Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Document recommendation in social tagging services

Social tagging services allow users to annotate various online resources with freely chosen keywords (tags). They not only facilitate the users in finding and organizing online resources, but also provide meaningful collaborative semantic data which can potentially be exploited by recommender systems. Traditional studies on recommender systems focused on user rating data, while recently social tagging data is becoming more and more prevalent. How to perform resource recommendation based on tagging data is an emerging research topic. In this paper we consider the problem of document (e.g. Web pages, research papers) recommendation using purely tagging data. That is, we only have data containing users, tags, documents and the relationships among them. We propose a novel graph-based representation learning algorithm for this purpose. The users, tags and documents are represented in the same semantic space in which two related objects are close to each other. For a given user, we recommend those documents that are sufficiently close to him/her. Experimental results on two data sets crawled from Del.icio. us and CiteULike show that our algorithm can generate promising recommendations and outperforms traditional recommendation algorithms.
Self-control Predicts Exercise Behavior by Force of Habit, a Conceptual Replication of Adriaanse et al. (2014)

A recent study suggests that habits play a mediating role in the association between trait self-control and eating behavior, supporting a notion of effortless processes in trait self-control (Adriaanse et al., 2014). We conceptually replicated this research in the area of exercise behavior, hypothesizing that these associations would generalize to other self-control related behaviors. Sufficient exercise is essential for several health and well-being outcomes, and therefore many people intend to exercise. However, the majority of the population does not actually exercise to a sufficient or intended extent, due to competing temptations and short-term goals. This conflict makes exercise a typical example of a self-control dilemma. A within-subjects survey study was conducted to test associations between trait self-control, habit strength, and exercise behavior. Participants were recruited at a local gym. Results demonstrated that trait self-control predicted exercise behavior. Mediation analysis revealed that the association between self-control and exercise was mediated by stronger exercise habits, replicating findings by Adriaanse et al. (2014). These results highlight the relevance of self-control in the domain of exercise. In addition, they add to a growing body of knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of trait self-control on behavior that point to habit—rather than effortful impulse inhibition—as a potential key to self-control success.
Biodegradable polymeric microsphere-based vaccines and their applications in infectious diseases

Vaccination, which provides effective, safe infectious disease protection, is among the most important recent public health and immunological achievements. However, infectious disease remains the leading cause of death in developing countries because several vaccines require repeated administrations and children are often incompletely immunized. Microsphere-based systems, providing controlled release delivery, can obviate the need for repeat immunizations. Here, we review the function of sustained and pulsatile release of biodegradable polymeric microspheres in parenteral and mucosal single-dose vaccine administration. We also review the active-targeting function of polymeric particles. With their shield and co-delivery functions, polymeric particles are applied to develop single-dose and mucosally administered vaccines as well as to improve subunit vaccines. Because polymeric particles are easily surface-modified, they have been recently used in vaccine development for cancers and many infectious diseases without effective vaccines (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus infection). These polymeric particle functions yield important vaccine carriers and multiple benefits.
The surface brightness of the Galaxy at the Solar Neighbourhood

We present a new determination of the surface brightness of our Galaxy at the Solar Neighbourhood as observed from outside the Galaxy. We rely on various existing optical and infra-red surveys to obtain a multiwavelength estimate. On the one hand, scattered light does not contribute significantly to the surface brightness. On the other hand, optical and infrared integrated all-sky surveys (Pioneer 10/11 and COBE/DIRBE) show a systematically larger value than our synthetic local estimate based on Hipparcos data. This local estimate is also compatible with our Galactic simulations normalised at the Solar Neighbourhood and assuming a homogeneous stellar distribution. We interpret this disagreement as a signature of the presence of a local minimum of the stellar density compatible with Gould's belt. According to this result, the global luminosity of the Milky Way should follow the Tully-Fisher relation established for external galaxies.
CarFast: achieving higher statement coverage faster

Test coverage is an important metric of software quality, since it indicates thoroughness of testing. In industry, test coverage is often measured as statement coverage. A fundamental problem of software testing is how to achieve higher statement coverage faster, and it is a difficult problem since it requires testers to cleverly find input data that can steer execution sooner toward sections of application code that contain more statements. We created a novel fully automatic approach for aChieving higher stAtement coveRage FASTer (CarFast), which we implemented and evaluated on twelve generated Java applications whose sizes range from 300 LOC to one million LOC. We compared CarFast with several popular test case generation techniques, including pure random, adaptive random, and Directed Automated Random Testing (DART). Our results indicate with strong statistical significance that when execution time is measured in terms of the number of runs of the application on different input test data, CarFast outperforms the evaluated competitive approaches on most subject applications.
Paranodal junction formation and spermatogenesis require sulfoglycolipids

