Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GEOMETRIC DIFFUSIONS AS A TOOL FOR HARMONIC ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURE DEFINITION OF DATA PART I: DIFFUSION MAPS

We provide a framework for structural multiscale geometric organization of graphs and subsets of Rn. We use diffusion semigroups to generate multiscale geometries in order to organize and represent complex structures. We show that appropriately selected eigenfunctions or scaling functions of Markov matrices, which describe local transitions, lead to macroscopic descriptions at different scales. The process of iterating or diffusing the Markov matrix is seen as a generalization of some aspects of the Newtonian paradigm, in which local infinitesimal transitions of a system lead to global macroscopic descriptions by integration. In Part I below, we provide a unified view of ideas from data analysis, machine learning and numerical analysis. In Part II [1], we augment this approach by introducing fast orderN algorithms for homogenization of heterogeneous structures as well as for data representation.
Tumor-Shed PGE2 Impairs IL2Rγc-Signaling to Inhibit CD4+ T Cell Survival: Regulation by Theaflavins

Background Many tumors are associated with decreased cellular immunity and elevated levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a known inhibitor of CD4+ T cell activation and inducer of type-2 cytokine bias. However, the role of this immunomodulator in the survival of T helper cells remained unclear. Since CD4+ T cells play critical roles in cell-mediated immunity, detail knowledge of the effect tumor-derived PGE2 might have on CD4+ T cell survival and the underlying mechanism may, therefore, help to overcome the overall immune deviation in cancer. Methodology/Principal Findings By culturing purified human peripheral CD4+ T cells or Jurkat cells with spent media of theaflavin- or celecoxib-pre-treated MCF-7 cells, we show that tumor-shed PGE2 severely impairs interleukin 2 receptor γc (IL2Rγc)-mediated survival signaling in CD4+ T cells. Indeed, tumor-shed PGE2 down-regulates IL2Rγc expression, reduces phosphorylation as well as activation of Janus kinase 3 (Jak-3)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (Stat-5) and decreases Bcl-2/Bax ratio thereby leading to activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Constitutively active Stat-5A (Stat-5A1*6) over-expression efficiently elevates Bcl-2 levels in CD4+ T cells and protects them from tumor-induced death while dominant-negative Stat-5A over-expression fails to do so, indicating the importance of Stat-5A-signaling in CD4+ T cell survival. Further support towards the involvement of PGE2 comes from the results that (a) purified synthetic PGE2 induces CD4+ T cell apoptosis, and (b) when knocked out by small interfering RNA, cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2)-defective tumor cells fail to initiate death. Interestingly, the entire phenomena could be reverted back by theaflavins that restore cytokine-dependent IL2Rγc/Jak-3/Stat-5A signaling in CD4+ T cells thereby protecting them from tumor-shed PGE2-induced apoptosis. Conclusions/Significance These data strongly suggest that tumor-shed PGE2 is an important factor leading to CD4+ T cell apoptosis during cancer and raise the possibility that theaflavins may have the potential as an effective immunorestorer in cancer-bearer.
Stable Nash equilibria of ALOHA medium access games under symmetric, socially altruistic behavior

We consider the effects of altruistic behavior on random medium access control (slotted ALOHA) for local area communication networks. For an idealized, synchronously iterative, two-player game with asymmetric player demands, we find a Lyapunov function governing the “better-response” Jacobi dynamics under purely altruistic behavior. Though the positions of the interior Nash equilibrium points do not change in the presence of altruistic behavior, the nature of their local asymptotic stability does. There is a region of partially altruistic behavior for which both interior Nash equilibrium points are locally asymptotically stable. Variations of these altruistic game frameworks are discussed considering power (instead of throughput) based costs and linear utility functions.
Convergence results for ant routing algorithms via stochastic approximation and optimization

