Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Algorithmic Implementation of Stochastic Discrimination

Stochastic discrimination is a general methodology for constructing classifiers appropriate for pattern recognition. It is based on combining arbitrary numbers of very weak components, which are usually generated by some pseudorandom process, and it has the property that the very complex and accurate classifiers produced in this way retain the ability, characteristic of their weak component pieces, to generalize to new data. In fact, it is often observed, in practice, that classifier performance on test sets continues to rise as more weak components are added, even after performance on training sets seems to have reached a maximum. This is predicted by the underlying theory, for even though the formal error rate on the training set may have reached a minimum, more sophisticated measures intrinsic to this method indicate that classifier performance on both training and test sets continues to improve as complexity increases. We begin with a review of the method of stochastic discrimination as applied to pattern recognition. Through a progression of examples keyed to various theoretical issues, we discuss considerations involved with its algorithmic implementation. We then take such an algorithmic implementation and compare its performance, on a large set of standardized pattern recognition problems from the University of California Irvine, and Statlog collections, to many other techniques reported on in the literature, including boosting and bagging. In doing these studies, we compare our results to those reported in the literature by the various authors for the other methods, using the same data and study paradigms used by them. Included in the paper is an outline of the underlying mathematical theory of stochastic discrimination and a remark concerning boosting, which provides a theoretical justification for properties of that method observed in practice, including its ability to generalize.
Solution for an interaction quench in the Lieb-Liniger Bose gas

We study a quench protocol where the ground state of a free many-particle bosonic theory in one dimension is let unitarily evolve in time under the integrable Lieb-Liniger Hamiltonian of $\ensuremath{\delta}$-interacting repulsive bosons. By using a recently proposed variational method, we here obtain the exact nonthermal steady state of the system in the thermodynamic limit and discuss some of its main physical properties. Besides being a rare case of a thermodynamically exact solution to a truly interacting quench situation, this interestingly represents an example where a standard implementation of the generalized Gibbs ensemble fails.
Performance similarities predict collective benefits in dyadic and triadic joint visual search

When humans perform tasks together, they may reach a higher performance in comparison to the best member of a group (i.e., a collective benefit). Earlier research showed that interindividual performance similarities predict collective benefits for several joint tasks. Yet, researchers did not test whether this is the case for joint visuospatial tasks. Also, researchers did not investigate whether dyads and triads reach a collective benefit when they are forbidden to exchange any information while performing a visuospatial task. In this study, participants performed a joint visual search task either alone, in dyads, or in triads, and were not allowed to exchange any information while doing the task. We found that dyads reached a collective benefit. Triads did outperform their best individual member and dyads—yet, they did not outperform the best dyad pairing within the triad. In addition, similarities in performance significantly predicted the collective benefit for dyads and triads. Furthermore, we find that the dyads’ and triads’ search performances closely match a simulated performance based on the individual search performances, which assumed that members of a group act independently. Overall, the present study supports the view that performance similarities predict collective benefits in joint tasks. Moreover, it provides a basis for future studies to investigate the benefits of exchanging information between co-actors in joint visual search tasks.
Media Use and the Sexual Propensities of Emerging Adults

This article reports the findings of an online survey (N = 707) that assessed the predictive power of media use on sexual excitation and inhibition, as conceived by the dual control model (Janssen, Vorst, Finn, & Bancroft, 2002). Media use explained more variance in sexual excitation than inhibition. Moreover, excitation was statistically associated with several media variables (music, network programming, films, Web sites) while inhibition had a statistically robust relationship with music consumption only. In fact, exposure to religious/devotional music was positively and rap/hip-hop was negatively related to sexual inhibition. Advantages of employing the dual control model to media sex research are discussed.
A dual point-of-care test shows good performance in simultaneously detecting nontreponemal and treponemal antibodies in patients with syphilis: a multisite evaluation study in China.