Mammalian sulfoglycolipids comprise two major members, sulfatide (HSO3-3-galactosylceramide) and seminolipid (HSO3-3-monogalactosylalkylacylglycerol). Sulfatide is a major lipid component of the myelin sheath and serves as the epitope for the well known oligodendrocyte-marker antibody O4. Seminolipid is synthesized in spermatocytes and maintained in the subsequent germ cell stages. Both sulfoglycolipids can be synthesized in vitro by using the isolated cerebroside sulfotransferase. To investigate the physiological role of sulfoglycolipids and to determine whether sulfatide and seminolipid are biosynthesized in vivo by a single sulfotransferase, Cst-null mice were generated by gene targeting. Cst−/− mice lacked sulfatide in brain and seminolipid in testis, proving that a single gene copy is responsible for their biosynthesis. Cst−/− mice were born healthy, but began to display hindlimb weakness by 6 weeks of age and subsequently showed a pronounced tremor and progressive ataxia. Although compact myelin was preserved, Cst−/− mice displayed abnormalities in paranodal junctions. On the other hand, Cst−/− males were sterile because of a block in spermatogenesis before the first meiotic division, whereas females were able to breed. These data show a critical role for sulfoglycolipids in myelin function and spermatogenesis.
A Newsvendor Who Chooses Informational Effort

We study a newsvendor who can acquire the services of a forecaster, or, more generally, an information gatherer (IG) to improve his information about demand. When the IG's effort increases, does the average ex ante order quantity rise or fall? Do average ex post sales rise or fall? Improvements in information technology and in the services offered by forecasters provide motivation for the study of these questions. Much depends on our model of the IG and his efforts. We study an IG who sends a signal to a classic single‐period newsvendor. The signal defines the newsvendor's posterior probability distribution on the possible demands and the newsvendor uses that posterior to calculate the optimal order. Each of the possible posteriors is a scale/location transform of the same base distribution. When the IG works harder, the average scale parameter drops. Higher IG effort is always useful to the newsvendor. We show that there is a critical value of order cost. For costs on one side of this value more IG effort leads to a higher average ex ante order and for costs on the other side to a lower average order. But for all costs, more IG effort leads to higher average ex post sales. We obtain analogous results for a “regret‐averse” newsvendor who suffers a penalty that is a nonlinear function of the discrepancy between quantity ordered and true demand.
Vascular dysfunction and metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome.

CONTEXT Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and the metabolic syndrome; however, the cardiovascular (CV) manifestations of PCOS remain unclear. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between IR, metabolic parameters, androgens, and markers of early CV disease in PCOS. DESIGN We conducted an observational study examining noninvasive markers of early CV disease in women with PCOS including structural [carotid intimal media thickness (IMT)] and functional measures (arterial function with pulse wave velocity and endothelial function with brachial arterial flow-mediated vasodilation). Metabolic parameters included insulin and glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test and lipid and androgen levels. SETTING Participants were recruited from the general community. PATIENTS Eighty overweight women with PCOS who were nonsmokers and not on oral contraceptives or other medications known to affect IR participated in the study. RESULTS Stepwise regression analysis showed that after adjustment for age and body mass index, IMT was significantly correlated with blood pressure (BP) load (P = 0.03) and inversely with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (P = 0.01). After correction for androgen status, IMT was correlated with fasting glucose and area under curve (AUC) insulin. Flow-mediated vasodilation was inversely related to lipids (P = 0.02), whereas pulse wave velocity was related to BP (P < 0.001), AUC insulin (P = 0.04), and AUC glucose (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION In overweight women with PCOS, insulin resistance and BP interacted negatively with arterial structural and functional measures. DHEAS correlated inversely with arterial structure, suggesting possible cardioprotective effects of endogenous DHEAS in women with PCOS. Additional research is needed to clarify these findings.
The ‘pit-crew’ model for improving door-to-needle times in endovascular stroke therapy: a Six-Sigma project

Background Delays in delivering endovascular stroke therapy adversely affect outcomes. Time-sensitive treatments such as stroke interventions benefit from methodically developed protocols. Clearly defined roles in these protocols allow for parallel processing of tasks, resulting in consistent delivery of care. Objective To present the outcomes of a quality-improvement (QI) process directed at reducing stroke treatment times in a tertiary level academic medical center. Methods A Six-Sigma-based QI process was developed over a 3-month period. After an initial analysis, procedures were implemented and fine-tuned to identify and address rate-limiting steps in the endovascular care pathway. Prospectively recorded treatment times were then compared in two groups of patients who were treated ‘before’ (n=64) or ‘after’ (n=30) the QI process. Three time intervals were measured: emergency room (ER) to arrival for CT scan (ER–CT), CT scan to interventional laboratory arrival (CT–Lab), and interventional laboratory arrival to groin puncture (Lab–puncture). Results The ER–CT time was 40 (±29) min in the ‘before’ and 26 (±15) min in the ‘after’ group (p=0.008). The CT–Lab time was 87 (±47) min in the ‘before’ and 51 (±33) min in the ‘after’ group (p=0.0002). The Lab–puncture time was 24 (±11) min in the ‘before’ and 15 (±4) min in the ‘after’ group (p<0.0001). The overall ER–arrival to groin-puncture time was reduced from 2 h, 31 min (±51) min in the ‘before’ to 1 h, 33 min (±37) min in the ‘after’ group, (p<0.0001). The improved times were seen for both working hours and off-hours interventions. Conclusions A protocol-driven process can significantly improve efficiency of care in time-sensitive stroke interventions.
Comovement in investment and corporate governance *

