Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Approximate dynamic programming using halfspace queries and multiscale Monge decomposition

We consider the problem of approximating a signal <i>P</i> with another signal <i>F</i> consisting of a few piecewise constant segments. This problem arises naturally in applications including databases (e.g., histogram construction), speech recognition, computational biology (e.g., denoising aCGH data) and many more. Specifically, let <i>P</i> = (<i>P</i><sub>1</sub>, <i>P</i><sub>2</sub>,., <i>P</i><sub><i>n</i></sub>), <i>P</i><sub><i>i</i></sub> ∈ R for all <i>i</i>, be a signal and let <i>C</i> be a constant. Our goal is to find a function <i>F</i>: [<i>n</i>] → R which optimizes the following objective function: [EQUATION] The above optimization problem reduces to solving the following recurrence, which can be done using dynamic programming in <i>O</i>(<i>n</i><sup>2</sup>) time: [EQUATION] This recurrence arises naturally in several applications where one wants to approximate a given signal <i>P</i> with a signal <i>F</i> which ideally consists of few piecewise constant segments. Such applications include histogram construction in databases, determining DNA copy numbers in cancer cells from micro-array data, speech recognition, data mining and many others. In this work we present two new techniques for optimizing dynamic programming that can handle cost functions not treated by other standard methods. The basis of our first algorithm is the definition of a constant-shifted variant of the objective function that can be efficiently approximated using state of the art methods for range searching. Our technique approximates the optimal value of our objective function within additive ε error and runs in <i>Õ</i>(<i>n</i><sup>4/3+Δ</sup> log (<i>U</i>/ε)) time, where Δ is an arbitrarily small positive constant and <i>U</i> = max{√<i>C</i>, (|<i>P</i><sub><i>i</i></sub>|)<sub><i>i</i>=1,. , <i>n</i></sub>}. The second algorithm we provide solves a similar recurrence that's within a multiplicative factor of (1+ε) and runs in <i>O</i>(<i>n</i> log <i>n</i>/ε). The new technique introduced by our algorithm is the decomposition of the initial problem into a small (logarithmic) number of Monge optimization subproblems which we can speed up using existing techniques.
The effect of material age on electrical tree growth in mechanically prestressed fibre-reinforced composite insulations

Electrical tree growth has been investigated in free-from fibre and mechanically pre-stressed fibre-reinforced Araldite 5052 epoxy resin samples as a function of material age (defined as the time between manufacture and testing of pin-plane samples). Raman Spectroscopy has systematically assessed the tensile residual stress remaining in the cast-in fibres and by inference the compressive stress in the matrix. It has been found that the mechanical prestressing of electrical insulation, achieved by the casting in of fibres in tension into epoxy resin, could remain in the matrix but change with the sample age as a consequence of the absorption of water from the air. The mechanical pre-stressing does not only increase the tree growth times to failure but, most significantly there is a systematic increase in the tree growth times to failure due to the increase of tensile residual stress remaining in the cast-in fibres, as the sample age is increased. Based on the experimental data, a direct relationship between Raman band shift as well as residual stress of the mechanically pre-stressed fibre and electrical tree growth time to failure of the insulation has been found.
Impact of antipsychotic treatments on the motivation to eat: preliminary results in 153 schizophrenic patients

Many aspects of the motivation to eat are involved in the impairment of adequate food intake and body weight control. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by adopting widely used eating questionnaires, the Three Factors Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (TFEQ) and the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), the associations of different antipsychotic medications with the food attitudes of 153 schizophrenic patients: we compared 93 individuals treated with atypical antipsychotics, 27 treated with conventional neuroleptics and 33 untreated patients. We did not find any difference according to sex, but the mean body mass index varied significantly among the three groups of patients. The DEBQ external eating factor was higher in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics than in patients who received conventional neuroleptics (P=0.035). The TFEQ disinhibition and DEBQ emotional eating scores tended to change among the three types of treatment. Patients with metabolic syndrome (19%) had lower DEBQ external eating scores (P=0.044) and a tendency of higher TFEQ disinhibition scores. The TFEQ disinhibition and hunger scores increased according to the body mass index (P=0.003; P=0.017). The main outcome of this study is that the patients treated with atypical antipsychotics were more reactive to external eating cues, which could partly explain the higher weight gain often reported in these patients.
Thermomechanical formulation of a small-strain model for overconsolidated clays

