Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Learning Sparsely Used Dictionaries from Incomplete Samples

Most existing algorithms for dictionary learning assume that all entries of the (high-dimensional) input data are fully observed. However, in several practical applications (such as hyper-spectral imaging or blood glucose monitoring), only an incomplete fraction of the data entries may be available. For incomplete settings, no provably correct and polynomial-time algorithm has been reported in the dictionary learning literature. In this paper, we provide provable approaches for learning - from incomplete samples - a family of dictionaries whose atoms have sufficiently "spread-out" mass. First, we propose a descent-style iterative algorithm that linearly converges to the true dictionary when provided a sufficiently coarse initial estimate. Second, we propose an initialization algorithm that utilizes a small number of extra fully observed samples to produce such a coarse initial estimate. Finally, we theoretically analyze their performance and provide asymptotic statistical and computational guarantees.
Reprogramming of Mouse Calvarial Osteoblasts into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of reprogramming endochondral bone into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, but whether similar phenomenon occurs in intramembranous bone remains to be determined. Here we adopted fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based strategy to isolate homogenous population of intramembranous calvarial osteoblasts from newborn transgenic mice carrying both Osx1-GFP::Cre and Oct4-EGFP transgenes. Following retroviral transduction of Yamanaka factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc), enriched population of osteoblasts underwent silencing of Osx1-GFP::Cre expression at early stage of reprogramming followed by late activation of Oct4-EGFP expression in the resulting iPS cells. These osteoblast-derived iPS cells exhibited gene expression profiles akin to embryonic stem cells and were pluripotent as demonstrated by their ability to form teratomas comprising tissues from all germ layers and also contribute to tail tissue in chimera embryos. These data demonstrate that iPS cells can be generated from intramembranous osteoblasts.
Plantar fasciitis

MEDIA CONTENTS PLANTAR FASCIITIS: OVERVIEW Chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP) is pain under the front of the heel bone (calcaneus). It is said to account for about 1% of all orthopaedic referrals, and occurs in up to 7% of the adult population in general. In runners, the incidence is slightly higher with 8–10% affected (1,2). Functionally, the plantar fascia (PF) acts as an important mechanical link between the rearfoot and forefoot. At heel contact, the curved surface of the calcaneus acts as a rocker or roll over shape (3) to help facilitate forward body motion. Similarly, the body weight rolls over the curved ankle (talocrural) joint mortise and ball of the foot [1st metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint], the combined motion of the three body parts being described as the 3-rocker system (4). As the body weight moves forwards, the foot acts as a mobile adaptor flattening both the longitudinal and transverse arches to absorb load through tissue extensibility. Further forward motion of the body sees the foot change to a rigid lever to prepare for the propulsive phase of gait and toe off. The change from tissue lengthening (adaptor) to tissue tension (lever) comes about as a result of the windlass effect where the PF is wound up around the 1st MTP joint as the heel lifts and the foot moves into plantarflexion. Tension is seen in both the PF and Achilles tendon, which effectively transmits the contractile force created by the calf musculature. As the fascia tightens through the windlass effect, it shortens the foot by raising the longitudinal arch (Fig. 1). The combination of these effects supinates the foot (high arch) making it more rigid to push from the ground. As the foot contacts the ground again at heel strike, the arch lowers and the foot pronates (flat arch) becoming more mobile to adapt to the uneven ground. The plantar fascia is relaxed as the foot lengthens, to accommodate to the surface. The functional linkage between the PF and posterior leg structures is paralleled by pathology. A positive association between Achilles tendon loading and PF tension has been demonstrated, and chronic stretching and tightness of the Achilles tendon are risk factors for plantar fasciitis (5). Greater tightness in posterior leg muscles is also seen in plantar fasciitis patients (6).
A critical evaluation of expert survey‐based journal rankings: The role of personal research interests

By using the data from two recent survey‐based rankings of knowledge management / intellectual capital and eHealth journals, this study tests the impact of personal research interests of journal raters on their ranking scores. The rationale is that raters assign higher scores to journals that cater to their area of expertise because they are more familiar with them. The results indicate the existence of raters’ bias toward the journals focusing on their preferred areas of interest, but this bias does not uniformly apply across all research topics. In some subdomains, such as intellectual capital, this bias may be very strong, whereas in others, such as soft‐side knowledge management research, it may be nonexistent. Although management eHealth researchers rate management‐focused journals higher than their clinical‐centered counterparts, this bias does not exist among scholars favoring clinical topics. While this limitation is not fatal, the results from expert‐survey journal ranking studies should be interpreted with caution.
Underwater treadmill exercise as a potential treatment for adults with osteoarthritis

