrid in Reducing Diesel Generators Usage With Multiple Types of Battery

Using solar photovoltaics (PV) to help a microgrid (MG) operator for cost reduction may not be a straightforward problem due to the intermittent nature of PV power generation and unpredictable load demands. One potential way to address this challenge is to use batteries that can store the surplus PV energy whenever possible and supply the energy back to the MG when needed. In this context, this paper proposes a battery energy management system (BEMS) for an MG, in which PVs and diesel generators (DGs) are the primary sources of electricity. The novelty of the proposed BEMS lies within the energy management of multiple types of batteries’ characteristics and the reduction of DGs’ operating hours simultaneously. Furthermore, the proposed BEMS also takes into account different characteristics of the batteries when controlling the charging and discharging decision to extend the battery lifetime. Real-world data of MG load and PV power generations are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed BEMS. Through numerical simulation case studies, it is demonstrated that the proposed BEMS is capable of achieving the following: reduction in DGs’ operating hours, reduction in PV power fluctuations, and concurrent management of multiple batteries of different characteristics and extension of battery lifetime by controlling battery charge and discharge rate.
Blockchain: A Panacea for Healthcare Cloud-Based Data Security and Privacy?

One particular trend observed in healthcare is the progressive shift of data and services to the cloud, partly due to convenience (e.g. availability of complete patient medical history in real-time) and savings (e.g. economics of healthcare data management). There are, however, limitations to using conventional cryptographic primitives and access control models to address security and privacy concerns in an increasingly cloud-based environment. In this paper, we study the potential to use the Blockchain technology to protect healthcare data hosted within the cloud. We also describe the practical challenges of such a proposition and further research that is required.
Immunogenicity in African Green Monkeys of M Protein Mutant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Vectors and Contribution of Vector-Encoded Flagellin

Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a promising platform for vaccine development. M51R VSV, an attenuated, M protein mutant strain, is an effective inducer of Type I interferon and dendritic cell (DC) maturation, which are desirable properties to exploit for vaccine design. We have previously evaluated M51R VSV (M51R) and M51R VSV that produces flagellin (M51R-F) as vaccine vectors using murine models, and found that flagellin enhanced DC activation and VSV-specific antibody production after low-dose vaccination. In this report, the immunogenicity of M51R vectors and the adjuvant effect of virus-produced flagellin were evaluated in nonhuman primates following high-dose (108 pfu) and low-dose (105 pfu) vaccination. A single intramuscular vaccination of African green monkeys with M51R or M51R-F induced VSV-specific, dose-dependent humoral immune responses. Flagellin induced a significant increase in antibody production (IgM, IgG and neutralizing antibody) at the low vaccination dose. A VSV-specific cellular response was detected at 6 weeks post-vaccination, but was neither dose-dependent nor enhanced by flagellin; similar numbers of VSV-specific, IFNγ-producing cells were detected in lymph node and spleen of all animals. These results indicate that virus-directed, intracellular flagellin production may improve VSV-based vaccines encoding heterologous antigens by lowering the dose required to achieve humoral immunity.
Linking imaging to omics utilizing image-guided tissue extraction

Significance Imaging provides an insight into biological patho-mechanisms of diseases. However, the link between the imaging phenotype and the underlying molecular processes is often not well understood. Methods such as metabolomics and proteomics reveal detailed information about these processes. Unfortunately, they provide no spatial information and thus cannot be easily correlated with functional imaging. We have developed an image-guided milling machine and unique workflows to precisely isolate tissue samples based on imaging data. The tissue samples remain cooled during the entire procedure, preventing sample degradation. This enables us to correlate, at an unprecedented spatial precision, comprehensive imaging information with metabolomics and proteomics data, leading to a better understanding of diseases. Phenotypic heterogeneity is commonly observed in diseased tissue, specifically in tumors. Multimodal imaging technologies can reveal tissue heterogeneity noninvasively in vivo, enabling imaging-based profiling of receptors, metabolism, morphology, or function on a macroscopic scale. In contrast, in vitro multiomics, immunohistochemistry, or histology techniques accurately characterize these heterogeneities in the cellular and subcellular scales in a more comprehensive but ex vivo manner. The complementary in vivo and ex vivo information would provide an enormous potential to better characterize a disease. However, this requires spatially accurate coregistration of these data by image-driven sampling as well as fast sample-preparation methods. Here, a unique image-guided milling machine and workflow for precise extraction of tissue samples from small laboratory animals or excised organs has been developed and evaluated. The samples can be delineated on tomographic images as volumes of interest and can be extracted with a spatial accuracy better than 0.25 mm. The samples remain cooled throughout the procedure to ensure metabolic stability, a precondition for accurate in vitro analysis.
Exome Sequencing of 47 Chinese Families with Cone-Rod Dystrophy: Mutations in 25 Known Causative Genes

Objective The goal of this study was to identify mutations in 25 known causative genes in 47 unrelated Chinese families with cone-rod dystrophy (CORD). Methods Forty-seven probands from unrelated families with CORD were recruited. Genomic DNA prepared from leukocytes was analyzed by whole exome sequencing. Variants in the 25 genes were selected and then validated by Sanger sequencing. Results Fourteen potential pathogenic mutations, including nine novel and five known, were identified in 10 of the 47 families (21.28%). Homozygous, compound heterozygous, and hemizygous mutations were detected in three, four, or three families, respectively. The 14 mutations in the 10 families were distributed among CNGB3 (three families), PDE6C (two families), ABCA4 (one family), RPGRIP1 (one family), RPGR (two families), and CACNA1F (one family). Conclusions This study provides a brief view on mutation spectrum of the 25 genes in a Chinese cohort with CORD. Identification of novel mutations enriched our understanding of variations in these genes and their associated phenotypes. To our knowledge, this is the first systemic exome-sequencing analysis of all of the 25 CORD-associated genes.
Galectin-9 inhibits TLR7-mediated autoimmunity in murine lupus models

