Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nuclear norm penalization and optimal rates for noisy low rank matrix completion

This paper deals with the trace regression model where $n$ entries or linear combinations of entries of an unknown $m_1\times m_2$ matrix $A_0$ corrupted by noise are observed. We propose a new nuclear norm penalized estimator of $A_0$ and establish a general sharp oracle inequality for this estimator for arbitrary values of $n,m_1,m_2$ under the condition of isometry in expectation. Then this method is applied to the matrix completion problem. In this case, the estimator admits a simple explicit form and we prove that it satisfies oracle inequalities with faster rates of convergence than in the previous works. They are valid, in particular, in the high-dimensional setting $m_1m_2\gg n$. We show that the obtained rates are optimal up to logarithmic factors in a minimax sense and also derive, for any fixed matrix $A_0$, a non-minimax lower bound on the rate of convergence of our estimator, which coincides with the upper bound up to a constant factor. Finally, we show that our procedure provides an exact recovery of the rank of $A_0$ with probability close to 1. We also discuss the statistical learning setting where there is no underlying model determined by $A_0$ and the aim is to find the best trace regression model approximating the data.
An Introduction to Random Indexing

Word space models enjoy considerable attention in current research on semantic indexing. Most notably, Latent Semantic Analysis/Indexing (LSA/LSI; Deerwester et al., 1990, Landauer & Dumais, 1997) has become a household name in information access research, and deservedly so; LSA has proven its mettle in numerous applications, and has more or less spawned an entire research field since its introduction around 1990. Today, there is a rich flora of word space models available, and there are numerous publications that report exceptional results in many different applications, including information retrieval (Dumais et al., 1988), word sense disambiguation (Schutze, 1993), various semantic knowledge tests (Lund et al., 1995, Karlgren & Sahlgren, 2001), and text categorization (Sahlgren & Karlgren, 2004). This paper introduces the Random Indexing word space approach, which presents an efficient, scalable and incremental alternative to standard word space methods. The paper is organized as follows: in the next section, we review the basic word space methodology. We then look at some of the problems that are inherent in the basic methodology, and also review some of the solutions that have been proposed in the literature. In the final section, we introduce the Random Indexing word space approach, and briefly review some of the experimental results that have been achieved with Random Indexing.
Transcriptional Bursting Explains the Noise–Versus–Mean Relationship in mRNA and Protein Levels

Recent analysis demonstrates that the HIV-1 Long Terminal Repeat (HIV LTR) promoter exhibits a range of possible transcriptional burst sizes and frequencies for any mean-expression level. However, these results have also been interpreted as demonstrating that cell-to-cell expression variability (noise) and mean are uncorrelated, a significant deviation from previous results. Here, we re-examine the available mRNA and protein abundance data for the HIV LTR and find that noise in mRNA and protein expression scales inversely with the mean along analytically predicted transcriptional burst-size manifolds. We then experimentally perturb transcriptional activity to test a prediction of the multiple burst-size model: that increasing burst frequency will cause mRNA noise to decrease along given burst-size lines as mRNA levels increase. The data show that mRNA and protein noise decrease as mean expression increases, supporting the canonical inverse correlation between noise and mean.
Spine Formation Pattern of Adult-Born Neurons Is Differentially Modulated by the Induction Timing and Location of Hippocampal Plasticity

