Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tunable Survivable Spanning Trees

Coping with network failures has become a major networking challenge. The concept of tunable survivability provides a quantitative measure for specifying any desired level (0%-100%) of survivability, thus offering flexibility in the routing choice. Previous works focused on implementing this concept on unicast transmissions. However, vital network information is often broadcast via spanning trees. Accordingly, in this study, we investigate the application of tunable survivability for efficient maintenance of spanning trees under the presence of failures. We establish efficient algorithmic schemes for optimizing the level of survivability under various QoS requirements. In addition, we derive theoretical bounds on the number of required trees for maximum survivability. Finally, through extensive simulations, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the tunable survivability concept in the construction of spanning trees. Most notably, we show that, typically, negligible reduction in the level of survivability results in major improvement in the QoS performance of the resulting spanning trees.
High Precision Georeferencing using GPS/INS and Image Matching

The registration and geometric recti cation of airborne scanner imagery is an essential prerequisite for the processing and analysis of this type of images. The Digital Photogrammetric Assembly (DPA) is an airborne camera consisting of three pan-chromatic line arrays for stereo imaging and four line arrays for multi-spectral imaging. For georeferencing the sensor system is completed by a module consisting of a di erential GPS receiver con guration and an Inertial Navigation System (INS). Additionally, due to the along-track stereo capability of the camera error terms for position and attitude can be estimated by photogrammetric constraints utilizing ground control points and corresponding image points. In order to get a high accuracy position and attitude are determined by integrating all available information (GPS, INS and stereo image data). Within the article the geometric processing of the high precision and high resolution scanner imagery will be described and results of the performed test ight in October 1996 will be presented.
A Telencephalic Nucleus Essential for Song Learning Contains Neurons with Physiological Characteristics of Both Striatum and Globus Pallidus

The song system of oscine birds has frequently been presented as a model system for motor learning in vertebrates. This practice has been bolstered by the growing recognition that one part of the song system that is essential for song learning, area X, is a component of the avian striatum. The mammalian striatum, the input structure of the basal ganglia, has been implicated in a number of motor-related functions, including motor learning, suggesting that song learning in birds and motor learning in mammals may use similar physiological mechanisms. We studied the intrinsic physiological properties of area X neurons in brain slices to see how closely they match properties identified in mammalian striatal neurons and to collect data that are necessary to understand how area X processes information. We found that area X contains all four physiological cell types present in the mammalian striatum and that each is very similar to its mammalian counterpart. We also found a fifth cell type in area X that has not been reported in mammalian striatum; instead, this cell type resembles neurons that have been recorded in the mammalian globus pallidus. This pallidum-like cell type morphologically resembles the projection neurons of area X. We suggest that area X contains a pathway equivalent to the “direct” striatopallidothalamic pathway through the mammalian basal ganglia, with the striatal and pallidal components intermingled in one nucleus.
Accuracy of Diagnostic Methods and Surveillance Sensitivity for Human Enterovirus, South Korea, 1999–2011

The epidemiology of enteroviral infection in South Korea during 1999–2011 chronicles nationwide outbreaks and changing detection and subtyping methods used over the 13-year period. Of 14,657 patients whose samples were tested, 4,762 (32.5%) samples were positive for human enterovirus (human EV); as diagnostic methods improved, the rate of positive results increased. A seasonal trend of outbreaks was documented. Genotypes enterovirus 71, echovirus 30, coxsackievirus B5, enterovirus 6, and coxsackievirus B2 were the most common genotypes identified. Accurate test results correlated clinical syndromes to enterovirus genotypes: aseptic meningitis to echovirus 30, enterovirus 6, and coxsackievirus B5; hand, foot and mouth disease to coxsackievirus A16; and hand, foot and mouth disease with neurologic complications to enterovirus 71. There are currently no treatments specific to human EV infections; surveillance of enterovirus infections such as this study provides may assist with evaluating the need to research and develop treatments for infections caused by virulent human EV genotypes.
Cell organization in soft media due to active mechanosensing

Adhering cells actively probe the mechanical properties of their environment and use the resulting information to position and orient themselves. We show that a large body of experimental observations can be consistently explained from one unifying principle, namely that cells strengthen contacts and cytoskeleton in the direction of large effective stiffness. Using linear elasticity theory to model the extracellular environment, we calculate optimal cell organization for several situations of interest and find excellent agreement with experiments for fibroblasts, both on elastic substrates and in collagen gels: cells orient in the direction of external tensile strain; they orient parallel and normal to free and clamped surfaces, respectively; and they interact elastically to form strings. Our method can be applied for rational design of tissue equivalents. Moreover, our results indicate that the concept of contact guidance has to be reevaluated. We also suggest that cell–matrix contacts are up-regulated by large effective stiffness in the environment because, in this way, build-up of force is more efficient.
High purity amphotericin B.

