Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Almost everywhere elimination of probability quantifiers

Abstract We obtain an almost everywhere quantifier elimination for (the noncritical fragment of) the logic with probability quantifiers, introduced by the first author in [10]. This logic has quantifiers like ∃≥3/4y which says that “for at least 3/4 of all y”. These results improve upon the 0-1 law for a fragment of this logic obtained by Knyazev [11]. Our improvements are: 1. We deal with the quantifier ∃≥ry, where y is a tuple of variables. 2. We remove the closedness restriction, which requires that the variables in y occur in all atomic subformulas of the quantifier scope. 3. Instead of the unbiased measure where each model with universe n has the same probability, we work with any measure generated by independent atomic probabilities PR for each predicate symbol R. 4. We extend the results to parametric classes of finite models (for example, the classes of bipartite graphs, undirected graphs, and oriented graphs). 5. We extend the results to a natural (noncritical) fragment of the infinitary logic with probability quantifiers. 6. We allow each PR, as well as each r in the probability quantifier (∃≥ry), to depend on the size of the universe.
Developing Large-Scale Emergency Evacuation Capabilities in Response to Airborne Hazmat Release

Large-scale evacuation is called for when a natural (such as hurricane) or man-made (such as hazmat release or even dirty bomb) extreme event strikes a populated area so that the population is exposed to immediate or foreseeable life-threatening danger. Evacuating a large population is an extremely complicated and difficult task, which primarily relies on efficient utilization of intermodal transportation systems, and effective evacuee evacuation schemes. In an unexpected extreme event scenario, evacuating a large population could be devastating. Lacking proper coordination among evacuees in choosing evacuation times and routes, evacuees often get stuck in the roadway gridlocks for an excessive period of time. This could lead to significant life and property loss that would have been otherwise saved. This paper presents a research that is aimed at developing an emergency evacuation modeling capability, which entails a careful integration of an optimal evacuation time and route choice model, as well as a traffic simulation model. The optimal evacuation time and route choice model is a non-linear mathematical programming model. The traffic simulation model is a meso-scopic simulation model that simulates all the vehicles in the network in a computational efficient manner. The El Paso area network has been constructed as a test bed for the case study in which a toxic airborne hazmat release incident occurs in the morning peak hours; thus calls for a large-scale city wide evacuation. Experiment results conclude that the proposed methodology provide a critical operational planning capability for large-scale emergency evacuation management. Significant insights about evacuating citizens out of central El Paso are also provided.
Altered MAPK Signaling in Progressive Deterioration of Endothelial Function in Diabetic Mice

We aimed to investigate specific roles of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the deterioration of endothelial function during the progression of diabetes and the potential therapeutic effects of MAPK inhibitors and agonists in the amelioration of endothelial function. Protein expression and phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal–regulated kinase (Erk) were assessed in mesenteric arteries of 3- (3M) and 9-month-old (9M) male diabetic and control mice. The expression of p38, JNK, and Erk was comparable in all groups of mice, but the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK was increased in 3M and further increased in 9M diabetic mice, whereas the phosphorylation of Erk was substantially reduced in 9M diabetic mice. NADPH oxidase–dependent superoxide production was significantly increased in vessels of two ages of diabetic mice. Inhibition of either p38 with SB203580 or JNK with SP600125 reduced superoxide production and improved shear stress–induced dilation (SSID) in 3M, but not in 9M, diabetic mice. Treating the vessels of 9M diabetic mice with resveratrol increased Erk phosphorylation and shear stress–induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and activity, but resveratrol alone did not improve SSID. Administration of resveratrol and SB203580 or resveratrol and SP600125 together significantly improved SSID in vessels of 9M diabetic mice. The improved response was prevented by U0126, an Erk inhibitor. Thus, p38/JNK-dependent increase in oxidative stress diminished nitric oxide–mediated dilation in vessels of 3M diabetic mice. Oxidative stress and impaired Erk-dependent activation of eNOS exacerbates endothelial dysfunction in the advanced stage of diabetes.
Some recent advances in consensus of multiagent dynamical systems

Over the past decade, the consensus of multiagent systems has received an increasing attention in various fields, such as mathematics, physics, biology, and engineering sciences. There arc numerous results reported on the comsensus of multiagent systems. Now it is necessary to review the recent advances in consensus of multiagent systems. This paper firstly reviews the main mathematical models of multiagcnt systems, including Ooids model, Vicsek model, and Couzin-Levin model. Moreover, this paper reviews the main advances in the consensus of multiagent systems, including the linear local updating rules, nonlinear local updating rules, and leader and asymmetric matrix cases.
Effect of Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in Rabbit Corneal Epithelial Cells on Inflammatory and Apoptotic Signaling Pathways in the Presence of High Osmotic Pressure