This paper examines the propensity of firms to comove in investment decisions. Although stock return comovement and herding among investors received considerable attention in existing work, little is known about correlated investment behavior of firms. After controlling for the similarity of firm characteristics, investments are expected to comove more when firms imitate other firms and rely on public information rather than on firm specific private information about investment opportunities. We consider the effects of agency conflicts on comovement and find evidence in support of managerial shirking of information acquisition effort. Weakly governed managers rely less on private information acquisition and comove more in their investment decisions. Our results also show that the effect is strongest for firms in industries with high information intensity and specialized assets. Further, comovement in investment is decreasing in shareholder rights and property rights protections and increasing in the degree of information asymmetry. The results are obtained after controlling for similarity in firm investment opportunities, correlation in cash flows, fraction of tangible assets, and industry concentration. Critically, we find that comovement in investment has a negative effect on firm and industry performance and productivity growth, after controlling for other factors. JEL classification: G30, G31, G34, K00
Fast Recruitment of Recurrent Inhibition in the Cat Visual Cortex

Neurons of the same column in L4 of the cat visual cortex are likely to share the same sensory input from the same region of the visual field. Using visually-guided patch clamp recordings we investigated the biophysical properties of the synapses of neighboring layer 4 neurons. We recorded synaptic connections between all types of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in L4. The E–E, E–I, and I–E connections had moderate CVs and failure rates. However, E–I connections had larger amplitudes, faster rise-times, and shorter latencies. Identification of the sites of putative synaptic contacts together with compartmental simulations on 3D reconstructed cells, suggested that E–I synapses tended to be located on proximal dendritic branches, which would explain their larger EPSP amplitudes and faster kinetics. Excitatory and inhibitory synapses were located at the same distance on distal dendrites of excitatory neurons. We hypothesize that this co-localization and the fast recruitment of local inhibition provides an efficient means of modulating excitation in a precisely timed way.
Targeting of Viral Capsids to Nuclear Pores in a Cell‐Free Reconstitution System

Many viruses deliver their genomes into the nucleoplasm for viral transcription and replication. Here, we describe a novel cell‐free system to elucidate specific interactions between viruses and nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). Nuclei reconstituted in vitro from egg extracts of Xenopus laevis, an established biochemical system to decipher nuclear functions, were incubated with GFP‐tagged capsids of herpes simplex virus, an alphaherpesvirus replicating in the nucleus. Capsid binding to NPCs was analyzed using fluorescence and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Tegument‐free capsids or viral capsids exposing inner tegument proteins on their surface bound to nuclei, while capsids inactivated by a high‐salt treatment or covered by inner and outer tegument showed less binding. There was little binding of the four different capsid types to nuclei lacking functional NPCs. This novel approach provides a powerful system to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that enable viral structures to engage with NPCs. Furthermore, this assay could be expanded to identify molecular cues triggering viral genome uncoating and nuclear import of viral genomes.
Cross – Docking A Successful Method in Warehouses : A Case Study of a 3 PL Provider

Aiming to minimize transportation costs and increase supply chain effectiveness, methods, such as cross-docking, have been developed. Cross – docking enhances lean manufacturing, through minimization of time wasted, equipment, labor, thus optimizing the distribution process. The factors that have to considered, so that cross-docking is properly implemented, are the effective products’ and information flow, the use of information technology, the distance between suppliers and their customers, the location of the cross-docking terminal, the coordination between inbound and outbound flows and the demanded quantity of goods. Advantages of cross-docking are the decrease in overall supply chain cost, decrease in the cycle time of order, improved customer service, reduction in inventory and storage space. Nevertheless, cross-docking is not always suitable for all organizations. The establishment of advanced, and thus expensive, information technology constitutes an obstacle. The effectiveness of cross-docking can be evaluated through simulation techniques and advanced tailor-made software, so as to meet the needs and the requirements of each company. This paper investigates the operational aspects of a cross-docking system, by analyzing the case of a 3PL provider, operating in Thessaloniki. The aim of the paper is to discuss the effectiveness of cross docking implemented by a leading company in outsourcing.
The RNA-binding proteins HYL1 and SE promote accurate in vitro processing of pri-miRNA by DCL1