OBJECTIVES Amphotericin B (AmB) is a drug of choice for treatment of disseminated fungal infections, but its use is often associated with severe adverse effects. Our observation that generic formulations of AmB contain multiple polyene components led us to propose that removal of other polyenes would yield a high purity AmB (AmBHP) with an improved therapeutic index. METHODS To test that premise, AmBHP was first isolated from generic AmB by semi-preparative reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography and then its effects were compared in vitro and in vivo with those of commercial AmB formulations. RESULTS AmBHP proved to be as active as generic AmB against Candida albicans in vitro and as efficacious as both generic and lipid-complexed AmB in a Candida-infected mouse model. AmBHP appeared to be less toxic to human THP-1 monocytic cells than was generic AmB at low concentrations (<2 microM), as indicated by exclusion of Trypan Blue and incorporation of [(3)H]thymidine. At higher concentrations, effects of AmBHP and generic AmB (Pharma-Tek AmB, PTAmB) on thymidine incorporation and cytosolic calcium concentration were similar. General toxicity to AmBHP in vivo, as indicated by its apparent LD(50) and survival of Candida-infected mice, was roughly twofold less than that to generic or lipid-complexed AmB. Likewise, AmBHP decreased mean glomerular filtration rate about half as much as did a 10-fold lower dose of PTAmB. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data indicate that AmBHP may represent a refinement of currently marketed AmB formulations, offering equal, if not better, efficacy with less toxicity.
The Informational Role of Bond Analysts

ABSTRACT This study uses a large sample of sell-side bond analysts' reports to examine the properties of recommendations provided by bond analysts and the impact of these recommendations on bond securities. First, we document that the distribution of bond analysts' buy, hold, and sell recommendations is skewed positively, but less so than the distribution of equity analysts' recommendations. The positive skewness in bond analysts' recommendations is greater for low than for high credit quality bonds. Second, we find that bond analysts' reports generate bond trading and return reactions that are both economically significant and greater for low credit quality bonds. The bond market reaction is greater for bond analysts' reports than for equity analysts' reports. Finally, while both bond and equity analysts lead rating agency announcements, we find no evidence of a difference in timeliness between bond and equity analysts' reports. Overall, our results are consistent with bond analysts issuing more negative reports than equity analysts and providing more information about low credit quality bonds as a result of the asymmetric demand for negative information by bond investors. Copyright (c), University of Chicago on behalf of the Accounting Research Center, 2009.
The Effects of Exchange Rate Regimes on Real Exchange Rate Volatility . A Dynamic Panel Data Approach

The behavior of the real exchange rate (RER) volatility under different nominal exchange rate arrangements at national level and at different international monetary configurations continues to be one of the most controversial topics in international finance. The reason for this is because, up to now, it was difficult to establish not only a univocal consensus on this relationship, but also among the different exchange rate regimes and the macroeconomic variables.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs from Korea

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are closely related protozoan parasites, they share many common hosts, and can cause neurological diseases in dogs. Dogs can have close contacts with humans and livestock and therefore they can act as reservoirs of these parasites. The aim of this study was to survey the seroprevalence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum and their co-infection rate in dogs in Korea. In total, sera from 553 domestic dogs were collected from different breeds, sexes, and ages of dogs from nine provinces across the country of Korea during 2006 and 2007. The presence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum was analyzed using the latex agglutination test (LAT) with a cut-off value of 1:32, and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using a serum titer of 1:100. In the total dog population, 71 (12.8%) dogs were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies and only 20 (3.6%) were positive for anti-N. caninum antibodies. Relatively higher seropositive frequencies of antibodies against T. gondii (20.1%) and N. caninum (4.9%) were detected in the dog population from the Gyeonggi. A higher proportion of animals seropositive for anti-T. gondii antibodies was found in stray dog populations as compared to household dog populations: 18.5% (59/319) vs 5.1% (12/234), respectively. The Chi-square tests revealed significant differences in the seropositive frequencies of antibodies against T. gondii between stray and household dogs in the total population (p<0.0001), and in dogs from the Gyeonggi (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii or N. caninum when compared across the sex or age (p>0.05). The first serological survey on antibodies against both T. gondii and N. caninum parasites across the entire country showed that co-infection was not common in these canine populations with a seropositive level of 0.72%. The significantly higher positive frequency of T. gondii antibodies in stray dogs in both, Gyeonggi and in the total dog populations suggests that further investigation on the seroprevalence of parasites should focus on stray dogs.
Comparative Analysis of the Bacterial Membrane Disruption Effect of Two Natural Plant Antimicrobial Peptides

