Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combined approach for gynecomastia

Background: Gynecomastia is a deformity of male chest. Treatment of gynecomastia varied from direct surgical excision to other techniques (mainly liposuction) to a combination of both. Skin excision is done according to the grade. In this study, experience of using liposuction adjuvant to surgical excision was described. Patients and methods: Between September 2012 and April 2015, a total of 14 patients were treated with liposuction and surgical excision through a periareolar incision. Preoperative evaluation was done in all cases to exclude any underlying cause of gynecomastia. Results: All fourteen patients were treated bilaterally (28 breast tissues). Their ages ranged between 13 and 33 years. Two patients were classified as grade I, and four as grade IIa, IIb or III, respectively. The first 3 patients showed seroma. Partial superficial epidermolysis of areola occurred in 2 cases. Superficial infection of incision occurred in one case and was treated conservatively. Conclusion: All grades of gynecomastia were managed by the same approach. Skin excision was added to a patient that had severe skin excess with limited activity and bad skin complexion. No cases required another setting or asked for 2nd opinion.
Synthesis and Surface Modification of Spindle-Type Magnetic Nanoparticles: Gold Coating and PEG Functionalization

In this paper, we describe the synthesis of gold coated spindle-type iron nanoparticles and its surface modification by a thiolated fluorescently-labelled polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer. A forced hydrolysis of ferric salts in the presence of phosphate ions was used to produce α-Fe2O3 spindle-type particles. The oxide powders were first reduced to α-iron under high temperature and controlled dihydrogen atmosphere. Then, the resulting magnetic spindle-type particles were covered by a shell of gold. The formation of the core@shell structure was driven by a redox-transmetalation reaction between iron(0) at the surface of particles and a gold(III) salt. Protected against oxidation, the Fe@Au core@shell nanoparticles were then grafted with a water soluble fluorescent-PEG-thiol. TEM, XRD, EDX and measurements of magnetic properties of particles confirm 1) the conversion of hematite into iron and 2) their subsequent surface protection with a gold shell. Furthermore, the functionalization of the gold nanoparticle surface with a PEG carrying a fluorescent dye was unambiguously attested by confocal laser scanning microscopy.
Optimal functional-unit assignment and buffer placement for probabilistic pipelines

Applications, such as streaming applications, modeled by task graphs can be efficiently executed in a pipelined fashion. In synthesizing application-specific heterogeneous pipelined systems, where to place buffers (called buffer placement) and what type of functional units to execute each task (called functional assignment) are two critical problems. In reality, the execution time of each task may not be fixed, which makes the above two problems much more challenging. In this paper, we model the execution time of each task on different types of functional units as a random variable. Our objective is to obtain the optimal functional assignment and buffer placement, such that the resultant pipeline can satisfy the timing requirement with the minimum cost under the guaranteed confidence probability. This paper presents efficient algorithms to achieve the objective. Experiments show that other techniques cannot find any feasible solutions in many cases while ours can. Even for the cases where they can find feasible solutions, our algorithms achieve the minimum cost which gives a significant reduction on the total cost, compared with existing techniques.
Série Scientifique Scientific Series Estimating and Testing Exponential-affine Term Structure Models by Kalman Filter Estimating and Testing Exponential-affine Term Structure Models by Kalman Filter

Ce document est publié dans l'intention de rendre accessibles les résultats préliminaires de la recherche effectuée au CIRANO, afin de susciter des échanges et des suggestions. Les idées et les opinions émises sont sous l'unique responsabilité des auteurs, et ne représentent pas nécessairement les positions du CIRANO ou de ses partenaires. This paper presents preliminary research carried out at CIRANO and aims to encourage discussion and comment. The observations and viewpoints expressed are the sole responsibility of the authors. They do not necessarily represent positions of CIRANO or its partners. CIRANO Le CIRANO est une corporation privée à but non lucratif constituée en vertu de la Loi des compagnies du Québec. Le financement de son infrastructure et de ses activités de recherche provient des cotisations de ses organisations-membres, d'une subvention d'infrastructure du ministère de l'Industrie, du Commerce, de la Science et de la Technologie, de même que des subventions et mandats obtenus par ses équipes de recherche. La Série Scientifique est la réalisation d'une des missions que s'est données le CIRANO, soit de développer l'analyse scientifique des organisations et des comportements stratégiques. CIRANO is a private non-profit organization incorporated under the Québec Companies Act. Its infrastructure and research activities are funded through fees paid by member organizations, an infrastructure grant from the Ministère de l'Industrie, du Commerce, de la Science et de la Technologie, and grants and research mandates obtained by its research teams. The Scientific Series fulfils one of the missions of CIRANO: to develop the scientific analysis of organizations and strategic behaviour. Résumé / Abstract Cette recherche propose une approche unificatrice pour l'estimation des paramètres de modèles de structure de taux d'intérêt de la classe exponentielle-affine. Cette famille de modèles, caractérisée par Duffie et Kan (1993), contient entre autres les modèles de Vasicek (1977), Cox, Ingersoll et Ross (1985) et Chen et Scott (1992). La méthode proposée utilise un filtre de Kalman approximatif qui requiert la spécification de l'espérance et de la variance conditionnelle du système. La méthode utilise simultanément plusieurs séries de rendements et permet l'ajout d'erreurs de mesure pour chaque serie. Une étude de simulation indique que la méthode proposée est fiable pour des échantillons de taille modérée. Une étude empirique utilisant trois modèles différents de la classe exponentielle-affine est présentée. This paper proposes a unified state-space formulation for parameter estimation of exponential-affine term structure models. This class of models, charaterized by Duffie and Kan (1993), …
An approach for computing the exact stability domain for a class of LTI parameter dependent systems