This study examined the acute effects of underwater and land treadmill exercise on oxygen consumption (VO 2 ), perceived pain, and mobility. Nineteen participants diagnosed with osteoarthritis performed three consecutive exercise sessions for each mode of exercise. VO 2 and perceived pain were recorded during each exercise session and Timed Up & Go (TUG) scores were measured before and after each intervention. VO 2 values were not different between conditions during moderate intensities, but were 37% greater during low intensity exercise on land than in water (p = .001). Perceived pain and TUG scores were 140% and 240% greater, respectively, for land than underwater treadmill exercise (p = .01). Patients diagnosed with OA may walk on an underwater treadmill at a moderate intensity with less pain and equivalent energy expenditures compared with walking on a land based treadmill. Unexpectedly, OA patients displayed greater mobility after underwater than land treadmill exercise when assessed with the TUG. An estimated 15% of Americans have some form of arthritis with osteoarthritis being the most common form (Lawrence et al., 2008). Osteoarthritis (OA) begins when joint cartilage breaks down, sometimes leaving a bone-on-bone joint. The joint then loses shape and bony growths develop. This degenerative process causes symptoms of pain and stiffness leading to difficulty in mobility, for example, when rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and walking. Generally, OA is an incurable disease with few effective treatments (Nieman, 2007). Physical therapy treatment for OA patients aims at reducing pain and improving muscle strength, balance and joint coordination, and joint range of motion (Hurley, 2003). Physical therapy on land is a common treatment for OA; however, in recent years more attention has been devoted to evaluating the effectiveness of aquatic therapy. Research indicates there are many potential benefits of aquatic physical therapy compared with land-based therapy. For example, Hinman, Heywood, and Day (2007) noted that aquatic exercise may assist in pain relief, swelling reduction, and ease of movement due to the pressure and warmth of water. Hinman et al. also noted that patients with OA may be able to perform exercises that are too difficult on land because buoyancy may reduce pain across the affected joints. Some have argued the effects of water resistance make it possible to expend greater amounts
The impact of bariatric surgery on esophageal function

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic. There is increasing evidence that obesity is associated with benign gastroesophageal disease, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal dysmotility. Bariatric surgery—including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band placement—can effectively result in weight loss and control of obesity‐related conditions, including GERD. However, there is increasing evidence that bariatric surgery itself can have a deleterious effect on esophageal function. In this review, we address the effect of obesity and bariatric surgery on esophageal dysfunction.
Effect of spatial distribution of T-Cells and HIV load on HIV progression

MOTIVATION We present a spatial-temporal (ST) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) simulation model to investigate the spatial distribution of viral load and T-cells during HIV progression. The proposed model uses the Finite Element (FE) method to divide a considered infected region into interconnected subregions each containing viral population and T-cells. HIV T-cells and viral load are traced and counted within and between subregions to estimate their effect upon neighboring regions. The objective is to estimate overall ST changes of HIV progression and to study the ST therapeutic effect upon HIV dynamics in spatial and temporal domains. We introduce sub-regional (spatial) parameters of T-cells and viral load production and elimination to estimate the spatial propagation and interaction of HIV dynamics under the influence of a 3TC D4T Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (RTI) drug regimen. RESULTS In terms of percentage change standard deviation, we show that the average rate per 10 weeks (throughout a 10-year clinical trial) of the ST CD4+ change is 5.35% 1.3 different than that of the CD4+ rate of change in laboratory datasets, and the average rate of change of the ST CD8+ is 4.98% 1.93 different than that of the CD8+ rate of change. The half-life of the ST CD4+ count is 1.68% 3.381 different than the actual half-life of the CD4+ count obtained from laboratory datasets. The distribution of the viral load and T-cells in a considered region tends to cluster during the HIV progression once a threshold of 86-89% viral accumulation is reached. AVAILABILITY Executable code and data libraries are available by contacting the corresponding author. IMPLEMENTATION C++ and Java have been used to simulate the suggested model. A Pentium III or higher platform is recommended.
Demand-Weighted Completeness Prediction for a Knowledge Base

In this paper we introduce the notion of Demand-Weighted Completeness, allowing estimation of the completeness of a knowledge base with respect to how it is used. Defining an entity by its classes, we employ usage data to predict the distribution over relations for that entity. For example, instances of person in a knowledge base may require a birth date, name and nationality to be considered complete. These predicted relation distributions enable detection of important gaps in the knowledge base, and define the required facts for unseen entities. Such characterisation of the knowledge base can also quantify how usage and completeness change over time. We demonstrate a method to measure Demand-Weighted Completeness, and show that a simple neural network model performs well at this prediction task.
Optimizing gas networks using adjoint gradients