In the Medicago truncatula genome about 700 genes code for nodule-specific cysteine-rich (NCR) small peptides that are expressed in the symbiotic organ, the root nodule, where they control terminal differentiation of the endosymbiotic rhizobium bacteria to nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. Cationic NCR peptides were predicted to have antimicrobial activities. Here antibacterial activities of NCR247, NCR335, polymyxin B (PMB), and streptomycin were investigated and compared on two foodborne pathogens Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes as representatives of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The integrity of the bacterial membrane was seriously compromised by these NCR peptides. Different localization was observed for NCR247 and NCR335 in the treated bacteria, the peptides mostly accumulated in the cytosol in S. enterica while they remained in the bacterial membrane in L. monocytogenes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct membrane morphology of the peptide-treated bacteria. Complete cell disruption was induced by PMB and NCR335 in S. enterica while NCR247 treatment resulted in extensive budding observed on the cell surface of Salmonella. PMB had no effect on L. monocytogenes while NCR335 and NCR247 provoked morphological changes on this bacterium, the whole Listeria cell content was released in response to NCR335 treatment.
Disentangling the Cosmic Web. I. Morphology of Isodensity Contours

We apply Minkowski functionals and various derived measures to decipher the morphological properties of large-scale structure seen in simulations of gravitational evolution. Minkowski functionals of isodensity contours serve as tools to test global properties of the density field. Furthermore, we identify coherent objects at various threshold levels and calculate their partial Minkowski functionals. We propose a set of two derived dimensionless quantities, planarity and filamentarity, which reduce the morphological information in a simple and intuitive way. Several simulations of the gravitational evolution of initial power-law spectra provide a framework for systematic tests of our method.
Integrity in and Beyond Contemporary Higher Education: What Does it Mean to University Students?

Research has focused on academic integrity in terms of students’ conduct in relation to university rules and procedures, whereas fewer studies examine student integrity more broadly. Of particular interest is whether students in higher education today conceptualize integrity as comprising such broader attributes as personal and social responsibility. We collected and analyzed qualitative responses from 127 students at the National University of Singapore to understand how they define integrity in their lives as students, and how they envisage integrity would be demonstrated in their lives after university. Consistent with the current literature, our data showed that integrity was predominantly taken as “not plagiarizing (in school)/giving appropriate credit when credit is due (in the workplace)”, “not cheating”, and “completing tasks independently”. The survey, though, also revealed further perceptions such as, in a university context, “not manipulating data (e.g., scientific integrity)”, “being honest with others”, “group work commitments”, “conscience/moral ethics/holding true to one’s beliefs”, “being honest with oneself”, “upholding a strong work ethic”, “going against conventions”, and “reporting others”, as well as, in a workplace context, “power and responsibility and its implications”, “professionalism”, and “representing or being loyal to an organization”. The findings suggest that some students see the notion of integrity extending beyond good academic conduct. It is worthwhile to (re)think more broadly what (else) integrity means, discover the gaps in our students’ understanding of integrity, and consider how best we can teach integrity to prepare students for future challenges to integrity and ethical dilemmas.
Congenital cataracts: de novo gene conversion event in CRYBB2

Purpose To identify the cause of congenital cataracts in a consanguineous family of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. Methods We performed genome-wide linkage analysis and whole-exome sequencing for the initial discovery of variants, and we confirmed the variants using gene-specific primers and Sanger sequencing. Results We found significant evidence of linkage to chromosome 22, under an autosomal dominant inheritance model, with a maximum logarithm of the odds (LOD) score of 3.91 (16.918 to 25.641 Mb). Exome sequencing identified three nonsynonymous changes in the CRYBB2 exon 5 coding sequence that are consistent with the sequence of the corresponding region of the pseudogene CRYBB2P1. The identification of these changes was complicated by possible mismapping of some mutated CRYBB2 sequences to CRYBB2P1. Sequencing with gene-specific primers confirmed that the changes—rs2330991, c.433 C>T (p.R145W); rs2330992, c.440A>G (p.Q147R); and rs4049504, c.449C>T (p.T150M)—present in all ten affected family members are located in CRYBB2 and are not artifacts of cross-reaction with CRYBB2P1. We did not find these changes in six unaffected family members, including the unaffected grandfather who contributed the affected haplotype, nor did we find them in the 100 Ashkenazi Jewish controls. Conclusions Our data are consistent with a de novo gene conversion event, transferring 270 base pairs at most from CRYBB2P1 to exon 5 of CRYBB2. This study highlights how linkage mapping can be complicated by de novo mutation events, as well as how sequence-analysis pipeline mapping of short reads from next-generation sequencing can be complicated by the existence of pseudogenes or other highly homologous sequences.
Robust impaired speech segmentation using neural network mixture model

This paper presents a signal processing technique for segmenting short speech utterances into unvoiced and voiced sections and identifying points where the spectrum becomes steady. The segmentation process is part of a system for deriving musculoskeletal articulation data from disordered utterances, in order to provide training feedback for people with speech articulation problem. The approach implement a novel and innovative segmentation scheme using artificial neural network mixture model (ANNMM) for identification and capturing of the various sections of the disordered (impaired) speech signals. This paper also identify some salient features that distinguish normal speech from impaired speech of the same utterances. This research aim at developing artificial speech therapist capable of providing reliable text and audiovisual feed back progress report to the patient.
The Swedish Registry of Gallstone Surgery and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (GallRiks): A nationwide registry for quality assurance of gallstone surgery.