Ant algorithms" have been proposed to solve a variety of problems arising in optimization and distributed control. They form a subset of the larger class of "swarm intelligence" algorithms. The central idea is that a 'swarm' of relatively simple agents can interact through simple mechanisms and collectively solve complex problems. Instances that exemplify the above idea abound in nature. The abilities of ant colonies to collectively accomplish complex tasks have served as sources of inspiration for the design of "ant algorithms". Examples of "ant algorithms" are "ant routing" algorithms that have been proposed for communication networks. We analyze in this paper an ant-based routing algorithm for packet-switched wireline networks. The algorithm is an attractive multiple path probabilistic routing scheme, that is fully adaptive and distributed. Using methods from adaptive algorithms and stochastic approximation, we show that the evolution of the link delay estimates can be closely tracked by a deterministic ODE system. A study of the equilibrium points of the ODE then gives us the equilibrium behavior of the routing algorithm, in particular, the equilibrium routing probabilities, and mean delays in the links under equilibrium. We also show that the fixed-point equations that the equilibrium probabilities satisfy are actually the necessary and sufficient conditions of an appropriate optimization problem. Simulations supporting the analytical results are provided.
Innateness in the Sciences: Separating Nature, Nurture, and Nativism

Title of dissertation: INNATENESS IN THE SCIENCES: SEPARATING NATURE, NURTURE, AND NATIVISM Mark Engelbert, Doctor of Philosophy, 2015 Dissertation directed by: Professor Georges Rey Department of Philosophy Scientists across the life sciences routinely appeal to notions of “innate” or “genetic” traits to explain developmental phenomena, and the idea of “innate” differences among people has figured prominently in some explanations of observed social inequality. This dissertation is an analysis of these concepts, which proceeds in two parts. Part I explores various philosophical issues related to the use of innateness as an explanatory concept, while Part II examines controversial claims that genetic differences among racial groups account for observed social inequality. I argue throughout that much disagreement about innateness arises from innocuous differences in explanatory goals and interests among different scientific research programs. Nevertheless, some proponents of genetic racial differences rely on understandings of “genetic” traits that conflict with the moral commitments of a just society. Part I begins with arguments for a contextual and pragmatic approach to scientific explanation: in order for an explanation to be a good one, it must cite causes that are relevant to our interests in the explanatory context. I then apply this framework to biology and psychology, showing how different contexts call for different interpretations of innateness. I conclude Part I by responding to arguments that aim to establish a single meaning for “innate”/“genetic” across all explanatory contexts. Part II examines the use of “innate” and “genetic” concepts in developmental biology and population genetics, and applies the lessons of this examination to debates about alleged racial differences in genes for intelligence. I show that “hereditarians,” who argue for innate racial differences, employ an explanatory framework that abstracts away from substantial complexity in developmental interactions between genes and environments. While this framework is adequate for certain purposes, it is poorly suited to designing interventions capable of eliminating racial IQ differences and attendant social inequality. I propose an alternative, mechanistic framework that promotes understanding of developmental complexity and design of effective interventions. I argue that a full commitment to racial equality demands that we adopt this latter framework, and to the extent that hereditarians resist doing so, their work exhibits some racist tendencies. INNATENESS IN THE SCIENCES: SEPARATING NATURE, NURTURE, AND NATIVISM
The Macroeconomics of Demographic Unemployment/Makrookonomik der demographischen Arbeitslosigkeit

"What are the macroeconomic consequences of an increase in labour supply? In the short run, unemployment occurs, due to both lack of aggregate demand and capital shortage. Demand-side policy and money wage restraint prove to be ineffective in this situation, owing to capital shortage. On the other hand, a reduction in working hours without wage compensation as well as a policy mix of both demand-side policy and investment policy turn out to be effective. The reduction in working hours lowers individual income and raises individual leisure, as compared to the policy mix. " (SUMMARY IN GER)
STATE OF THE ART OF LEARNING STYLES-BASED ADAPTIVE EDUCATIONAL HYPERMEDIA SYSTEMS (LS-BAEHSS)

