Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bi-Factor Approximation Algorithms for Hard Capacitated k-Median Problems

In the classical k-median problem the goal is to select a subset of at most k facilities in order to minimize the total cost of opened facilities and established connections between clients and opened facilities. We consider the capacitated version of the problem, where a single facility may only serve a limited number of clients. We construct approximation algorithms slightly violating the capacities based on rounding a fractional solution to the standard LP. It is well known that the standard LP (even in the case of uniform capacities) has unbounded integrality gap if we only allow violating capacities by a factor smaller than 2, or if we only allow violating the number of facilities by a factor smaller than 2. It is also known that violating capacities by a factor of 2 + e is sufficient to obtain constant factor approximation of the connection cost in the case of uniform capacities. In this paper we substantially extend this result in the following two directions. On one hand, we obtain a 2+e capacity violating algorithm to the more general k-facility location problem with uniform capacities, where opening facilities incurs a location specific opening cost. On the other hand, we show that violating capacities by a slightly bigger factor of 3 + e is sufficient to obtain constant factor approximation of the connection cost also in the case of the non-uniform hard capacitated k-median problem. Our algorithms first use the clustering of Charikar et al. to partition the facilities into sets of total fractional opening at least 1−1/l for some fixed l. Then we exploit the technique of Levi, Shmoys, and Swamy developed for the capacitated facility location problem, which is to locally group the demand from clients to obtain a system of single node demand instances. Next, depending on the setting, we either work with stars of facilities (for non-uniform capacities), or we use a dedicated routing tree on the demand nodes (for non-uniform opening cost), to redistribute the demand that cannot be satisfied locally within the clusters.
Using AI and machine learning to study expressive music performance: project survey and first report

This article presents a longdterm interddisciplinary research project situated at the intersection of the scientific disciplines of Musicology and Artificial Intelligence. The goal is to develop AI, and in particular machine learning and data mining, methods to study the complex phenomenon of expressive music performance. Formulating formal, quantitative models of expressive performance is one of the big open research problems in contemporary (empirical and cognitive) musicology. Our project develops a new direction in this field: we use inductive learning techniques to discover general and valid expression principles from (large amounts of) real performance data. The project is currently starting its third year and is planned to continue for at least four more years.In the following, we explain the basic notions of expressive music performance, and why this is such a central phenomenon in music. We present the general research framework of the project, and discuss the various challenges and research opportunities that emerge in this framework. We then briefly describe the current state of the project and list the main achievements made so far. In the rest of the paper, we discuss in more detail one particular data mining approach (including a new algorithm for learning characterisation rules) that we have developed recently. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate that this algorithm can discover very general and robust expression principles, some of which actually constitute novel discoveries from a musicological viewpoint.
Changes in the neural bases of emotion regulation associated with clinical improvement in children with behavior problems

Abstract Children's behavior problems may stem from ineffective cortical mechanisms for regulating negative emotions, and the success of interventions may depend on their impact on such mechanisms. We examined neurophysiological markers associated with emotion regulation in children comorbid for externalizing and internalizing problems before and after treatment. We hypothesized that treatment success would correspond with reduced ventral prefrontal activation, and increased dorsomedial prefrontal activation, at the time point of an event-related potential (ERP) associated with inhibitory control. Twenty-seven 8- to 12-year-old children (with usable data) were tested before and after a 14-week community-based treatment program and assessed as to improvement status. Fifteen 8- to 12-year-olds from the normal population (with usable data) were tested over the same interval. All children completed an emotion-induction go/no-go task while fitted with a 128-channel electrode net at each test session. ERP amplitudes, and estimates of cortical activation in prefrontal regions of interest, were measured at the peak of the “inhibitory” N2 and compared between improvers, nonimprovers, and nonclinical children. ERP amplitudes showed no group differences. However, improvers showed an overall reduction in ventral prefrontal activation from pretreatment to posttreatment, bringing them in line with nonclinical children, whereas ventral activation remained high for nonimprovers. Both improvers and nonimprovers showed high dorsal activation relative to nonclinical children. Supplementary analyses indicated that only ventral prefrontal regions, and only within the N2 time window, showed decreased activity from pre- to posttreatment, suggesting changes in regulatory processes rather than in overall emotional arousal. These cortically mediated changes may permit a reduction in the overengaged, rigid style of emotion regulation characteristic of children with behavior problems.
Characteristics of DNA-binding proteins determine the biological sensitivity to high-linear energy transfer radiation

Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination repair (HRR), contribute to repair ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Mre11 binding to DNA is the first step for activating HRR and Ku binding to DNA is the first step for initiating NHEJ. High-linear energy transfer (LET) IR (such as high energy charged particles) killing more cells at the same dose as compared with low-LET IR (such as X or γ rays) is due to inefficient NHEJ. However, these phenomena have not been demonstrated at the animal level and the mechanism by which high-LET IR does not affect the efficiency of HRR remains unclear. In this study, we showed that although wild-type and HRR-deficient mice or DT40 cells are more sensitive to high-LET IR than to low-LET IR, NHEJ deficient mice or DT40 cells are equally sensitive to high- and low-LET IR. We also showed that Mre11 and Ku respond differently to shorter DNA fragments in vitro and to the DNA from high-LET irradiated cells in vivo. These findings provide strong evidence that the different DNA DSB binding properties of Mre11 and Ku determine the different efficiencies of HRR and NHEJ to repair high-LET radiation induced DSBs.
Dwindling U.S. Internal Migration: Evidence of Spatial Equilibrium?

This paper examines whether the significant downward shift in U.S. gross migration rates after 2000 is indicative of the economy nearing a stationary spatial equilibrium. Nearness to spatial equilibrium would imply that site-specific factors such as amenities and location within the urban hierarchy have little influence on migration because their values have been capitalized into prices, causing interregional utility levels to become approximately equal. Yet, in an examination of U.S. counties, we find empirical evidence of only a mild ebbing of natural amenity-based migration after 2000 and little slowing of population redistribution from peripheral towards core urban areas. Instead, the primary finding is a downward shift in the responsiveness of population to spatially asymmetric demand shocks post-2000, and associated increased responsiveness of local area labor supply, more consistent with European regional labor markets. Quantile regression analysis suggests that this shift does not relate to a difference in regional labor market tightness across the two decades.
ONC201 induces cell death in pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cells

ONC201/TIC10 is a small molecule initially discovered by its ability to coordinately induce and activate the TRAIL pathway selectively in tumor cells and has recently entered clinical trials in adult advanced cancers. The anti-tumor activity of ONC201 has previously been demonstrated in several preclinical models of cancer, including refractory solid tumors and a transgenic lymphoma mouse model. Based on the need for new safe and effective therapies in pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and the non-toxic preclinical profile of ONC201, we investigated the in vitro efficacy of ONC201 in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cell lines to evaluate its therapeutic potential for this disease. ONC201 caused a dose-dependent reduction in the cell viability of NHL cell lines that resulted from induction of apoptosis. As expected from prior observations, induction of TRAIL and its receptor DR5 was also observed in these cell lines. Furthermore, dual induction of TRAIL and DR5 appeared to drive the observed apoptosis and TRAIL expression was correlated linearly with sub-G1 DNA content, suggesting its potential role as a biomarker of tumor response to ONC201-treated lymphoma cells. We further investigated combinations of ONC201 with approved chemotherapeutic agents used to treat lymphoma. ONC201 exhibited synergy in combination with the anti-metabolic agent cytarabine in vitro, in addition to cooperating with other therapies. Together these findings indicate that ONC201 is an effective TRAIL pathway-inducer as a monoagent that can be combined with chemotherapy to enhance therapeutic responses in pediatric NHL.
Multiple Levels of Influence on Older Adults’ Attendance and Adherence to Community Exercise Classes

Purpose: To examine the influence of individual participant, instructor, and group factors on participants’ attendance and adherence to community exercise classes for older adults. Design and Methods: Longitudinal data from 16 instructors, 26 classes, and 193 older participants within those classes (aged 60–100 years) were examined. Data were collected using questionnaires on individual participants’ demographics, attitudes, health perceptions and conditions, and group cohesion. Instructors’ demographics, training, background, experience, attitudes, and personality were collected. Group factors included class type, cost, transport, and whether the class was held in an area of deprivation. Outcomes (attendance/adherence) were collected through attendance records. Results: Multilevel modelling (MLwiN) revealed both instructor and individual participant variables were important in understanding attendance and adherence. Individuals’ housing, education, mental well-being, group cohesion, and attitudes were important predictors of attendance at 3 and 6 months. Instructors’ age, gender, experience, and motivational training were important at 3 months, whereas instructor personality was important at both 3 and 6 months. Having attended longer than 6 months at baseline, participants’ attitudes, weeks offered, instructors’ personality, and experience were associated with adherence at 6 months. Implications: Results suggest that instructors’ characteristics alongside individual participant factors play a role in influencing participants’ attendance to exercise classes. These factors should be considered when setting up new programs.
Accurate Symmetric Rank Revealing and Eigendecompositions of Symmetric Structured Matrices