BACKGROUND Rapid point-of-care (POC) syphilis tests based on simultaneous detection of treponemal and nontreponemal antibodies (dual POC tests) offer the opportunity to increase coverage of syphilis screening and treatment. This study aimed to conduct a multisite performance evaluation of a dual POC syphilis test in China. METHODS Participants were recruited from patients at sexually transmitted infection clinics and high-risk groups in outreach settings in 6 sites in China. Three kinds of specimens (whole blood [WB], fingerprick blood [FB], and blood plasma [BP]) were used for evaluating sensitivity and specificity of the Dual Path Platform (DPP) Syphilis Screen and Confirm test using its treponemal and nontreponemal lines to compare Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay and toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST) as reference standards. RESULTS A total of 3134 specimens (WB 1323, FB 488, and BP 1323) from 1323 individuals were collected. The sensitivities as compared with TPPA were 96.7% for WB, 96.4% for FB, and 94.6% for BP, and the specificities were 99.3%, 99.1%, and 99.6%, respectively. The sensitivities as compared with TRUST were 87.2% for WB, 85.8% for FB, and 88.4% for BP, and the specificities were 94.4%, 96.1%, and 95.0%, respectively. For specimens with a TRUST titer of 1:4 or higher, the sensitivities were 100.0% for WB, 97.8% for FB, and 99.6% for BP. CONCLUSIONS DPP test shows good sensitivity and specificity in detecting treponemal and nontreponemal antibodies in 3 kinds of specimens. It is hoped that this assay can be considered as an alternative in the diagnosis of syphilis, particularly in resource-limited areas.
Glaucoma Underlying Microstructure of Parapapillary Deep-Layer Capillary Dropout Identified by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Citation: Lee EJ, Kim T-W, Lee SH, Kim J-A. Underlying microstructure of parapapillary deep-layer capillary dropout identified by optical coherence tomography angiography. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58:1621–1627. DOI:10.1167/iovs.17-21440 PURPOSE. To characterize the microstructure underlying the parapapillary deep-layer microvasculature dropout (MvD) identified by optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA) in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
LRRTM1 underlies synaptic convergence in visual thalamus

It has long been thought that the mammalian visual system is organized into parallel pathways, with incoming visual signals being parsed in the retina based on feature (e.g. color, contrast and motion) and then transmitted to the brain in unmixed, feature-specific channels. To faithfully convey feature-specific information from retina to cortex, thalamic relay cells must receive inputs from only a small number of functionally similar retinal ganglion cells. However, recent studies challenged this by revealing substantial levels of retinal convergence onto relay cells. Here, we sought to identify mechanisms responsible for the assembly of such convergence. Using an unbiased transcriptomics approach and targeted mutant mice, we discovered a critical role for the synaptic adhesion molecule Leucine Rich Repeat Transmembrane Neuronal 1 (LRRTM1) in the emergence of retinothalamic convergence. Importantly, LRRTM1 mutant mice display impairment in visual behaviors, suggesting a functional role of retinothalamic convergence in vision.
HCN1 Channels Control Resting and Active Integrative Properties of Stellate Cells from Layer II of the Entorhinal Cortex

Whereas recent studies have elucidated principles for representation of information within the entorhinal cortex, less is known about the molecular basis for information processing by entorhinal neurons. The HCN1 gene encodes ion channels that mediate hyperpolarization-activated currents (Ih) that control synaptic integration and influence several forms of learning and memory. We asked whether hyperpolarization-activated, cation nonselective 1 (HCN1) channels control processing of information by stellate cells found within layer II of the entorhinal cortex. Axonal projections from these neurons form a major component of the synaptic input to the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. To determine whether HCN1 channels control either the resting or the active properties of stellate neurons, we performed whole-cell recordings in horizontal brain slices prepared from adult wild-type and HCN1 knock-out mice. We found that HCN1 channels are required for rapid and full activation of hyperpolarization-activated currents in stellate neurons. HCN1 channels dominate the membrane conductance at rest, are not required for theta frequency (4–12 Hz) membrane potential fluctuations, but suppress low-frequency (<4 Hz) components of spontaneous and evoked membrane potential activity. During sustained activation of stellate cells sufficient for firing of repeated action potentials, HCN1 channels control the pattern of spike output by promoting recovery of the spike afterhyperpolarization. These data suggest that HCN1 channels expressed by stellate neurons in layer II of the entorhinal cortex are key molecular components in the processing of inputs to the hippocampal dentate gyrus, with distinct integrative roles during resting and active states.
Binding of the cSH3 domain of Grb2 adaptor to two distinct RXXK motifs within Gab1 docker employs differential mechanisms

A ubiquitous component of cellular signaling machinery, Gab1 docker plays a pivotal role in routing extracellular information in the form of growth factors and cytokines to downstream targets such as transcription factors within the nucleus. Here, using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in combination with macromolecular modeling (MM), we show that although Gab1 contains four distinct RXXK motifs, designated G1, G2, G3, and G4, only G1 and G2 motifs bind to the cSH3 domain of Grb2 adaptor and do so with distinct mechanisms. Thus, while the G1 motif strictly requires the PPRPPKP consensus sequence for high‐affinity binding to the cSH3 domain, the G2 motif displays preference for the PXVXRXLKPXR consensus. Such sequential differences in the binding of G1 and G2 motifs arise from their ability to adopt distinct polyproline type II (PPII)‐ and 310‐helical conformations upon binding to the cSH3 domain, respectively. Collectively, our study provides detailed biophysical insights into a key protein–protein interaction involved in a diverse array of signaling cascades central to health and disease. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived Stigmatization, Ingroup Pride, and Immune and Endocrine Activity