In the adult hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG), newly born neurons are functionally integrated into existing circuits and play important roles in hippocampus-dependent memory. However, it remains unclear how neural plasticity regulates the integration pattern of new neurons into preexisting circuits. Because dendritic spines are major postsynaptic sites for excitatory inputs, spines of new neurons were visualized by retrovirus-mediated labeling to evaluate integration. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced at 12, 16, or 21 days postinfection (dpi), at which time new neurons have no, few, or many spines, respectively. The spine expression patterns were investigated at one or two weeks after LTP induction. Induction at 12 dpi increased later spinogenesis, although the new neurons at 12 dpi didn’t respond to the stimulus for LTP induction. Induction at 21 dpi transiently mediated spine enlargement. Surprisingly, LTP induction at 16 dpi reduced the spine density of new neurons. All LTP-mediated changes specifically appeared within the LTP–induced layer. Therefore, neural plasticity differentially regulates the integration of new neurons into the activated circuit, dependent on their developmental stage. Consequently, new neurons at different developmental stages may play distinct roles in processing the acquired information by modulating the connectivity of activated circuits via their integration.
Psychophysical calibration of whole-body vibration in the display of impact events in auditory and haptic virtual environments

Multimodal perception in an auditory and haptic virtual environment was psychophysically investigated in order to refine simulation of virtual events for which whole-body vibration could be reproduced in coordination with highly realistic virtual acoustical reproduction. The purpose of the study reported here was to determine the range of optimum intermodal delay values for coordinated auditory and haptic reproduction of brief impact events. Indirect psychophysical methods were used to find the intermodal delay that would be most likely to generate the response of perceived synchrony between acoustic and structural vibration components of those events. A recording of a representative impact sound was processed to create virtual events with varying amounts of intermodal delay between bimodally reproduced components. Obtained psychophysical calibration results are limited to whole-body haptic stimulation, and should not be expected to apply to local haptic stimulation, such as a vibratory stimulus presented to a finger tip.
Introduction to an integrated design for motion systems using over-actuation

In this paper an introduction and motivation is given towards an integrated design approach for motion systems using overactuation. Looking to motion systems and their history, the current status of mechatronic motion systems is discussed. One of the main aspects that limit performance in mechanical systems is the presence of vibrations. An overview is presented of several passive and active methods to solve vibration problems. Active vibration control can be regarded as a form of overactuation to improve system performance. It is expected that an integrated overactuated design approach will be advantageous over traditional vibration control solutions, which often make use of adaptations after the mechanical design has been completed. Before a framework for an integrated design approach can be posed, different strategies of overactuation must be investigated. To study the closed-loop characteristics of resonances in mechanical systems with more actuators more closely, some first explorations of a dual-input single-output motion system are made.
Relativistic distortions in the X‐ray spectrum of Cyg X‐1

ABSTRA C T We present the first significant detection of relativistic smearing of the X-ray reflection spectrum from the putative accretion disc in the low/hard state of Cyg X-1. The ionization state and the amount of relativistic smearing are simultaneously constrained by the X-ray spectra, and we conclude that the disc is not strongly ionized, does not generally extend down to the last stable orbit at 3 Schwarzschild radii, and covers rather less than half the sky as seen from the Xray source. These results are consistent with a geometry where the optically thick disc truncates at a few tens of Schwarzschild radii, with the inner region occupied by the X-ray-hot, optically thin(nish) plasma. Such a geometry is also inferred from previous studies of the reflected spectrum in Galactic black hole transient sources, and from detailed considerations of the overall continuum spectral shape, suggesting that this is a robust feature of low/hard state accretion on to Galactic black holes.
Technical validation of an autoantibody test for lung cancer

Background: Publications on autoantibodies to tumour-associated antigens (TAAs) have failed to show either calibration or reproducibility data. The validation of a panel of six TAAs to which autoantibodies have been described is reported here. Materials and methods: Three separate groups of patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer were identified, along with control individuals, and their samples used to validate an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Precision, linearity, assay reproducibility and antigen batch reproducibility were all assessed. Results: For between-replicate error, samples with higher signals gave coefficients of variation (CVs) in the range 7%–15%. CVs for between-plate variation were only 1%–2% higher. For between-run error, CVs were in the range 15%–28%. In linearity studies, the slope was close to 1.0 and correlation coefficient values were generally >0.8. The sensitivity and specificity of individual batches of antigen varied slightly between groups of patients; however, the sensitivity and specificity of the panel of antigens as a whole remained constant. The validity of the calibration system was demonstrated. Conclusions: A calibrated six-panel assay of TAAs has been validated for identifying nearly 40% of primary lung cancers via a peripheral blood test. Levels of reproducibility, precision and linearity would be acceptable for an assay used in a regulated clinical setting.
Telomere length reveals cumulative individual and transgenerational inbreeding effects in a passerine bird