An increasing amount of gas-fired power plants are currently being installed in modern power grids worldwide. This is due to their low cost and the inherent flexibility offered to the electrical network, particularly in the face of increasing renewable generation. However, the integration and operation of gas generators poses additional challenges to gas network operators, mainly because they can induce rapid changes in the demand. This paper presents an efficient minimization scheme of gas compression costs under dynamic conditions where deliveries to customers are described by time-dependent mass flows. The optimization scheme is comprised of a set of transient nonlinear partial differential equations that model the isothermal gas flow in pipes, an adjoint problem for efficient calculation of the objective gradients and constraint Jacobians, and state-of-the-art optimal control methods for solving nonlinear programs. As the evaluation of constraint Jacobians can become computationally costly as the number of constraints increases, efficient constraint lumping schemes are proposed and investigated with respect to accuracy and performance. The resulting optimal control problems are solved using both interior-point and sequential quadratic programming methods. The proposed optimization framework is validated through several benchmark cases of increasing complexity.
Genetic Variants Within MTORC1 Genes Predict Gastric Cancer Prognosis in Chinese Populations

Objective: Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) plays an important role in maintaining proper cellular functions in gastric cancer (GC). Previous studies demonstrated genetic variants within mTORC1 genes were associated with GC risk. However, no studies reported the associations between genetic variants within mTORC1 genes and GC prognosis. Herein, we firstly assessed the associations of genetic variants of mTORC1 genes with overall survival (OS) of GC in Chinese populations. Methods: We genotyped eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mTORC1 genes (i.e., rs2536 T>C and rs1883965 G>A for mTOR, rs3160 T>C and rs26865 A>G for MLST8, rs3751934 C>A, rs1062935 T>C, rs3751932 T>C and rs12602885 G>A for RPTOR) by the TaqMan method in 197 Chinese GC patients who had surgical resection in Xinhua Hospital. We conducted Kaplan-Meier survival plots and Cox hazards regression analysis to explore the associations of these SNPs with OS. Results: The single-locus analysis indicated that RPTOR rs1062935 T>C was associated with an increased risk of poor GC prognosis (CC vs. TT/TC: adjusted Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-2.82). The combined analysis of all eight SNPs showed that patients with more than three risk genotypes significantly increased risk of death (adjusted HR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.30-4.58), when compared to those with three or less risk genotypes. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that genetic variants within mTORC1 genes may predict GC prognosis in Chinese populations. The results need to be validated in future studies with larger sample sizes.
Pedagogical leadership in action: two case studies in English schools

Abstract This paper explores the construct of pedagogical leadership in action in two case-study schools in England. Both schools investigated had headteachers who were recognized as excellent practitioners who had led their schools from a failing position to being judged as ‘outstanding’ and had successfully sustained and extended this status. Their behaviours thus corresponded to the ideals of pedagogical leadership which had been developed in the previous research by the authors. This approach is an extension of ideas pertaining to learner-centred leadership where the key focus is on the personalization of education for the benefit of the learner. Pedagogical leaders take this further, however, and ensure they are equally responsible to the local community and the larger education system when determining appropriate action to support learning in their schools. The research reported here is based on interviews conducted with members of the school community (including students) to establish to how these pedagogical leaders determine effective action. The examination of data identifies six categories of leadership activity which contribute to the continued growth of these schools: establishing a success culture, managing external expectations, selection and induction of staff, managing a robust supportive environment, sustaining effective internal relationships and headteacher leadership behaviour.
Ion channels in EEG: isolating channel dysfunction in NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis

See Roberts and Breakspear (doi:10.1093/brain/awy136) for a scientific commentary on this article. Patients with anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis display diverse early symptoms and no clear imaging marker of the disease is currently available. Symmonds et al. report that using EEG alone, it is possible to identify the common underlying abnormality in NMDA receptor function, facilitating early diagnosis and potentially improving patient outcomes.
Kava in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract Kava (Piper methysticum) is a plant-based medicine, which has been previously shown to reduce anxiety. To date, however, no placebo-controlled trial assessing kava in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has been completed. A total of 75 participants with GAD and no comorbid mood disorder were enrolled in a 6-week double-blind trial of an aqueous extract of kava (120/240 mg of kavalactones per day depending on response) versus placebo. &ggr;-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and noradrenaline transporter polymorphisms were also analyzed as potential pharmacogenetic markers of response. Reduction in anxiety was measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) as the primary outcome. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed on 58 participants who met inclusion criteria after an initial 1 week placebo run-in phase. Results revealed a significant reduction in anxiety for the kava group compared with the placebo group with a moderate effect size (P = 0.046, Cohen d = 0.62). Among participants with moderate to severe Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–diagnosed GAD, this effect was larger (P = 0.02; d = 0.82). At conclusion of the controlled phase, 26% of the kava group were classified as remitted (HAMA ⩽ 7) compared with 6% of the placebo group (P = 0.04). Within the kava group, GABA transporter polymorphisms rs2601126 (P = 0.021) and rs2697153 (P = 0.046) were associated with HAMA reduction. Kava was well tolerated, and aside from more headaches reported in the kava group (P = 0.05), no other significant differences between groups occurred for any other adverse effects, nor for liver function tests. Standardized kava may be a moderately effective short-term option for the treatment of GAD. Furthermore, specific GABA transporter polymorphisms appear to potentially modify anxiolytic response to kava.
Dynamics of Aspen Roots Colonization by Pseudomonads Reveals Strain-Specific and Mycorrhizal-Specific Patterns of Biofilm Formation