Racial disparities are a major public health concern in the United States. The authors examined whether Black and Latina community members’ perceptions of stigmatization and personal feelings about their group relate to immune and endocrine markers associated with health risk, including the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), which coordinates the immune response to infection, the anabolic hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which promotes cellular resilience, and the catabolic hormone cortisol, which releases metabolic stores in response to threat. Greater perceived stigmatization was associated with higher basal IL-6, whereas greater ingroup pride was related to elevated basal DHEA. These associations remained with adjustment for general perceived stress, experience with discrimination, age, and income. No significant perceived stigmatization or ingroup pride effects emerged for basal cortisol. These findings provide new evidence that perceived stigmatization and ingroup pride are linked to indicators of disease and resilience, respectively, highlighting mechanisms through which racial and ethnic stigmatization may contribute to health disparities.
Leaf shedding as an anti-bacterial defense in Arabidopsis cauline leaves

Plants utilize an innate immune system to protect themselves from disease. While many molecular components of plant innate immunity resemble the innate immunity of animals, plants also have evolved a number of truly unique defense mechanisms, particularly at the physiological level. Plant’s flexible developmental program allows them the unique ability to simply produce new organs as needed, affording them the ability to replace damaged organs. Here we develop a system to study pathogen-triggered leaf abscission in Arabidopsis. Cauline leaves infected with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae abscise as part of the defense mechanism. Pseudomonas syringae lacking a functional type III secretion system fail to elicit an abscission response, suggesting that the abscission response is a novel form of immunity triggered by effectors. HAESA/HAESA-like 2, INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION, and NEVERSHED are all required for pathogen-triggered abscission to occur. Additionally phytoalexin deficient 4, enhanced disease susceptibility 1, salicylic acid induction-deficient 2, and senescence-associated gene 101 plants with mutations in genes necessary for bacterial defense and salicylic acid signaling, and NahG transgenic plants with low levels of salicylic acid fail to abscise cauline leaves normally. Bacteria that physically contact abscission zones trigger a strong abscission response; however, long-distance signals are also sent from distal infected tissue to the abscission zone, alerting the abscission zone of looming danger. We propose a threshold model regulating cauline leaf defense where minor infections are handled by limiting bacterial growth, but when an infection is deemed out of control, cauline leaves are shed. Together with previous results, our findings suggest that salicylic acid may regulate both pathogen- and drought-triggered leaf abscission.
Focal Muscle Vibration and Physical Exercise in Postmastectomy Recovery: An Explorative Study

Background. Physical activity initiation and maintenance are particular challenges in the postmastectomy recovery and in particular Dragon Boat racing seems to be a useful sport activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of focal muscle vibration as a proprioceptive input to improve upper limb functioning in a group of “paddlers” patients. Methods. A group of paddlers has been evaluated before vibratory treatment (T0), immediately after therapy (T1), after one week (T2), and after one month (T3) with DASH questionnaire, Body Image Scale, McGill pain questionnaire, Constant Scale, and Short Form 36 questionnaire. Results. Fourteen patients showed a significant reduction in disability score (p = 0,001) using DASH scale, an improvement of upper limb function (p = 0,001) using the Constant scale, and a reduction of pain (p = 0,007) at the McGill pain questionnaire. The Mental Composite Score of the Short Form 36 questionnaire showed significant results (p = 0,04) while no significant results had been found regarding the physical mental score (p = 0,08). Conclusion. Focal muscle vibration may be a useful treatment in a postmastectomy recovery of upper limb functionality.
Virus-Like Particle, Liposome, and Polymeric Particle-Based Vaccines against HIV-1