A constitutive model for the stress‐strain behaviour of overconsolidated clays at small and intermediate strains is presented. The model had previously been formulated by Puzrin & Burland in terms of classical plasticity theory with certain additional assumptions. It is presented here within a rigorous formalism based on thermomechanical considerations, described by Puzrin & Houlsby and termed the ‘continuous hyperplastic’ method. The entire constitutive behaviour is derived from the specification of two scalar functionals. The model serves as the first example of the derivation of a non‐trivial constitutive model within this approach.
Abnormal Intracellular Calcium Signaling and SNARE-Dependent Exocytosis Contributes to SOD1G93A Astrocyte-Mediated Toxicity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Motor neurons are progressively and predominantly degenerated in ALS, which is not only induced by multiple intrinsic pathways but also significantly influenced by the neighboring glial cells. In particular, astrocytes derived from the SOD1 mutant mouse model of ALS or from human familial or sporadic ALS patient brain tissue directly induce motor neuron death in culture; however, the mechanisms of pathological astroglial secretion remain unclear. Here we investigated abnormal calcium homeostasis and altered exocytosis in SOD1G93A astrocytes. We found that purinergic stimulation induces excess calcium release from the ER stores in SOD1G93A astrocytes, which results from the abnormal ER calcium accumulation and is independent of clearance mechanisms. Furthermore, pharmacological studies suggested that store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), a calcium refilling mechanism responsive to ER calcium depletion, is enhanced in SOD1G93A astrocytes. We found that oxidant-induced increased S-glutathionylation and calcium-independent puncta formation of the ER calcium sensor STIM1 underlies the abnormal SOCE response in SOD1G93A astrocytes. Enhanced SOCE contributes to ER calcium overload in SOD1G93A astrocytes and excess calcium release from the ER during ATP stimulation. In addition, ER calcium release induces elevated ATP release from SOD1G93A astrocytes, which can be inhibited by the overexpression of dominant-negative SNARE. Selective inhibition of exocytosis in SOD1G93A astrocytes significantly prevents astrocyte-mediated toxicity to motor neurons and delays disease onset in SOD1G93A mice. Our results characterize a novel mechanism responsible for calcium dysregulation in SOD1G93A astrocytes and provide the first in vivo evidence that astrocyte exocytosis contributes to the pathogenesis of ALS.
What makes Paris look like Paris?

Given a large repository of geo-tagged imagery, we seek to automatically find visual elements, for example windows, balconies, and street signs, that are most distinctive for a certain geo-spatial area, for example the city of Paris. This is a tremendously difficult task as the visual features distinguishing architectural elements of different places can be very subtle. In addition, we face a hard search problem: given all possible patches in all images, which of them are both frequently occurring and geographically informative? To address these issues, we propose to use a discriminative clustering approach able to take into account the weak geographic supervision. We show that geographically representative image elements can be discovered automatically from Google Street View imagery in a discriminative manner. We demonstrate that these elements are visually interpretable and perceptually geo-informative. The discovered visual elements can also support a variety of computational geography tasks, such as mapping architectural correspondences and influences within and across cities, finding representative elements at different geo-spatial scales, and geographically informed image retrieval.
On the Equivalence Between Jensen–Shannon Divergence and Michelson Contrast