OBJECTIVES To describe the process of initiating and organizing a nationwide validated web-based quality registry of gallstone surgery and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and to present some clinical data and the impact the registry has had on the clinical treatment of gallstones. DESIGN Observational, population-based registry study. SETTING Data from the nationwide Swedish Registry of Gallstone Surgery and ERCP (GallRiks). PATIENTS From May 1, 2005, to December 31, 2011, 63 685 cholecystectomies (laparoscopic and open) and 37 860 ERCPs have been prospectively registered in GallRiks. INTERVENTIONS Cholecystectomies, laparoscopic or conventional, as well as ERCP in a population-based setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Registrations of all cholecystectomies and ERCPs are performed online by the surgeon or endoscopist. Thirty-day follow-up of both gallstone surgery and ERCP is mandatory, as is an additional 6-month follow-up of the cholecystectomies. Scores on the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey are registered preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively in elective cholecystectomies at selected units. RESULTS The 30-day overall complication rate is 6.1% in elective cholecystectomy, 11.2% in urgent cholecystectomy, and 12.0% following ERCP. The use of antibiotic and thromboembolic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Sweden has decreased by 8.7% and 17.8% (2006-2011), respectively, mainly owing to presentation of GallRiks data both at meetings and published in peer-reviewed publications. The large database has also enabled several research projects, including one demonstrating that the intention to perform intraoperative cholangiography reduced the risk of death after cholecystectomy. The database has reached greater than 90% national coverage and is continuously validated. CONCLUSIONS GallRiks is a validated national quality registry for gallstone surgery and ERCP, serving as a base for audit of gallstone disease treatment. It also provides a database for clinical research.
Variable Sparsity Kernel Learning Variable Sparsity Kernel Learning

This paper presents novel algorithms and applications for a particular class of mixed-norm regularization based Multiple Kernel Learning (MKL) formulations. The formulations assume that the given kernels are grouped and employ l1 norm regularization for promoting sparsity within RKHS norms of each group and lq, q ≥ 2 norm regularization for promoting non-sparse combinations across groups. Various sparsity levels in combining the kernels can be achieved with suitable choices of q and grouping of kernels — hence we name the formulations as Variable Sparsity Kernel Learning (VSKL) formulations. While previous attempts have a non-convex formulation, here we present a convex formulation which admits efficient Mirror-Descent (MD) based solving techniques. The proposed MD based algorithm optimizes over product of simplices and has a computational complexity of O ( mntot log nmax/ 2 ) where m is no. training datapoints, nmax, ntot are the maximum no. kernels in any group, total no. kernels respectively and is the error in approximating the objective. A detailed proof of convergence of the algorithm is also presented. Experimental results show that the VSKL formulations are well-suited for multi-modal learning tasks like object categorization. Results also show that the MD based algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art MKL solvers like simpleMKL in terms of computational efficiency.
Irisin Increased the Number and Improved the Function of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Diabetes Mellitus Mice

Abstract: The dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) was found to be associated with vascular complications in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Previous studies found that regular exercise could improve the function of EPCs in DM patients, but the underling mechanism was unclear. Irisin, a newly identified myokine, was induced by exercise and has been demonstrated to mediate some of the positive effects of exercise. In this study, we hypothesize that irisin may have direct effects on EPC function in DM mice. These data showed for the first time that irisin increased the number of EPCs in peripheral blood of DM mice and improved the function of EPCs derived from DM mice bone marrow. The mechanism for the effect of irisin is related to the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. Furthermore, irisin was demonstrated to improve endothelial repair in DM mice that received EPC transplants after carotid artery injury. The results of this study indicate a novel effect of irisin in regulating the number and function of EPCs via the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway, suggesting a potential for the administration of exogenous irisin as a succedaneum to improve EPC function in diabetic patients who fail to achieve such improvements through regular exercise.
Performance Characterisation of Brushless Doubly-Fed Generator

This paper presents the steady-state performance of the brushless doubly-fed machine operating as a generator. The performance characterization includes the generator efficiency, power factor and output power. The equivalent circuit model is used to represent the performance and the predictions are verified experimentally. The experimental results shown in this paper were carried out on a 180 frame size BDFM with a nested-loop rotor.