We present new $O(n^3)$ algorithms that compute eigenvalues and eigenvectors to high relative accuracy in floating point arithmetic for the following types of matrices: symmetric Cauchy, symmetric diagonally scaled Cauchy, symmetric Vandermonde, and symmetric totally nonnegative matrices when they are given as products of nonnegative bidiagonal factors. The algorithms are divided into two stages: the first stage computes a symmetric rank revealing decomposition of the matrix to high relative accuracy, and the second stage applies previously existing algorithms to this decomposition to get the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Rank revealing decompositions are also interesting in other problems, such as the numerical determination of the rank and the approximation of a matrix by a matrix with smaller rank.
Dacryocystectomy: Indications and Results at Tertiary Eye Hospital in Central Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT Purpose: To report indications and success rates of dacryocystectomy (DCT) in a tertiary hospital. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent DCT at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia, from 2008 to 2015. Data included patient demographics, symptoms before and after surgery, and complications. Univariate analysis using parametric and non-parametric methods was performed. Results: Forty-seven DCT surgeries were performed over the study period. The median age of patients was 58.2 ± 2 years old, 63.8% were female, 60% of surgeries were performed on the left side, and 8% of patients underwent bilateral simultaneous DCT. Chronic dacryocystitis was the surgical indication for DCT for all of the patients and 23.5% of them had dry eye preoperatively. Successful treatment was observed in 80.8% of patients and 8.5% complained of tearing after DCT. Conclusion: The main indication for DCT in our hospital was chronic dacryocystitis with good outcomes for elderly patients with dry eyes.
Cellular impermeability and uptake of biocides and antibiotics in Gram‐negative bacteria

The principal targets for antibacterial agents reside at the cytoplasm and cytoplasmic membrane, damage to other structures often arising from initial events at these loci. The Gram-negative bacteria offer a complex barrier system to biocides and antibiotics, regulating, and sometimes preventing, their passage to target regions. Routes of entry differ between hydrophobic and hydrophilic agents, often with a structure dependency; specialized uptake mechanisms are exploited and portage transport can occur for pro-drug antibacterials. Uptake isotherms offer insight into the sorption process and can sometimes shed light on biocide mechanisms of action. The multi-component barrier system of Gram-negative bacteria offers opportunities for phenotypic resistance development where partitioning or exclusion minimizes the delivery of an antibacterial agent to the target site. Active efflux processes are recognized as increasingly relevant mechanisms for resistance, potentially offering routes to biocide:antibiotic cross-resistance. These mechanisms may be targeted directly in an attempt to compromise their role in microbial survival.
Characterizing the knowledge and attitudes towards sharks and the domestic use of shark meat and fins in Peru

ii LAY SUMMARY . iii PREFACE. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS . v LIST OF TABLES . vii LIST OF FIGURES . viii LIST OF EQUATIONS . x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . xiv DEDICATION . xv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 CHAPTER 2: EXPLORING THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF COASTAL PERUVIANS TOWARDS SHARKS . 4 2.
Masters theses from a university medical college: Publication in indexed scientific journals

Background: The thesis is an integral part of postgraduate medical education in India. Publication of the results of the thesis in an indexed journal is desirable; it validates the research and makes results available to researchers worldwide. Aims: To determine publication rates in indexed journals, of works derived from theses, and factors affecting publication. Settings and Design: Postgraduate theses submitted over a five-year period (2001-05) in a university medical college were analyzed in a retrospective, observational study. Materials and Methods: Data retrieved included name and gender of postgraduate student, names, department and hierarchy of supervisor and co-supervisor(s), year submitted, study design, sample size, and statistically significant difference between groups. To determine subsequent publication in an indexed journal, Medline search was performed up to December 2007. Statistical Analysis: Chi square test was used to compare publication rates based on categorical variables; Student's t-test was used to compare differences based on continuous variables. Results: One hundred and sixty theses were retrieved, forty-eight (30%) were published. Papers were published 8-74 (33.7 ± 17.33) months after thesis submission; the postgraduate student was first author in papers from 26 (54%) of the published theses. Gender of the student, department of origin, year of thesis submission, hierarchy of the supervisor, number and department of co-supervisors, and thesis characteristics did not influence publication rates. Conclusions: Rate of publication in indexed journals, of papers derived from postgraduate theses is 30%. In this study we were unable to identify factors that promote publication.
Clarifying the Role of Alignability in Similarity Comparisons

Structure-mapping theory has successfully predicted a number of empirical results concerning ordinary literal similarity processing. In particular, it predicts a distinction between alignable differences—those connected to the common structure derived in a comparison—and nonalignable differences, which are not so connected and which are held to be less salient than alignable differences (Markman & Gentner, 1993). Recently, Estes and Hasson (2004) have challenged the claim that alignable differences are more salient than nonalignable differences. In this paper, we address their criticisms and present data supporting an alternative interpretation of their results.
Observations of Spatial Variations in O/N2 During an Auroral Substorm Using the Multichannel Downlooking Camera on the VISIONS Rocket