Inbreeding results in more homozygous offspring that should suffer reduced fitness, but it can be difficult to quantify these costs for several reasons. First, inbreeding depression may vary with ecological or physiological stress and only be detectable over long time periods. Second, parental homozygosity may indirectly affect offspring fitness, thus confounding analyses that consider offspring homozygosity alone. Finally, measurement of inbreeding coefficients, survival and reproductive success may often be too crude to detect inbreeding costs in wild populations. Telomere length provides a more precise measure of somatic costs, predicts survival in many species and should reflect differences in somatic condition that result from varying ability to cope with environmental stressors. We studied relative telomere length in a wild population of Seychelles warblers (Acrocephalus sechellensis) to assess the lifelong relationship between individual homozygosity, which reflects genome‐wide inbreeding in this species, and telomere length. In juveniles, individual homozygosity was negatively associated with telomere length in poor seasons. In adults, individual homozygosity was consistently negatively related to telomere length, suggesting the accumulation of inbreeding depression during life. Maternal homozygosity also negatively predicted offspring telomere length. Our results show that somatic inbreeding costs are environmentally dependent at certain life stages but may accumulate throughout life.
An object segmentation method based on saliency map and spectral clustering

Image segmentation is an important research topic in the field of computer vision. Spectral Clustering (SC) algorithm is one of the most popular used clustering methods for image segmentation. However, the cluster number must be estimated by expertise users to be determined. This limits its application in image segmentation. In this paper, we proposed an image segmentation method based on saliency map and spectral clustering algorithm (SC) that includes the initialization and determination of the number of cluster k. Quantitative and qualitative experimental evaluation on MSRA-1000 public image dataset depicts the promising results from the proposed method by outperforming four state of the art image segmentation methods.
The Effects of a 10-Week Water Aerobic Exercise on the Resting Blood Pressure in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Purpose To investigate the effects of a 10-week water aerobic exercise on the resting blood pressure in patients with stage 1 or 2 hypertension referring to Tehran University Clinics. Methods Forty men with stage 1 or 2 essential hypertension were assigned to two groups of intervention [n = 12; aged 48.33±10.74 years (mean±SD)] and control [n = 28; aged 46.96±11.58 years (mean±SD)]. Subjects in the intervention group participated in a supervised 10-week water aerobic training program of 55 min sessions, 3 days per week on alternate days, while those in the control group were not involved in any regular training program during this period. Blood pressure of the participants was recorded and compared at the beginning and at the end of the study (48 hours after the last training session). Results Exercise lowered systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure by 11.71 (95% confidence interval: 5.07 to 18.35) and 5.90 (95% confidence interval: 1.17 to 10.63) mm Hg respectively. The lowering effect of exercise on diastolic blood pressure was neither statistically significant nor clinically important (0.55 mm Hg; P. value = 0.8). There was no significant effect of age, baseline body mass index and stage of hypertension on the exercise-induced changes in blood pressure. Conclusion A 10-week course of water aerobic exercise markedly reduced the systolic and mean arterial blood pressure of patients with essential hypertension and is especially recommended for the obese and the elderly who have orthopedic problems or bronchospasm.
The experience economy approach to festival marketing: Vivid memory and attendee loyalty