It is generally accepted that high osmotic pressure (HOP) of lacrimal fluid is the core mechanism causing ocular inflammation and injury. However, the association between HOP and the regulation of cell inflammatory response and apoptotic pathways remains unclear. In the present study, we used HOP to interfere with in vitro cultured rabbit corneal epithelial cells, and found that HOP increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rabbit corneal epithelial cells, and increased ROS in turn induced the activation of JNK inflammatory signaling pathway, which further promoted the expression of pro-inflammatory factor NF-κβ and induced the generation of inflammatory factor IL-1β and TNF-α. In addition, HOP-induced ROS in rabbit corneal epithelial cells regulated the CD95/CD95L-mediated cell apoptotic signaling pathway by activating JNK inflammatory signaling pathway. These findings may serve as new theoretical basis and a new way of thinking about the treatment of ocular diseases, especially dry eye.
On the Evolutionary State of the Components of the YLW 15 Binary System

We report centimeter continuum observations with the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), as well as mid-infrared observations with the Cooled Mid-Infrared Camera and Spectrometer on the Subaru Telescope toward the components of the YLW 15 very young binary system, VLA 1 and VLA 2. The centimeter emission of the two components traces partially thick free-free emission, likely due to collimated, ionized winds. VLA 1 is an embedded protostar, undetected in the near-IR, and possibly in the Class 0 to Class I transition and powering a Herbig-Haro outflow. Its mid-IR emission appears slightly resolved with a diameter of ∼16 AU, possibly tracing circumstellar material from both the envelope and the disk. VLA 2 is a typical Class I object, unresolved in the mid-IR, and is responsible for the strong X-ray emission associated with YLW 15. The expected centimeter "peristellar" emission associated with the X-ray emission is not detected with the VLBA at 6 cm, likely because of the high optical depth of the free-free emission. Strikingly, the near- to mid-IR properties of YLW 15 suggest that VLA 1 is a more embedded young stellar object (YSO), or alternatively, less luminous than VLA 2, whereas orbital proper motions of this binary system indicate that VLA 1 is more massive than VLA 2. This result is apparently against the expected evolutionary scenario, in which one expects that the more massive YSO in a binary system is the more evolved and luminous YSO. Finally, the nearby source YLW 16A is detected with the VLA; its position coincides with reported near-IR and X-ray sources.
The effect of graphomotor exercises and music on normal children and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The behavior of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a syndrome 'characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, has a large impact on families, schools and society. Secondary symptoms include: difficulties regulating behavior, paying attention, motor planning, timing, and in handwriting. Diagnosis must be accomplished using a multiple method approach from two or more sources. Barkley's (1997a) model suggests dysfunction of behavioral inhibition as the controlling variable for ADHD, which adversely affects the motor system as well as executive functions. Although treatment with drug therapy is common and has been shown to reduce symptoms, it is temporary, and can have adverse side effects. For these reasons, many prefer not to use it. Alternative treatments have been shown to have some efficacy, especially when used with drug therapy. Dynamic Systems theory suggests that an intervention which combines graphomotor exercises, with music, may have a positive affect on a child's behavior and attention. A 2 x 2 pretest-posttest design tested the hypotheses that normal children and children with ADHD and who received the intervention, would significantly improve on measures of
The IFN/ENIT-database - a tool to develop Arabic handwriting recognition systems

Databases enclosing a huge amount of images of handwritten words together with detailed ground truth information are the most important precondition for the development of handwritten word recognition systems. The IFN/ENIT-database of handwritten Tunisian town names is used by many research groups working on recognition systems. This paper gives at first a short overview about the most important features of the IFN/ENIT-database. In the second part an example of using the data for developing baseline estimation methods is given. In the third part a recognition system is described and some results are shown.
Measuring presidential centrism and its effect on repression: does ideology influence whether democratic governments respect human rights?

ABSTRACT If presidential runoff elections promote high human rights respect (Holzer 2018), and presidential runoff elections also promote the election of centrists (Haan and Vokerink 2001; Brusco, Dziubiski, and Roy 2012), are centrist presidents more likely to protect human rights? This research note aim to answer this question by analysing an original measure of presidential centrism for 14 democracies spanning from 1990 to 2011. By finding that there is a greater probability of an increase in government respect for human rights (and lower probability of a decrease in government respect for human rights) when the president is ideologically closer to the median voter, I reemphasise the ‘impact of ideology on human rights practices’ (Yazici 2018: 12).
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in prison inmates