Uncontrolled secretion of type I IFN, as the result of endosomal TLR (i.e., TLR7 and TLR9) signaling in plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), and abnormal production of autoantibodies by B cells are critical for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. The importance of galectin-9 (Gal-9) in regulating various autoimmune diseases, including lupus, has been demonstrated. However, the precise mechanism by which Gal-9 mediates this effect remains unclear. Here, using spontaneous murine models of lupus (i.e., BXSB/MpJ and NZB/W F1 mice), we demonstrate that administration of Gal-9 results in reduced TLR7-mediated autoimmune manifestations. While investigating the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we observed that Gal-9 inhibits the phenotypic maturation of pDCs and B cells and abrogates their ability to mount cytokine responses to TLR7/TLR9 ligands. Importantly, immunocomplex-mediated (IC-mediated) and neutrophil extracellular trap–mediated (NET-mediated) pDC activation was inhibited by Gal-9. Additionally, the mTOR/p70S6K pathway, which is recruited by both pDCs and B cells for TLR-mediated IFN secretion and autoantibody generation, respectively, was attenuated. Gal-9 was found to exert its inhibitory effect on both the cells by interacting with CD44.
Evaluation of the impact of recycled glass on asphalt mixture performances

The goal of this research was to verify the possibility of using recycled glass particles in an asphalt mixture while maintaining equivalent properties and performance in lieu of a conventional mixture. First, one type of asphalt mixture (ESG14) with different glass contents was tested according to the Ministère des transports du Québec’s mix design method. Next, the performances (resistance to thermal cracking, mixture stiffness and stripping resistance) of an asphalt mixture with optimal glass content were evaluated and compared to a reference mixture. Overall, it was found that using recycled glass in an ESG14 asphalt mixture reduces the binder content, increases the mixture workability and decreases the rutting resistance. It was also found that using 10% recycled glass in an ESG14 asphalt mixture does not impact the resistance to thermal cracking as well as the mixture stiffness. On the other hand, the stripping resistance is negatively affected by the presence of glass.
Amorphous Metal Thin Films for Thermal Inkjet Printing

Due to the lack of grain boundaries, an amorphous metal thin film (AMTF) provides advantageous mechanical properties and enhanced chemical stability, which may enable its use as a thinner cavitation plate for thermal inkjet (TIJ) printing. A thinner cavitation plate leads to improved thermal performance. However, if an AMTF is to be used as a cavitation plate, it must remain amorphous during TIJ operation. In this paper, we fabricate TIJ resistors using a thermally stable (crystallization temperature >1000 °C) Ta<sub>30</sub>W<sub>30</sub>Si<sub>40</sub> AMTF and stress the material in an open-pool test bed. This tests the stability of the thin film properties after being exposed to a TIJ-like environment. We find that the Ta<sub>30</sub>W<sub>30</sub>Si<sub>40</sub> AMTF retains its amorphous structure after testing to >10<sup>7</sup> pulses in the simulated TIJ environment. This suggests that Ta<sub>30</sub>W<sub>30</sub>Si<sub>40</sub> AMTF is a promising candidate material for TIJ cavitation plate applications. [2017-0236]
Unannounced Meals in the Artificial Pancreas: Detection Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring

The artificial pancreas (AP) system is designed to regulate blood glucose in subjects with type 1 diabetes using a continuous glucose monitor informed controller that adjusts insulin infusion via an insulin pump. However, current AP developments are mainly hybrid closed-loop systems that include feed-forward actions triggered by the announcement of meals or exercise. The first step to fully closing the loop in the AP requires removing meal announcement, which is currently the most effective way to alleviate postprandial hyperglycemia due to the delay in insulin action. Here, a novel approach to meal detection in the AP is presented using a sliding window and computing the normalized cross-covariance between measured glucose and the forward difference of a disturbance term, estimated from an augmented minimal model using an Unscented Kalman Filter. Three different tunings were applied to the same meal detection algorithm: (1) a high sensitivity tuning, (2) a trade-off tuning that has a high amount of meals detected and a low amount of false positives (FP), and (3) a low FP tuning. For the three tunings sensitivities 99 ± 2%, 93 ± 5%, and 47 ± 12% were achieved, respectively. A sensitivity analysis was also performed and found that higher carbohydrate quantities and faster rates of glucose appearance result in favorable meal detection outcomes.
Optimal Incentives in a Principal-Agent Model with Endogenous Technology

One of the standard predictions of the agency theory is that more incentives can be given to agents with lower risk aversion. In this paper we show that this relationship may be absent or reversed when the technology is endogenous and projects with a higher efficiency are also riskier. Using a modified version of the Holmstrom and Milgrom's (1987) framework, we obtain that lower agent's risk aversion unambiguously leads to higher incentives when the technology function linking efficiency and riskiness is elastic, while the risk aversion-incentive relationship can be positive when this function is rigid