The notion that learning can be enhanced when a teaching approach matches a learner’s learning style has been widely accepted in classroom settings since the latter represents a predictor of student’s attitude and preferences. As such, the traditional approach of ‘one-size-fits-all’ as may be applied to teaching delivery in Educational Hypermedia Systems (EHSs) has to be changed with an approach that responds to users’ needs by exploiting their individual differences. However, establishing and implementing reliable approaches for matching the teaching delivery and modalities to learning styles still represents an innovation challenge which has to be tackled. In this paper, seventy six studies are objectively analysed for several goals. In order to reveal the value of integrating learning styles in EHSs, different perspectives in this context are discussed. Identifying the most effective learning style models as incorporated within AEHSs. Investigating the effectiveness of different approaches for modelling students’ individual learning traits is another goal of this study. Thus, the paper highlights a number of theoretical and technical issues of LS-BAEHSs to serve as a comprehensive guidance for researchers who interest in this area.
Queer Globalizations: Citizenship and the Afterlife of Colonialism

1 The Wily Homosexual (First-and Necessarily Hasty-Notes) 2 Dissident Globalizations, Emancipatory Methods, Social-Erotics 3 "There Are No Lesbians Here": Lesbianisms, Feminisms, and Global Gay Formations 4 Can Homosexuals End Western Civilization As We Know It? Family Values in a Global Economy 5 Family Affairs: The Discourse of Global/Localization 6 Redecorating the International Economy: Keynes, Grant, and the Queering of Bretton Woods 7 Consuming Lifestyle: Commodity Capitalism and Transformations in Gay Identity 8 Local Sites/Global Contexts: The Transnational Trajectories of Deepa Mehta's Fire\ 9 Dancing La Vida Loca: The Queer Nuyorican Performances of Arthur Aviles and Elizabeth Marrero 10 Syncretic Religion and Dissident Sexualities 11 Stealth Bombers of Desire: The Globalization of "Alterity" in Emerging Democracies 12 "Strangers on a Train": Sexual Citizenship and the Politics of Public Transportation in Apartheid Cape Town 13 Like Blood for Chocolate, Like Queers for Vampires: Border and Global Consumption in Rodriguez, Tarantino, Arau, Esquivel, and Troyano (Notes on Baroque, Camp, Kitsch, and Hybridization)
Security of mobile health (mHealth) systems

mHealth is a growing field that enables individuals to monitor their health status and facilitates the sharing of medical records with physicians and between hospitals anytime and anywhere. Unfortunately, smartphones and mHealth applications are still vulnerable to a wide range of security threats due to their portability and weaknesses in management and design. Nevertheless, mHealth users are becoming more aware of the security and privacy issues related to their personal healthcare information. This survey discusses the security and privacy issues in current mHealth systems and their impact. We also discuss the latest threats, attacks and proposed countermeasures that could support secure sensitive mHealth systems. Finally, we conclude with a brief summary of open security problems that still need to be addressed in the mHealth field.
The 'hedonic' in human-computer interaction: history, contributions, and future research directions

Over the recent years, the notion of a non-instrumental, hedonic quality of interactive products received growing interest. Based on a review of 151 publications, we summarize more than ten years research on the hedonic to provide an overview of definitions, assessment tools, antecedents, consequences, and correlates. We highlight a number of contributions, such as introducing experiential value to the practice of technology design and a better prediction of overall quality judgments and product acceptance. In addition, we suggest a number of areas for future research, such as providing richer, more nuanced models and tools for quantitative and qualitative analysis, more research on the consequences of using hedonic products and a better understanding of when the hedonic plays a role and when not.
A utility model for sensory experience