All previously published papers were reproduced with permission from the publisher. 'If one is truly to succeed in leading a person towards a specific goal, one must first and foremost meet him where he is and start from there. ABSTRACT Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an inherited developmental disorder with early onset, chronically persisting in the vast majority of cases. ADHD is associated with pervasive cognitive, emotional and functional impairments, as well as an increased rate of coexisting disorders. ADHD in the presence of early disruptive behaviours increase the risk for later delinquency. ADHD is estimated to be present in about 25-45% of adult prison inmates, thus 10-times increased relative to the general population. Despite this, pharmacological treatment for ADHD has not previously been evaluated in prison inmates.
Computing periodic solutions of linear differential-algebraic equations by waveform relaxation

We propose an algorithm, which is based on the waveform relaxation (WR) approach, to compute the periodic solutions of a linear system described by differential-algebraic equations. For this kind of two-point boundary problems, we derive an analytic expression of the spectral set for the periodic WR operator. We show that the periodic WR algorithm is convergent if the supremum value of the spectral radii for a series of matrices derived from the system is less than 1. Numerical examples, where discrete waveforms are computed with a backward-difference formula, further illustrate the correctness of the theoretical work in this paper.
Predictive Tracking in Vision-based Hand Pose Estimation using Unscented Kalman Filter and Multi-viewpoint Cameras

One of the major challenges in human-robot interaction is how to enable the use of unrestricted hand motion as a tool for communication. The direct use of hand as an input tool enables the user to connect to systems more naturally, allowing them to become an integral part of our daily lives. A vision-based approach, using cameras to capture data, supports non-contact and unrestricted movement of the hand. Nonetheless, the high degrees of freedom (DOF) of the hand is an essential issue to tackle in articulated hand motion tracking and pose estimation. In this paper, we present our vision-based model-based approach, which uses multiple cameras and predictive filtering, to estimate the pose of the hand. We build on the research of Ueda et al., whose work can separately estimate the global pose (wrist position and palm orientation) and the local pose (finger joint angles), but not simultaneously (Ueda et al., 2003). We address the problem through the use of a non-linear filter, Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF), to track the motion and simultaneously estimate the global and local poses of the hand. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 presents the related works and Section 3 discusses the UKF. Section 4 explains the hand pose estimation system and Section 5 details how we use the UKF for tracking and pose estimation. Experimental results and discussions are found in Section 6.
Physical Activity during a Prolonged Congested Period in a Top-Class European Football Team

Purpose The aim of the present study was to examine the variation in physical activity of elite soccer players within successive prolonged periods of fixture congestion over 5 months of competition during the competitive season 2011-2012. Methods Sixteen international players, classified into 6 positions (central defenders: CD; full-backs: FB; central defensive midfielders: CDM; wide midfielders: WM; central attacking midfielders: CAM; forwards: FW), were examined during the French First League, French Cup, and UEFA Champion's League matches. The total distance covered at light (<12 km.h−1), sustained-cruising (>18-21 km.h−1), high (>21-23 km.h−1), very high (>23-25 km.h−1), sub-maximal (>25-27 km.h−1), and maximal (>27 km.h−1) intensity running (IR) were measured and analysed using a semi-automatic match analysis system (Amisco Pro™). Results No differences were observed between congested and non-congested periods (two vs. one match a week, respectively) for the total distance covered at all the speed thresholds over 18 km.h−1, with no variation in physical fitness over the 5 studied months. Specifically to the playing positions, regardless of the congestion periods, FB and WM covered more distance than CDM over 21km.h−1; FB, WM and FW covered similar distances for all running intensities; and CD and CDM covered shorter distance during non-congested compared to congested periods (P<0.05) at light-IR. Conclusion The present study reveals that prolonged congested match fixture did not affect the high-intensity physical activity of top-class soccer players during official games during a 5 months fixture period.
A NICMOS Survey of Early-Type Galaxy Centers: The Relation Between Core Properties, Gas and Dust Content, and Environment

We present a NICMOS 1.6 μm imaging isophotal study of 27 early-type galaxies. Core galaxies have reduced ellipticity and boxiness near and within their core or break radius. This supports a core formation mechanism that mixes or scatters stars such as scattering caused by a binary black hole. We find the same trends between central surface brightness and luminosities as the WPFC studies. We find no correlation between core properties and dust mass or X-ray luminosity, suggesting that processes determining the current gas content (e.g., such as minor mergers and cooling flows) are unrelated to processes occurring during core formation. Core galaxies exist in a variety of environments ranging from poor groups to large clusters. A combined sample suggests that galaxy groups may harbor more luminous power-law galaxies than clusters such as Virgo and Fornax.
What outcomes have mindfulness and meditation interventions for managers and leaders achieved? A systematic review