In this paper, the complete stability domain for both single- and multi-parameter dependent LTI systems is synthesized by extending existing results in the literature. This domain is calculated through a guardian map which involves the determinant of the Kronecker sum of a matrix with itself. The single parameter case is easily computable, whereas the multi-parameter case is more involved. The determinant of the bialternate sum of a matrix with itself is also exploited to reduce the computational complexity of the results presented in this paper.
Notice of RetractionThe deduction and application of a rotational-modified anisotropic turbulence model

Based on the simplified format of the Reynolds stress equations, a fire-new rotational-modification method for the anisotropic turbulence model has been deduced and presented. How to make use of this new model has been discussed in detail. A three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code with this new rotational modified turbulence model and the standard k-ω turbulence model have been used for the prediction of flow and heat transfer characteristics in a rotating smooth square channel. The Reynolds number Re based on the inlet velocity of the cooling air and hydraulic diameter is 5000 and the Rossby number is 0.176 which is based on the inlet velocity and rotation speed. The calculations results of using three turbulence models have been compared with the experimental data. The results show that the numerical results of using the new rotational modified turbulence model with β=0.1 yield a better agreement with the experimental results than that of using the standard k-ω turbulence model.
Entanglement entropy and quantum field theory

We carry out a systematic study of entanglement entropy in relativistic quantum field theory. This is defined as the von Neumann entropy SA = −Tr ρAlogρA corresponding to the reduced density matrix ρA of a subsystem A. For the case of a 1+1-dimensional critical system, whose continuum limit is a conformal field theory with central charge c, we re-derive the result of Holzhey et al when A is a finite interval of length in an infinite system, and extend it to many other cases: finite systems, finite temperatures, and when A consists of an arbitrary number of disjoint intervals. For such a system away from its critical point, when the correlation length ξ is large but finite, we show that , where is the number of boundary points of A. These results are verified for a free massive field theory, which is also used to confirm a scaling ansatz for the case of finite size off-critical systems, and for integrable lattice models, such as the Ising and XXZ models, which are solvable by corner transfer matrix methods. Finally the free field results are extended to higher dimensions, and used to motivate a scaling form for the singular part of the entanglement entropy near a quantum phase transition.
The Influence of Power Sense on Cooperation: The Mediating Effect of Perceived Control and the Moderating Effect of Dominance Motivation

Cooperation runs through all aspects of our work, study and life and it is an important driving force for the development of our society. This article focuses on the influence of power sense on cooperation and tries to explore the inherent mechanism. We used questionnaire and laboratory experiment to explore the influence of power sense on cooperation and its psychological mechanism. There are three studies in this article, the results of our studies proved that: 1) The individual’s power sense is positively correlated with the tendency of cooperation; 2) power sense positively affects cooperation; 3) perceived control of individual plays an intermediary role between power and cooperation; 4) dominance motivation can effectively alleviate the effect of power sense on perceived control.
Myeloperoxidase modulates human platelet aggregation via actin cytoskeleton reorganization and store-operated calcium entry

Summary Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a heme-containing enzyme released from activated leukocytes into the extracellular space during inflammation. Its main function is the production of hypohalous acids that are potent oxidants. MPO can also modulate cell signaling and inflammatory responses independently of its enzymatic activity. Because MPO is regarded as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases associated with increased platelet activity, we studied the effects of MPO on human platelet functional properties. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to reveal carbohydrate-independent MPO binding to human platelet membrane. Adding MPO to platelets did not activate their aggregation under basal conditions (without agonist). In contrast, MPO augmented agonist-induced platelet aggregation, which was not prevented by MPO enzymatic activity inhibitors. It was found that exposure of platelets to MPO leads to actin cytoskeleton reorganization and an increase in their elasticity. Furthermore, MPO evoked a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ through enhancement of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Together, these findings indicate that MPO is not a direct agonist but rather a mediator that binds to human platelets, induces actin cytoskeleton reorganization and affects the mechanical stiffness of human platelets, resulting in potentiating SOCE and agonist-induced human platelet aggregation. Therefore, an increased activity of platelets in vascular disease can, at least partly, be provided by MPO elevated concentrations.
Increased risk of incident pancreatic cancer among first-degree relatives of patients with familial pancreatic cancer.