Rhizosphere-associated Pseudomonas fluorescens are known plant growth promoting (PGP) and mycorrhizal helper bacteria (MHB) of many plants and ectomycorrhizal fungi. We investigated the spatial and temporal dynamics of colonization of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Aspen seedlings roots by the P. fluorescens strains SBW25, WH6, Pf0-1, and the P. protegens strain Pf-5. Seedlings were grown in laboratory vertical plates systems, inoculated with a fluorescently labeled Pseudomonas strain, and root colonization was monitored over a period of 5 weeks. We observed unexpected diversity of bacterial assemblies on seedling roots that changed over time and were strongly affected by root mycorrhization. P. fluorescens SBW25 and WH6 stains developed highly structured biofilms with internal void spaces forming channels. On mycorrhizal roots bacteria appeared encased in a mucilaginous substance in which they aligned side by side in parallel arrangements. The different phenotypic classes of bacterial assemblies observed for the four Pseudomonas strains were summarized in a single model describing transitions between phenotypic classes. Our findings also reveal that bacterial assembly phenotypes are driven by interactions with mucilaginous materials present at roots.
Robust Local Graph Structure for Texture Classification

Local Binary Pattern (LBP) is one of the most popular operators in computer vision and digital image processing due to its simplicity and unique property of capturing local features. Yet, the local binary pattern operator has some drawbacks such as sensitivity to noise and illumination changes and this because of the thresholding process. Recently, Local Graph Structure (LGS) is proposed as an alternative solution to (LBP) to overcome the thresholding process by encoding the pattern based on the relationship of the pixels that form the local graph. In addition, (LGS) is investigated in many areas such as face recognition, spoofing and plant identification. Hence, in this paper we extend the idea of (LGS) and propose a new operator called Robust Local Graph Structure (RLGS) which utilizes the standard deviation of the local graph to capture more spatial information. Finally, the reported experiments results on (UIUC) texture database showed a significant increase in the performance with compare to other texture operators.
Behavior of several potato varieties with different starch content to potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease.

The goal of this research was to evaluate the behavior of 10 potato varieties (with different starch content) after mechanical inoculation with a PVY isolate. Excepting the varieties Christian, Riviera and Bellarosa, which were very resistent and resistent to this pathogen, all the other varieties presented 62.5-100% infected plants. After 5 months from harvesting, the frequency of tubers with necrotic symptoms was between 2.227. 4% for varieties Bellarosa, Jelly, Roclas and 62.6-97.8% for Desiree, Productiv, Red Lady, Carrera and Hermes. The tubers from samples with significantly higher starch content (varieties Riviera and Christian), after harvest and storage, didn’t have visible tuber necrotic disease symptoms.
ACTN3 Genotype in Professional Sport Climbers

Abstract Ginszt, M, Michalak-Wojnowska, M, Gawda, P, Wojcierowska-Litwin, M, Korszeń-Pilecka, I, Kusztelak, M, Muda, R, Filip, AA, and Majcher, P. ACTN3 genotype in professional sport climbers. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1311–1315, 2018—The functional RR genotype of the alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene has been reported to be associated with elite sprint/power athlete status. Although large and rapidly increasing number of studies have investigated the associations between the ACTN3 genotypes and athletic performance in various sport disciplines, there is a lack of studies on the genetic predisposition in sport climbing, which was selected to be part of the next Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 with three subdisciplines (“lead climbing,” “speed climbing,” and “bouldering”). The aim of the study is to determine the frequency distribution of ACTN3 genotypes and alleles in professional lead climbers and boulderers. 100 professional sport climbers from Poland, Russia, and Austria were divided into 2 equal groups: professional boulderers and professional lead climbers were involved in the study. ACTN3 allele frequencies and genotypes were compared with 100 sedentary controls. Genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The percent distribution of RR genotype in the boulderers was significantly higher than in lead climbers and controls (62 vs. 26%; 33%, respectively; &khgr;2 = 17.230, p = 0.0017). The frequencies of ACTN3 R allele in boulderers differed significantly from lead climbers and controls (77 vs. 51%; 58%, respectively; &khgr;2 = 15.721, p = 0.0004). The proportion of the ACTN3 RR genotype is significantly higher in boulderers than in lead climbers and may be related to the specific type of predisposition to this subdiscipline.