At 0821 UT on 7 February 2013, during an auroral substorm, the NASA VISIONS rocket was launched northward from Poker Flat Research Range on a flight to approximately 750‐km altitude that terminated in the Arctic Ocean. A subpayload jettisoned on the up leg carried a multichannel optical imager that looked downward and observed the auroral emission through four narrow passband filters. Three of the channels had sufficiently strong signal to allow a measure of the time evolution of the horizontal extent of the electron aurora and changes in the ratio of the column O to the column N2. These data revealed rather rapid changes in this measure of composition over an area larger than would be expected from the changes expected from particle and Joule heating. Although such rapid large changes have been observed previously, and Christensen et al. (1997, https://doi.org/10.1029/97JA01800) had hypothesized that they were due to enhanced turbulent diffusion, this imaging experiment is the first to show their evolution over a large area. On the down leg the camera was able to see the vertical spatial extent of the auroral emission which is consistent with the decrease in O/N2 seen in the downlooking data. The change in this ratio with altitude suggests the deposition of an additional number of low‐energy electrons that would cause a larger decrease in that ratio at higher altitudes.
Lattice-Based Minimum Error Rate Training Using Weighted Finite-State Transducers with Tropical Polynomial Weights

Minimum Error Rate Training (MERT) is a method for training the parameters of a loglinear model. One advantage of this method of training is that it can use the large number of hypotheses encoded in a translation lattice as training data. We demonstrate that the MERT line optimisation can be modelled as computing the shortest distance in a weighted finite-state transducer using a tropical polynomial semiring.
Sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss after intravenous cocaine injection: A case report and review of the literature

Little is known about the effects of intravenous abuse of cocaine, especially on the inner ear. We report on a 26‐year‐old man who presented to our outpatient department with a sudden severe hearing loss after intravenous injection of cocaine. The audiogram on admission showed symmetric air conduction levels up to 80 dB at 4 kHz. After treatment with intravenous sodium chloride, prednisolone, and pentoxifylline, the audiogram 2 days later showed a bilateral normacusis. A review of the literature on the topic is given and possible reasons for inner ear damages caused by cocaine are discussed. Laryngoscope, 2009
Representing social structures in UML

From a software engineering perspective, agent systems are a specialization of object-oriented (00) systems, in which individual objects have their own threads of control and their own goals. Engineering such systems is most naturally approached as an extensions of object-oriented systems engineering. In particular, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) can be naturally extended to Agent UML (AUML) [5] to support the distinctive requirements of multi- agent systems. One such requirement results from the correspondence between multi-agent systems and social systems. We combine several existing organizational models for agents, including AALAADIN, dependency theory, interaction protocols, and holonics, in a general theoretical framework [9].
Lessons Learned from a Health Record Bank Start-up

Summary Introduction: This article is part of a Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on Health Record Banking. Background: In late summer 2010, an organization was formed in greater Phoenix, Arizona (USA), to introduce a health record bank (HRB) in that community. The effort was initiated after market research and was aimed at engaging 200,000 individuals as members in the first year (5% of the population). It was also intended to evaluate a business model that was based on early adoption by consumers and physicians followed by additional revenue streams related to incremental services and secondary uses of clinical data, always with specific permission from individual members, each of whom controlled all access to his or her own data. Objectives: To report on the details of the HRB experience in Phoenix, to describe the sources of problems that were experienced, and to identify lessons that need to be considered in future HRB ventures. Methods: We describe staffing for the HRB effort, the computational platform that was developed, the approach to marketing, the engagement of practicing physicians, and the governance model that was developed to guide the HRB design and implementation. Results: Despite efforts to engage the phy -sician community, limited consumer advertising, and a carefully considered financial strategy, the experiment failed due to insufficient enrollment of individual members. It was discontinued in April 2011. Conclusions: Although the major problem with this HRB project was undercapitalization, we believe this effort demonstrated that basic HRB accounts should be free for members and that physician engagement and participation are key elements in constructing an effective marketing channel. Local community governance is essential for trust, and the included population must be large enough to provide sufficient revenues to sustain the resource in the long term.
Histopathological Changes in Estuarine Catfish: A Temporal Approach in a Marine Protected Area

: The Cananéia-Iguape Estuarine-Lagoon Complex (CIELC) is an area of low anthropogenic impact; however, it is not completely isolated from human pressure, particularly in the northern sector. Considering this scenario, this study aims to identify the health of two catfish species Cathorops spixii and Genidens Genidens taking into account the hepatic pathological analysis and the accumulation of iron in the form of hemosiderin considering a temporal approach. Biometric measurements were taken