Purpose - A desirable experiential environment is an essential source of competitive advantage in the festival industry. Understanding festival attendees' experience is imperative for festival organizers because attendees' experience is a predictor of their future behavior. With the experience economy concept of Pine and Gilmore (1998), the study identified four underlying dimensions of festival attendees' experience (education, entertainment, esthetics, and escapism) and examined the impacts of these experience dimensions on festival attendees' vividity of memory and loyalty. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected from online surveys completed by 338 attendees of VEISHEA festival. This study employed confirmatory factor analysis, regression analysis, and structural equation modeling to achieve its goals. Findings - Experience has a positive effect on vivid memory, which consequently influences loyalty. Each dimension of experience economy significantly influences vividity of memory. However loyalty is affected only by the entertainment and esthetics dimensions. Practical implications -Festival marketers are advised to design activities that provide memorable experiential products and services for attendees based on the four dimensions of the experience economy. Originality/Value: The study is a pioneer in the evaluation of vividity of memory to the festival context.
eNuRAPID-A Leakage Power and Wire Latency Aware Cache Design

At future technology nodes, leakage power will become an increasingly dominant source of power consumption. On-chip caches, since they account for the largest fraction of on-chip transistors in modern processors, are a primary target for leakage power reduction. Orthogonal to power consumption, the increasing dominance of on-chip wire delay in building low-latency caches will present additional problems at future technology nodes. In this paper, we build off the previously presented NuRAPID structure for coping with long on-chip wiring latencies and leverage its structure to further reduce power. In NuRAPID the most frequently used blocks are placed close to the processor for fast access times. We propose using this structure to either place into low-power mode or disable cache lines in the farthest banks to reduce leakage power. In addition, we also explore adding additional tags to increase the effective associativity of the cache in order to reduce its miss rate and hence reduce main memory access power. We have developed a model for L2 cache energy using CACTI-5.0 and simulated our proposed design using a modified version of SimpleScalar. From our simulations, we show that our leakage reduction enhancements provide a 50% reduction in leakage energy with nearly no IPC degradation. This results in a total energy reduction of 28% at 45nm and 35% at 32nm nodes as compared to the baseline NuRAPID structure.
Novel coaching cricket bat: can it be used to enhance the backlift and performance of junior cricket batsmen?

Background In the current literature, it is questionable whether cricket bats in their current form and dimensions allow a young cricketer to hit the ball effectively. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a novel coaching cricket bat among junior cricket batsmen with regard to enhancing performance and the direction of the backlift. Methods A cross-sectional research study with analytical research methods was employed, in which 2 groups (coached: n=12 and uncoached: n=35) of participants (ages 9–13) took part in a pilot and intervention study. Participants were required to use a novel coaching cricket bat in a coaching game format. Biomechanical and video analysis was conducted in the frontal and lateral planes. Effect sizes (ES) were calculated to determine the effectiveness and the level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results Pilot study results demonstrated that participants scored an additional 100 runs when using the coaching cricket bat compared with a conventional cricket bat (p=0.003). 6 weeks postintervention (training with the coaching cricket bat), the experimental group displayed improved performance (ES=5.41). Players' backlifts had subsequently become more lateral, which may have promoted more effective ball striking as a result of this training effect. Conclusions The recommendation from this study is that coaches should encourage young cricketers to use the coaching cricket bat as it is perceived to be a potentially significant training aid for enhancing their performance and the direction of their backlift when they use conventional cricket bats in match play.
Association of physical performance and biochemical profile of mice with intrinsic endurance swimming