Enriching multimedia with additional effects such as olfaction, light, wind, or vibration is gaining more and more momentum in both research and industry. Hence, there is the need to determine the influence of individual effects on the Quality of Experience (QoE). In this paper, we present a subjective quality assessment using the MPEG-V standard to annotate video sequences with individual sensory effects (i.e., wind, light, and vibration) and all combinations thereof. Based on the results we derive a utility model for sensory experience that accounts for the assessed sensory effects. Finally, we provide an example instantiation of the utility model and validate it against current and past results of our subjective quality assessments conducted so far.
Knockdown of UBE2T Inhibits Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion by Suppressing the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T), a member of the E2 family, was found to be overexpressed in a great many cancers such as bladder cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. However, there have been no reports on the role of UBE2T in osteosarcoma. In this study, we tried to make the effects of UBE2T on osteosarcoma clear. The study results showed that UBE2T was overexpressed in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. Moreover, UBE2T knockdown inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We also observed that UBE2T downregulation could suppress the activity of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, we concluded that UBE2T exerted its inhibitory effects on osteosarcoma cells via suppressing the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings indicated that UBE2T may be a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma treatment.
A machine learning-based approach for estimating available bandwidth

In this paper, we propose a machine learning-based approach for estimating available bandwidth. We evaluate the approach via simulations using two probing models: a packet train probing model and a pathChirp-likeprobing model. The simulation results show that the former cannot yield accurate estimates in our system; however, using the pathChirp-like probing model, the proposed approach can estimate the available bandwidth with moderate traffic overhead more accurately than two widely used tools, pathChirp and Spruce. Moreover, we propose a normalization method that improves our approach's ability to estimate available bandwidth, even if there are no samples with similar properties to the measured path in the training dataset. The effectiveness and simplicity of this novel approach make it a promising scheme that goes a long way toward achieving accurate estimation of available bandwidth on Internet paths.
[Psychometric properties of the Dating Abuse Questionnaire in a sample of Mexican female students of middle and higher level].

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to modify and adapt the questionnaire Dating Abuse Italy-Mexico binational version (CMN) to a sample of female students of middle and higher level, from the Federal District and the State of Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cross-sectional study. 2157 students participated, aged between 14 and 33 years old. The reagents were analyzed using item-scale method, and was applied a confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS The CMN showed an internal consistency of α= 0.95, the Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the five theoretical areas planned with satisfactory fit indices. CONCLUSIONS The psychometric characteristics of this version of CMN are adequate to reliably assess abuse in dating.
WINROP Identifies Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity at an Early Stage in a Nation-Based Cohort of Extremely Preterm Infants

Objective To evaluate the ability of a postnatal weight-gain algorithm (WINROP) to identify sight-threatening retinopathy of prematurity (ROP type 1) in a nation-based extremely preterm infant cohort. Methods This study enrolled all 707 live-born extremely preterm (gestational age [GA] <27 weeks) infants, born 2004–2007 in Sweden; the Extremely preterm Infants in Sweden Study (EXPRESS). WINROP analysis was performed retrospectively in 407 of the infants using weekly weight gain to assess the preterm infant’s risk of developing ROP type 1 requiring treatment. GA, birthweight (BW), and weekly postnatal weight measurements were entered into WINROP. WINROP signals with an alarm to indicate if the preterm infant is at risk for ROP type 1. Results In this extremely preterm population, WINROP correctly identified 96% (45/47) of the infants who required treatment for ROP type 1. The median time from alarm to treatment was 9 weeks (range, 4–20 weeks). Conclusions WINROP, an online surveillance system using weekly weight gain, identified extremely preterm infants at risk for ROP type 1 requiring treatment at an early stage and with high sensitivity in a Swedish nation-based cohort.
Speech Recognition in Noise by Children with Minimal Degrees of Sensorineural Hearing loss