It is acknowledged that vaccines remain the best hope for eliminating the HIV-1 epidemic. However, the failure to produce effective vaccine immunogens and the inability of conventional delivery strategies to elicit the desired immune responses remains a central theme and has ultimately led to a significant roadblock in HIV vaccine development. Consequently, significant efforts have been applied to generate novel vaccine antigens and delivery agents, which mimic viral structures for optimal immune induction. Here, we review the latest developments that have occurred in the nanoparticle vaccine field, with special emphasis on strategies that are being utilized to attain highly immunogenic, systemic, and mucosal anti-HIV humoral and cellular immune responses. This includes the design of novel immunogens, the central role of antigen-presenting cells, delivery routes, and biodistribution of nanoparticles to lymph nodes. In particular, we will focus on virus-like-particle formulations and their preclinical uses within the HIV prophylactic vaccine setting.
Sex-Differences of Low to Moderate Leisure-Time Physical Activity on Metabolic Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background: Exercise is an integral part of the diabetes management and prevention. However, it is hard to maintain and to reach current recommendation due to the unavoidable aging process. This cross-sectional study investigates our type 2 diabetes patients participating in our DM education program from January to December 2011 to find out if low to moderate physical activity could have benefits and to investigate if there were sex- differences of benefits. Results: In 3240 type 2 DM patients, 53.7% had Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) but only 24.7% had adequate LTPA. Those who had adequate physical activity had lower BMI, longer DM duration (10.4 ± 7.6 vs 8.4 ± 6.8 years). Significantly less smoking, betel-nut chewing and alcohol drinking habits in male adequate LTPA group was found. The benefits of exercise in male subjects includes lower hemoglobulin A1C (7.4 ± 1.4 vs 7.9 ± 1.8%), lower diastolic blood pressure (80.0 ± 11.6 vs 82.9 ± 12.2 mmHg), triglyceride (136.8 ± 89.0 vs 152.3 ± 114.0), GPT (34.8 ± 29.0 vs 39.8 ± 37.3), Creatinine (1.20 ± 0.45 vs 1.28 ± 0.94). The benefit of exercise in female is lower GPT only (30.6 ± 27.5 vs 34.4 ± 31.2). The difference might be a result of less exercise intensity and volume in female subjects. The mean METs are 3.4 ± 1.1 in male and 3.1± 1.0 in female, P= 0.000, MET min/ week are 1303.7 ± 792.4 (38.5) in male group, 1188.6 ± 757.7 (39.01) in female group respectively, p=0.036. Correlation analysis showed exercise volume is the determinant of better glycemic control. Conclusion: Adequate low to moderate LTPA appears to help the achievement of metabolic risks reduction in male subjects only, who also demonstrated a healthier lifestyle. Exercise intensity and volume were higher in male subjects too. To enhance metabolic benefits from low intensity LTPA, increase of exercise volume is probably needed.
Analysis on the Anti-contact Explosion Failure Patterns of High Strength RC Slabs

Discrete modeling of reinforced concrete was used,and ANSYS/LS-DYNA software was used to numerically simulate the anti-contact explosion failure patterns of high strength reinforced concrete slab,in which steel bar used kinematic hardening model and concrete uses HJC model.The results show that high-strength steel bar,reinforcement ratio and rebar layout have an impact on the explosion crater size and spallation in some extent.Reinforcement ratio is greater,reinforcement spacing smaller,strength of steel higher,collapsed and damaged area is smaller.By comparising with the experimental results,it indicates numerical analysis is in good agreement with the experimental results.
Neurostatus e-Scoring improves consistency of Expanded Disability Status Scale assessments: A proof of concept study

Background: To improve the consistency of standardized Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) assessments, an electronic data capture tool and analysis tool was developed, Neurostatus e-Scoring (NESC). This tool allows real-time feedback by comparing entries with established scoring rules. Objective: To test whether using NESC reduces inconsistencies as compared to the paper-and-pencil version of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (pEDSS). Methods: In all, 100 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were assessed in random order on the same day by pairs of neurologists, one using pEDSS and one NESC. We compared inter-rater reliability and frequency of inconsistencies in Neurostatus subscores, functional system (FS) scores, ambulation and EDSS steps. Results: Inconsistencies of any type were more likely to occur when using pEDSS (mean odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 2.93 (1.62; 5.29)). This was also the case for FS score inconsistencies (2.54 (1.40; 4.61)) and more likely for patients in the lower EDSS range (⩽3.5 vs >3.5) (5.32 (1.19; 23.77)). Overall, inter-rater agreement for the assessed Neurostatus subscores was high (median and inter-quartile range = 0.84 (0.73, 0.81)). Conclusion: Our data provide class II evidence that the use of NESC increases consistency of standardized EDSS assessments, and may thus have the potential to decrease noise and increase power of MS clinical trials.
Predicting dengue outbreak in the metropolitan city Lahore, Pakistan, using dengue vector indices and selected climatological variables as predictors.

OBJECTIVE Dengue viruses have rapidly spread in Southeast Asia, particularly in Pakistan, during the last few years, so the present study was undertaken to formulate a model for predicting dengue outbreak. METHODOLOGY A panel data using STRATA statistical software was employed to determine the effects of entomological indices, Per Man Hour Density (PMHD), Minimum Infection Rate (MIR) and selected climatic variables on dengue patients by using Fixed Effects (FE) and Random Effects (RE) models. RESULTS Results showed that R2 value, reflecting fitness of model was 0.3026 in FE model and 0.3028 in RE model, while the Coefficient and P [Z] values in RE model, indicating individual fitness of any variable in the model, revealed that PMHD, MIR, Air Temperature and Relative Humidity had positive impact on the number of dengue patients, while rainfall exhibited negative impact. CONCLUSIONS For every 10 unit rise in PMHD, MIR, atmospheric temperature and relative humidity, the number of patients increased by 4.01, 15.88, 3.10 and 5.73, respectively, while an increase in rainfall by 10 mm will result in decrease in the number of dengue patients by -1.01. Further analysis of socioeconomic and demographic variables of participants is suggested.