We aimed to investigate the potential mediators and relationship affecting congenital exercise performance in an animal model with physical activity challenge from physiological and biochemical perspectives. A total of 75 male ICR mice (5 weeks old) were adapted for 1 week, then mice performed a non-loading and exhaustive swimming test and were assigned to 3 groups by exhaustive swimming time: low exercise capacity (LEC) (<3 hr), medium exercise capacity (MEC) (3-5 hr), and high exercise capacity (HEC) (>5 hr). After a 1-week rest, the 3 groups of mice performed an exhaustive swimming test with a 5% and 7.5% weight load and a forelimb grip-strength test, with a 1-week rest between tests. Blood samples were collected immediately after an acute exercise challenge and at the end of the experiment (resting status) to evaluate biochemical blood variables and their relation with physical performance. Physical activity, including exhaustive swimming and grip strength, was greater for HEC than other mice. The swimming performance and grip strength between groups were moderately correlated (r=0.443, p<0.05). Resting serum ammonium level was moderately correlated with endurance with a 7.5% weight load (r=-0.447, p<0.05) and with lactate level (r=0.598, p<0.05). The pulmonary morphology of the HEC group seemed to indicate benefits for aerobic exercise. Mice showed congenital exercise performance, which was significantly correlated with different physical challenges and biochemical variable values. This study may have implications for interference in intrinsic characteristics
Different doses of exogenous surfactant for treatment of meconium aspiration syndrome in newborn rabbits.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of 2 different doses of exogenous surfactant on pulmonary mechanics and on the regularity of pulmonary parenchyma inflation in newborn rabbits. METHOD Newborn rabbits were submitted to tracheostomy and randomized into 4 study groups: the Control group did not receive any material inside the trachea; the MEC group was instilled with meconium, without surfactant treatment; the S100 and S200 groups were instilled with meconium and were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg of exogenous surfactant (produced by Instituto Butantan) respectively. Animals from the 4 groups were mechanically ventilated during a 25-minute period. Dynamic compliance, ventilatory pressure, tidal volume, and maximum lung volume (P-V curve) were evaluated. Histological analysis was conducted using the mean linear intercept (Lm), and the lung tissue distortion index (SDI) was derived from the standard deviation of the means of the Lm. One-way analysis of variance was used with a = 0.05. RESULTS After 25 minutes of ventilation, dynamic compliance (mL/cm H2O.kg) was 0.87 +/- 0.07 (Control); 0.49 +/- 0.04 (MEC*); 0.67 +/- 0.06 (S100); and 0.67 +/- 0.08 (S200), and ventilatory pressure (cm H2O) was 9.0 +/- 0.9 (Control); 16.5 +/- 1.7 (MEC*); 12.4 +/- 1.1 (S100); and 12.1 +/- 1.5 (S200). Both treated groups had lower Lm values and more homogeneity in the lung parenchyma compared to the MEC group: SDI = 7.5 +/- 1.9 (Control); 11.3 +/- 2.5 (MEC*), 5.8 +/- 1.9 (S100); and 6.7 +/- 1.7 (S200) (*P < 0.05 versus all the other groups). CONCLUSIONS Animals treated with surfactant showed significant improvement in pulmonary mechanics and more regularity of the lung parenchyma in comparison to untreated animals. There was no difference in results after treatment with either of the doses used.
Usefulness of Aquaporin 1 as a Prognostic Marker in a Prospective Cohort of Malignant Mesotheliomas

(1) Background: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumour of the serosal membranes, associated with exposure to asbestos. Survival is generally poor, but prognostication for individual patients is difficult. We recently described Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) as independent prognostic factor in two separate retrospective cohorts of MM patients. Here we assess the usefulness of AQP1 prospectively, and determine the inter-observer agreement in assessing AQP1 scores; (2) Methods: A total of 104 consecutive cases of MM were included. Sufficient tissue for immunohistochemistry was available for 100 cases, and these cases were labelled for AQP1. Labelling was assessed by two pathologists. Complete clinical information and follow up was available for 91 cases; (3) Results: Labelling of ≥50% of tumour cells for AQP indicated improved prognosis in a univariate model (median survival 13 versus 8 months, p = 0.008), but the significance was decreased in a multivariate analysis. Scoring for AQP1 was robust, with an inter-observer kappa value of 0.722, indicating substantial agreement between observers; (4) Conclusion: AQP1 is a useful prognostic marker that can be easily incorporated in existing diagnostic immunohistochemical panels and which can be reliably interpreted by different pathologists.