It has been estimated that familial aggregation and genetic susceptibility play a role in as many as 10% of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). The quantified prospective risk of PC among first-degree relatives of PC patients has not been investigated. Families enrolled in the National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry (NFPTR) prior to September 1, 1998 were followed to estimate the risk and incidence of PC among first-degree relatives of patients with PC. Analyses were performed separately on kindreds with at least two first-degree relatives with PC (familial pancreatic carcinoma (PC); n = 150) at the time the kindred was enrolled in the NFPTR and on kindreds without a pair of affected first-degree relatives (sporadic PC; n = 191). A subanalysis was performed on familial PC kindreds containing three or more affected members at the time of enrollment in the NFPTR (n = 52). Risk was estimated by comparing observed new cases of PC during the observation period with expected numbers based on the United States population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program data. Incidence was estimated using person-years risk analyses. During the observational period, six incident PCs developed in the first-degree relatives: two in the sporadic PC kindreds, and four in the familial PC kindreds. The PC risk in the sporadic PC kindreds was not significantly greater than expected [observed/expected = 6.5 (95% CI = 0.78-23.3)] with an incidence rate of 24.5/10(5)/ year. There was a significantly increased 18-fold risk (95% CI = 4.74-44.5) of PC among first-degree relatives in familial PC kindreds, with an incidence of 76.0/10(5)/year. In the subset of familial PC kindreds with three or more affected family members at the time of enrollment, there was a 57-fold (95% CI = 12.4-175) increased risk of PC and an incidence of 301.4/10(5)/year compared with the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result age-adjusted incidence of PC in the U.S. (8.8/10(5)/year). When stratified by age, the risk was largely confined to relatives over the age of 60. This study is the first analysis of incident PC occurring in familial PC kindreds. The risk and incidence of PC is exceptionally high among at-risk first-degree relatives in familial PC kindreds in which at least three first-degree relatives have already been diagnosed with PC. Familial PC kindreds are a reasonable high-risk group for PC screening and chemoprevention research.
Probabilistic Temporal Interval Networks : Extended Version

A Probabilistic Temporal Interval Network is a constraint satisfaction problem where the nodes are temporal intervals and the edges are uncertain interval relations. We attach a probability to each of Allen’s basic interval relations. An uncertain relation between two temporal intervals is represented as a disjunction of Allen’s probabilistic basic relations. Using the operations of inversion, composition, and addition, defined for this probabilistic representation, we propose a path consistency algorithm and an approach to finding consistent scenarios using a backtracking algorithm. We also discuss heuristic methods for optimizing the performance of the backtracking algorithm. Finally, we show how to estimate the probability of a consistent scenario.
Political Depolarization in German Public Opinion, 1980–2010*

Little is known about political polarization in German public opinion. This article offers an issue-based perspective and explores trends of opinion polarization in Germany. Public opinion polarization is conceptualized and measured as alignment of attitudes. Data from the German General Social Survey (1980 to 2010) comprise attitudes towards manifold issues, which are classified into several dimensions. This study estimates multilevel models that reveal general and issue- as well as dimension-specific levels and trends in attitude alignment for both the whole German population and sub-groups. It finds that public opinion polarization has decreased over the last three decades in Germany. In particular, highly educated and more politically interested people have become less polarized over time. However, polarization seems to have increased in attitudes regarding gender issues. These findings provide interesting contrasts to existing research on the American public.
A comparison of student teacher learning from practice in university-affiliated schools in Helsinki and Johannesburg

ABSTRACT In a comparative study of student teachers in Finland and South Africa, the researchers aimed to capture students’ views of how and what they had learned from practice in two university-affiliated primary schools. With data from survey questionnaires, we found that students in the two customized programmes accentuated different domains of teacher knowledge. The newly established teaching practice school in Johannesburg afforded closer integration of university and school practicum experiences for students than the well-established school in Helsinki. The authors conclude that an innovative teacher education model can be re-invented in a significantly different context and also add new dimensions to the original.
Crustal deformation and AE monitoring: annual variation and stress-soliton propagation