This paper focuses on the link between a visible linear and local distortion in a pictorial scene and its cost in terms of information theory quantities. In particular, a formal relation between the Michelson visual contrast and the Jensen-Shannon divergence (JSD) will be provided. A universal just noticeable threshold is also derived by maximizing JSD constrained to the greatest Michelson contrast of an invisible distortion. Such a threshold is independent of both distortion parameters and the probability density function of the degraded image. It is then able to measure the bits budget to be spent for leaving the distortion invisible. Some tests on both synthetic and real distorted images validate the theoretical findings. They confirm that the proposed universal threshold is really able to get the lower bound of human perception and then it may be useful for many applications, such as bit allocation in coding procedures and automatic parameters setting in restoration algorithms.
Intentional ABO‐Incompatible Lung Transplantation

We report on a case of intentional blood group incompatible lung transplantation. A blood group O cystic fibrosis patient was mechanically ventilated and put on interventional lung assist for severe respiratory decompensation. Since timely allocation of a blood group O donor lung was impossible, an AB deceased donor lung rescue allocation was accepted and the transplant performed using a pre‐, peri‐ and postoperative antibody depletion protocol including plasmapheresis, ivIg administration, rituximab and immunoadsorption. Nine months after the transplant the patient is at home and well.
A Large Gene Cluster in Burkholderia xenovorans Encoding Abietane Diterpenoid Catabolism

ABSTRACT Abietane diterpenoids are defense compounds synthesized by trees that are abundant in natural environments and occur as significant pollutants from pulp and paper production. Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 has diverse catabolic capabilities and represents an important group of heterotrophic bacteria in soil environments. The genome sequence of LB400 revealed homologs of the dit genes of Pseudomonas abietaniphila BKME-9, which encode abietane diterpenoid degradation. LB400 grew on abietic acid (AbA), dehydroabietic acid (DhA), palustric acid (PaA), and 7-oxo-DhA. A Xeotron microarray set, with probes for 8450 of the estimated 9000 LB400 genes, was used to compare the transcriptomes of LB400 growing on DhA versus on succinate. On DhA, 97 genes were upregulated, 43 of which were within an 80-kb cluster located on the 1.47-Mbp megaplasmid of LB400. Upregulated genes in this cluster encode a permease, a ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase system (DitA), a ring-cleavage dioxygenase (DitC), a P450 monooxygenase (DitQ), and enzymes catalyzing beta-oxidation-type reactions. Disruption of the ditA1 gene, encoding the alpha-subunit of DitA, abolished growth on these abietanes. Analyses of the metabolism of abietanes by cell suspensions of wild-type LB400 and the ditA1 mutant indicate a convergent pathway, with 7-oxo-DhA as a common intermediate for ring hydroxylation by DitA. Also, 7-oxo-PaA was identified as a metabolite of both AbA and PaA. Sequence analysis indicates that genes encoding this pathway have been horizontally transferred among Betaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria.
Dynamic Infinite Relational Model for Time-varying Relational Data Analysis

We propose a new probabilistic model for analyzing dynamic evolutions of relational data, such as additions, deletions and split & merge, of relation clusters like communities in social networks. Our proposed model abstracts observed time-varying object-object relationships into relationships between object clusters. We extend the infinite Hidden Markov model to follow dynamic and time-sensitive changes in the structure of the relational data and to estimate a number of clusters simultaneously. We show the usefulness of the model through experiments with synthetic and real-world data sets.
Medications To Treat Alcoholism

Advances in neurobiology support the development of medications to treat alcoholism by modifying the activity of specific chemical messengers (i.e., neurotransmitters) in the brain. Among the most promising new medications is acamprosate, which appears to decrease the intensity of craving after a person has stopped drinking. Naltrexone (ReVia™) has been shown to decrease alcohol consumption, although its practical effectiveness may be compromised by poor patient compliance and other factors. Ondansetron shows promise for decreasing drinking and increasing abstinence rates among early onset alcoholics, who respond poorly to psychosocial treatment alone. Researchers are investigating whether the use of specific medications in combination can further enhance their effectiveness. Additional research is needed to determine how medications interact with different psychosocial factors and treatments.
K-band polarimetry of an Sgr A* flare with a clear sub-flare structure