The results of genetic studies in Arabidopsis indicate that three proteins, the RNase III DICER-Like1 (DCL1), the dsRNA-binding protein HYPONASTIC LEAVES1 (HYL1), and the C2H2 Zn-finger protein SERRATE (SE), are required for the accurate processing of microRNA (miRNA) precursors in the plant cell nucleus. To elucidate the biochemical mechanism of miRNA processing, we developed an in vitro miRNA processing assay using purified recombinant proteins. We find that DCL1 alone releases 21-nt short RNAs from dsRNA as well as synthetic miR167b precursor RNAs. However, correctly processed miRNAs constitute a minority of the cleavage products. We show that recombinant HYL1 and SE proteins accelerate the rate of DCL1-mediated cleavage of pre- and pri-miR167b substrates and promote accurate processing.
Applications of Advanced Regression Analysis for Trading and Investment

This chapter examines and analyses the use of regression models in trading and investment with an application to foreign exchange (FX) forecasting and trading models. It is not intended as a general survey of all potential applications of regression methods to the field of quantitative trading and investment, as this would be well beyond the scope of a single chapter. For instance, time-varying parameter models are not covered here as they are the focus of another chapter in this book and Neural Network Regression (NNR) models are also covered in yet another chapter. In this chapter, NNR models are benchmarked against some other traditional regressionbased and alternative forecasting techniques to ascertain their potential added value as a forecasting and quantitative trading tool. In addition to evaluating the various models using traditional forecasting accuracy measures, such as root-mean-squared errors, they are also assessed using financial criteria, such as risk-adjusted measures of return. Having constructed a synthetic EUR/USD series for the period up to 4 January 1999, the models were developed using the same in-sample data, leaving the remainder for out-ofsample forecasting, October 1994 to May 2000, and May 2000 to July 2001, respectively. The out-of-sample period results were tested in terms of forecasting accuracy, and in terms of trading performance via a simulated trading strategy. Transaction costs are also taken into account. It is concluded that regression models, and in particular NNR models do have the ability to forecast EUR/USD returns for the period investigated, and add value as a forecasting and quantitative trading tool.
The investigational meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (ACWY-TT) and the seasonal influenza virus vaccine are immunogenic and well-tolerated when co-administered in adults

Co-administration of meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine (ACWY-TT) with seasonal influenza vaccine was investigated in a subset of adults enrolled in a larger study evaluating lot-to-lot consistency of ACWY-TT and non-inferiority to licensed tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MenPS). Subjects in this sub-study were randomized (3:1:1) to receive ACWY-TT alone (ACWY-TT group) or with seasonal influenza vaccine (Coad), or licensed MenPS alone. Serum bactericidal antibodies (rSBA) and serum haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody titers were measured pre- and 1 mo post-vaccination. Non-inferiority of the Coad group compared with ACWY-TT group was demonstrated in terms of rSBA geometric mean antibody titers (GMTs) to serogroups A, W-135 and Y. For serogroup C the pre-defined non-inferiority limit was marginally exceeded. Post-vaccination rSBA GMTs were significantly higher (exploratory analysis) in the Coad group compared with the MenPS group for serogroups A, W-135, and Y and were similar to the MenPS group for serogroup C. Overall, > 97% of subjects achieved rSBA titers ≥ 1:128 for all serogroups. The Coad group met all criteria defined by the Committee on Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) for seroprotection, seroconversion and seroconversion factor for HI antibodies for all three influenza strains. Grade 3 solicited local/general symptoms were reported by ≤ 1.9% of subjects in any group. These data support the co-administration of ACWY-TT with seasonal influenza vaccine when protection is needed against both diseases. This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT00453986
Trusting SVM for Piecewise Linear CNNs

We present a novel layerwise optimization algorithm for the learning objective of Piecewise-Linear Convolutional Neural Networks (PL-CNNs), a large class of convolutional neural networks. Specifically, PL-CNNs employ piecewise linear non-linearities such as the commonly used ReLU and max-pool, and an SVM classifier as the final layer. The key observation of our approach is that the problem corresponding to the parameter estimation of a layer can be formulated as a difference-of-convex (DC) program, which happens to be a latent structured SVM. We optimize the DC program using the concave-convex procedure, which requires us to iteratively solve a structured SVM problem. This allows to design an optimization algorithm with an optimal learning rate that does not require any tuning. Using the MNIST, CIFAR and ImageNet data sets, we show that our approach always improves over the state of the art variants of backpropagation and scales to large data and large network settings.