Abstract. The stress propagation through the crust can be effectively monitored by means of acoustic mission ( AE ) techniques (ultrasounds). The \textit{AE} intensity is indicative of the amount of stress that affects some lithospheric and/or crustal slab of some (ultimately unknown) scale size. In principle, such scale size can be different in different areas, as it depends on their respective tectonic setting, by which a variety of prime causes ought to be considered: every cause can eventually prevail over others. Two basic phenomena are here reported. If the crust behaves like a comparatively ideal elastic body, an annual variation is observed, which appears in-phase and correlated, when comparing AE records collected at the Italian site and on the Cephallonia Island. It seems being astronomically modulated, hence it should display a planetary scale. One likely explanation is in terms of the loading tide. Such interpretation can be confirmed by some additional modelling and analysis upon considering the motion of the Sun and of the Moon. A second observed effect refers to the case in which the crust feels the effect of the fatigue that reduces its elastic performance. The phenomenon can be described in terms of stress solitons that cross the area being monitored. They can be unambiguously recognised, and the possibility is therefore envisaged of eventually using them for measuring the propagation speed of stress through the crust over continental or planetary scales. The residuals, with respect to such regularly recognisable effects, of the recorded AE signals are to be investigated in a few subsequent analyses (in progress), as they appear to contain additional relevant physical information, still being much different from any simple random noise. A final recommendation ought therefore to be stressed, for setting up some array of at least a few AE recording stations to be simultaneously operated over some continental scale area and for a few years at least. Their potential applications still appear much promising and to be still focused in their complete, specific, operative and physical details and interpretation.
Stability of traveling waves: dichotomies and eigenvalue conditions on finite intervals

If a traveling wave is stable or unstable depends essentially on the spectrum of a differential operator P obtained by linearization. We investigate how spectral properties of the all-line operator P are related to eigenvalues of finite-interval . Here R is a. linear boundary operator, for which we will derive determinant conditions, and the x-interval is assumed to be sufficiently large. Under suitable assumptions, we show (a) resolvent estimates for large s; (b) if s is in the resolvent of the all-line operator P, then s is also in the resolvent for finite-interval BVPs; (c) eigenvalues of P lead to approximating eigenvalues on finite intervals. These results allow to study the stability question for traveling waves by investigating eigenvalues of finite-interval problems. We give applications to the FitzHugh-Nagumo system with small diffusion and to the complex Ginzburg-Landau equations.
Monokinetic charged particle beams: qualitative behavior of the solutions of the cauchy problem and 2d time-periodic solutions of the vlasov-poisson system

Let (f,U) be a solution of the 2d Vlasov-Poisson system for charged particles f=f(t,x,v) is the distribution function, defined on the phase space (x represents the position and v the velocity of the particles) and U=U(t,x) is the self-consistent potential given by the Poisson equation. Uo is an external potential which depends only on |x|
Performance analysis for matrix completion via iterative hard-thresholded SVD

The matrix completion problem addresses the recovery of a low-rank matrix from a subset of its entries. In this paper, we analyze rank-r matrix completion algorithm based on the rank-r singular value decomposition (SVD). We introduce the doubly-restricted contraction constant (DRCC), a characteristic of a matrix, which predicts the feasibility of matrix recovery from a subset of its entries. We establish results regarding the convergence rate of the algorithm using the DRCC. Numerical experiments indicate that the DRCC accurately predicts the recovery of a matrix from a subset of its entries.
Sex-Specific Programming of Offspring Emotionality after Stress Early in Pregnancy

Prenatal stress is associated with an increased vulnerability to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. To determine the critical time window when fetal antecedents may induce a disease predisposition, we examined behavioral responses in offspring exposed to stress during early, mid, and late gestation. We found that male offspring exposed to stress early in gestation displayed maladaptive behavioral stress responsivity, anhedonia, and an increased sensitivity to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment. Long-term alterations in central corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression, as well as increased hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis responsivity, were present in these mice and likely contributed to an elevated stress sensitivity. Changes in CRF and GR gene methylation correlated with altered gene expression, providing important evidence of epigenetic programming during early prenatal stress. In addition, we found the core mechanism underlying male vulnerability may involve sex-specific placenta responsivity, where stress early in pregnancy significantly increased expression of PPARα (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α), IGFBP-1 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1), HIF3α (hypoxia-inducible factor 3a), and GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4) in male placentas but not females. Examination of placental epigenetic machinery revealed basal sex differences, providing further evidence that sex-specific programming begins very early in pregnancy, and may contribute to the timing and vulnerability of the developing fetus to maternal perturbations. Overall, these results indicate that stress experience early in pregnancy may contribute to male neurodevelopmental disorders through impacts on placental function and fetal development.