Context. The supermassive black hole at the Galactic center, Sgr A*, shows frequent radiation outbursts, often called ’flares’. I n the near-infrared some of these flares were reported as showing i ntrinsic quasi-periodicities. The flux peaks associated wi th the quasi-periodic behavior were found to be highly polarized. Aims. The aim of this work is to present new evidence to support previous findings of the properties of the polarized radiation fr om Sgr A* and to again provide strong support for the quasi-periodicity of∼18± 3 min reported earlier. Methods. Observations were carried out at the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope on Paranal, Chile. We used th e NAOS/CONICA adaptive optics/near-infrared camera instrument. By fitting the polarimetr ic lightcurves with a hot-spot model, we addressed the question of whether the data are consistent with this model. To fit the observed data we used a general relativistic ray -tracing code in combination with a simple hot-spot/ring model. Results. We report on new polarization measurements of a K-band flare f rom the supermassive black hole at the Galactic center. The data provide very strong support for a quasi-periodicity of 15.5± 2 min. The mean polarization of the flare is consistent with th e direction of the electric field vector that was reported in previous obser vations. The data can be modeled successfully with a combined blob/ring model. The inclination i of the blob orbit must be i> 20 ◦ on a 3σ level, and the dimensionless spin parameter of the black hole is derived to be a⋆> 0.5.
Electromagnetic tracking for femoral derotation osteotomy—an in vivo study

Femoral derotation osteotomy delivers good to excellent results in the treatment of rotational gait abnormalities and especially in internal rotation gait. The outcome of the procedure has been evaluated in numerous short‐ and long‐term studies. Although reasons for recurrence and over‐/under‐correction have been unveiled in earlier studies the mechanisms are still not fully understood. False intra‐operative assessment of the derotation angle may contribute to imprecise outcomes. In a recent saw‐bone study we evaluated an electromagnetic tracking system in comparison to conventional goniometer measurement and a CT reference measurement and found it to be extremely accurate, whereas the use of a conventional goniometer for derotation measurement showed a high inter‐ and intra‐rater variability. The current study evaluates the electromagnetic tracking system for continuous intra‐operative derotation control under real OR conditions. Adults (age: 18–40 years) with the diagnosis of internal rotation gait, independent of the underling pathology, undergoing a supracondylar deroation osteotomy were included. A rotational CT scan was conducted before and in close proximity after surgery and the difference served as reference for the electromagnetic tracking results. The results showed a mean deviation of 2.6° (1.2–5.5°) in comparison to the reference measurement of the pre‐ and post‐operative CT scans. The system proved to be stable under OR conditions with a good usability and a small technical footprint. Electromagnetic tracking delivers a precise, reliable, and independent assessment of intra‐operative derotation angles in femoral derotation osteotomies. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2652–2657, 2017.
Increased Risk for Lymphoid and Myeloid Neoplasms in Elderly Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients

Background: By assessing the spectrum of hematologic malignancies associated with solid-organ transplantation in the elderly, we provide information on the pathogenesis of lymphoid and myeloid neoplasms and the clinical manifestations of immunosuppression. Methods: Using data from the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare database, we identified 83,016 cases with a hematologic malignancy (age 66-99 years) and 166,057 population-based controls matched to cases by age, sex, and calendar year. Medicare claims were used to identify a history of solid-organ transplantation. We used polytomous logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) comparing transplantation history among cases with various hematologic malignancy subtypes and controls, adjusting for the matching factors and race. Results: A prior solid-organ transplant was identified in 216 (0.26%) cases and 204 (0.12%) controls. Transplantation was associated with increased risk for non–Hodgkin lymphomas [OR, 2.13; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.67-2.72], especially diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 2.28-4.76), marginal zone lymphoma (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.17-5.22), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (OR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.41-7.81), and T-cell lymphoma (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.56-6.06). Transplantation was also associated with elevated risk of Hodgkin lymphoma (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.01-6.35) and plasma cell neoplasms (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.24-2.93). Risks for myeloid neoplasms were also elevated (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.41-2.81). Conclusion: Solid-organ transplantation is associated with a wide spectrum of hematologic malignancies in the elderly. Risk was increased for four specific non–Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes for which a viral agent has been implicated, supporting an added role for immunosuppression. Impact: Our results support monitoring for a wide spectrum of hematologic malignancies following solid-organ transplant. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(5); 1229–37. ©2010 AACR.
Mitomycin C in Revision Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy: A Prospective Randomized Study