ABSTRACT No systematic review had previously been conducted examining the benefits mindfulness or meditation interventions for leaders and managers. However, the literature suggested that such interventions would have a positive impact on leaders’ own well-being, their leadership capability, their “post-conventional” leadership capacity, and their direct reports. The purpose of this study was therefore to systematically review research on mindfulness or meditation interventions for managers and leaders. Our review identified 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate some encouraging signs that mindfulness and meditation interventions may improve aspects of leaders’/managers’ well-being and resilience, and leadership capability, possibly including their “post-conventional” leadership, but research results are very variable in quality and strength, and there was no evidence on benefits for participants’ direct reports. The studies reviewed explored a diversity of interventions, but provided little insight into which mindfulness and meditation interventions for managers and leaders are most effective, in what context they are best applied, or for whom they are most suitable. While the sub-set of studies that measured mindfulness found that the interventions used did increase participants’ mindfulness, there was no exploration of whether improved mindfulness was the mechanism by which other positive outcomes were achieved.
A neuroanatomically grounded optimal control model of the compensatory eye movement system

We present a working model of the compensatory eye movement system. We challenge the model with a data set of eye movements in mice (n=34) recorded in 4 different sinusoidal stimulus conditions with 36 different combinations of frequency (0.1-3.2 Hz) and amplitude (0.5-8°) in each condition. The conditions included vestibular stimulation in the dark (vestibular-ocular reflex, VOR), optokinetic stimulation (optokinetic reflex, OKR), and two combined visual/vestibular conditions (the visual-vestibular ocular reflex, vVOR, and visual suppression of the VOR, sVOR). The model successfully reproduced the eye movements in all conditions, except for minor failures to predict phase when gain was very low. Most importantly, it could explain the non-linear summation of VOR and OKR when the two reflexes are activated simultaneously during vVOR stimulation. In addition to our own data, we also reproduced the behavior of the compensatory eye movement system found in the existing literature. These include its response to sum-of-sines stimuli, its response after lesions of the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi or the flocculus, characteristics of VOR adaptation, and characteristics of drift in the dark. Our model is based on ideas of state prediction and forward modeling that have been widely used in the study of motor control. However, it represents one of the first quantitative efforts to simulate the full range of behaviors of a specific system. The model has two separate processing loops, one for vestibular stimulation and one for visual stimulation. Importantly, state prediction in the visual processing loop depends on a forward model of residual retinal slip after vestibular processing. In addition, we hypothesize that adaptation in the system is primarily adaptation of this model. In other words, VOR adaptation happens primarily in the OKR loop.
Metabolic and Microbial Modulation of the Large Intestine Ecosystem by Non-Absorbed Diet Phenolic Compounds: A Review

Phenolic compounds represent a diverse group of phytochemicals whose intake is associated with a wide spectrum of health benefits. As consequence of their low bioavailability, most of them reach the large intestine where, mediated by the action of local microbiota, a series of related microbial metabolites are accumulated. In the present review, gut microbial transformations of non-absorbed phenolic compounds are summarized. Several studies have reached a general consensus that unbalanced diets are associated with undesirable changes in gut metabolism that could be detrimental to intestinal health. In terms of explaining the possible effects of non-absorbed phenolic compounds, we have also gathered information regarded their influence on the local metabolism. For this purpose, a number of issues are discussed. Firstly, we consider the possible implications of phenolic compounds in the metabolism of colonic products, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA), sterols (cholesterol and bile acids), and microbial products of non-absorbed proteins. Due to their being recognized as affective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, the ability of phenolic compounds to counteract or suppress pro-oxidant and/or pro-inflammatory responses, triggered by bowel diseases, is also presented. The modulation of gut microbiota through dietetic maneuvers including phenolic compounds is also commented on. Although the available data seems to assume positive effects in terms of gut health protection, it is still insufficient for solid conclusions to be extracted, basically due to the lack of human trials to confirm the results obtained by the in vitro and animal studies. We consider that more emphasis should be focused on the study of phenolic compounds, particularly in their microbial metabolites, and their power to influence different aspects of gut health.
Evolution of Ego-networks in Social Media with Link Recommendations

Ego-networks are fundamental structures in social graphs, yet the process of their evolution is still widely unexplored. In an online context, a key question is how link recommender systems may skew the growth of these networks, possibly restraining diversity. To shed light on this matter, we analyze the complete temporal evolution of 170M ego-networks extracted from Flickr and Tumblr, comparing links that are created spontaneously with those that have been algorithmically recommended. We find that the evolution of ego-networks is bursty, community-driven, and characterized by subsequent phases of explosive diameter increase, slight shrinking, and stabilization. Recommendations favor popular and well-connected nodes, limiting the diameter expansion. With a matching experiment aimed at detecting causal relationships from observational data, we find that the bias introduced by the recommendations fosters global diversity in the process of neighbor selection. Last, with two link prediction experiments, we show how insights from our analysis can be used to improve the effectiveness of social recommender systems.