Background Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) is an effective and safe procedure when treating saccal and postsaccal nasolacrimal duct obstruction. However, sometimes scarring of the rhinostomy site caused by fibrosis may occur, particularly in revision operations. The application of intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC), an antiproliferative agent, has been introduced as one possible technique to improve the outcome. We conducted a prospective, randomized study to evaluate if the use of MMC improves the success in endonasal revision DCR procedure. Methods Thirty revision EN-DCR procedures were performed during 2004–2010. The patients were randomized into two study groups, according to whether the intraoperative MMC was used or not. The technique of EN-DCR procedure in both groups was the same, but in the MMC group, at the end of the procedure a piece of tampon soaked in MMC (0.4 mg/mL) was placed into the rhinostoma for 5 minutes. No silicone stents were inserted. The surgical outcome at the 6-month follow-up visit was considered successful if the lacrimal sac irrigation succeeded and if the patients’ symptoms were relieved. Results The success rate after revision EN-DCR with MMC was 93% and without MMC was 60%. The overall success rate was 77%. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). The relief of the symptoms between groups in both the Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Symptom Score and ocular symptoms was statistically significant (p = 0.007 and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion The results of our study indicate that the application of intraoperative mitomycin C may improve the outcome in revision EN-DCR.
Extracting texture features from arbitrary-shaped regions for image retrieval

Lots of work has been done in texture feature extraction for rectangular images, but not as much attention has been paid to the arbitrary-shaped regions available in region-based image retrieval (RBIR) systems. In This work, we present a texture feature extraction algorithm, based on projection onto convex sets (POCS) theory. POCS iteratively concentrates more and more energy into the selected coefficients from which texture features of an arbitrary-shaped region can be extracted. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for image retrieval purposes.
Geopolymer Stabilisation of Unfired Earth Masonry Units

Contemporary domestic structures typically use masonry units that are approximately 100mm thick. There is interest in using commercial methods of manufacture to produce earthen bricks that have a similar form factor to conventional masonry The large scale adoption of thin walled unfired earth masonry is dependent on its suitability for use in a load bearing application. High moisture content leading to full saturation, for example as a result of flooding, is a concern for unstablised earth construction, especially as wall thickness reduces. The greatest barrier for earth masonry adoption is the durability of the material when affected by high moisture content. Accidental and intentional wetting of a 100mm thick load bearing unfired earth wall could lead to disproportionate collapse. The paper presents initial findings from an investigation into the use of geopolymer mechanism as a method of stabilisation. The use of geopolymer mechanism was chosen as a possible method of improving the water resilience. Soil that is used for commercial extruded fired brick production was chosen. The soil was selected as the precursor (source of the required silica and alumina) and this was mixed with various sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate activators. Specimens were tested both in their dry sate as well as following 24 hours of submersion in water. Compressive strength of cylinders after saturation, was used as an indicator of effective stabilisation. The maximum dry compressive strength achieved was 10.4N/mm2 with the addition of 5% sodium hydroxide and 20% sodium silicate after curing at 105°C. The most significant contributor to the strength gain was the addition of sodium silicate. Although some of the cylinders were able to be tested under fully saturated conditions the strengths achieved were negligible and insufficient for structural application. The potential for geopolymers as a method of stabilising unfired earth bricks is discussed with respect to the compressive strengths achieved.