Abstract It is well recognized that the acoustical environment in a classroom is an important variable in the psychoeducational achievement of hearing-impaired children. To date, however, there remains a paucity of information concerning the importance of classroom acoustics for children with minimal degrees of sensorineural hearing loss [SNHL). The present investigation examined the effects of commonly reported classroom signal to noise ratios (+6, +3, 0, -3, and -6 dB] on the sentence recognition of 20 normal-hearing children and 20 children with minimal degrees of SNHL [i.e., pure-tone averages of 15-30 dB HL through the speech frequency range]. Results indicated that children with minimal degrees of SNHL obtained poorer recognition scores than normal-hearing children across most listening conditions. Moreover, the performance decrement between the two groups increased as the listening environment became mure adverse. Educational implications of these data, such as acoustical modification of the classroom and/or the utilization of frequency modulation sound field amplification systems, are discussed.
2016 Ieee International Conference on Big Data (big Data) Estimation of Local Subgraph Counts

—Graphlets represent small induced subgraphs and are becoming increasingly important for a variety of applications. Despite the importance of the local subgraph (graphlet) counting problem, existing work focuses mainly on counting graphlets globally over the entire graph. These global counts have been used for tasks such as graph classification as well as for understanding and summarizing the fundamental structural patterns in graphs. In contrast, this work proposes an accurate, efficient, and scalable parallel framework for the more challenging problem of counting graphlets locally for a given edge or set of edges. The local graphlet counts provide a topologically rigorous characterization of the local structure surrounding an edge. The aim of this work is to obtain the count of every graphlet of size k for each edge. The framework gives rise to efficient, parallel, and accurate unbiased estimation methods with provable error bounds, as well as exact algorithms for counting graphlets locally. Experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed exact and estimation methods on various datasets. In particular, the exact methods show strong scaling results (11–16x on 16 cores). Moreover, our estimation framework is accurate with error less than 5% on average.
Coordinated Progression through Two Subtranscriptomes Underlies the Tachyzoite Cycle of Toxoplasma gondii

Background Apicomplexan parasites replicate by varied and unusual processes where the typically eukaryotic expansion of cellular components and chromosome cycle are coordinated with the biosynthesis of parasite-specific structures essential for transmission. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we describe the global cell cycle transcriptome of the tachyzoite stage of Toxoplasma gondii. In dividing tachyzoites, more than a third of the mRNAs exhibit significant cyclical profiles whose timing correlates with biosynthetic events that unfold during daughter parasite formation. These 2,833 mRNAs have a bimodal organization with peak expression occurring in one of two transcriptional waves that are bounded by the transition into S phase and cell cycle exit following cytokinesis. The G1-subtranscriptome is enriched for genes required for basal biosynthetic and metabolic functions, similar to most eukaryotes, while the S/M-subtranscriptome is characterized by the uniquely apicomplexan requirements of parasite maturation, development of specialized organelles, and egress of infectious daughter cells. Two dozen AP2 transcription factors form a series through the tachyzoite cycle with successive sharp peaks of protein expression in the same timeframes as their mRNA patterns, indicating that the mechanisms responsible for the timing of protein delivery might be mediated by AP2 domains with different promoter recognition specificities. Conclusion/Significance Underlying each of the major events in apicomplexan cell cycles, and many more subordinate actions, are dynamic changes in parasite gene expression. The mechanisms responsible for cyclical gene expression timing are likely crucial to the efficiency of parasite replication and may provide new avenues for interfering with parasite growth.
The ATR-Chk1 pathway plays a role in the generation of centrosome aberrations induced by Rad51C dysfunction

Rad51C is a central component of two complexes formed by five Rad51 paralogs in vertebrates. These complexes are involved in repairing DNA double-strand breaks through homologous recombination. Despite accumulating evidence suggesting that the paralogs may prevent aneuploidy by controlling centrosome integrity, Rad51C's role in maintaining chromosome stability remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that Rad51C deficiency leads to both centrosome aberrations in an ATR-Chk1-dependent manner and increased aneuploidy in human cells. While it was reported that Rad51C deficiency did not cause centrosome aberrations in interphase in hamster cells, such aberrations were observed in interphase in HCT116 cells with Rad51C dysfunction. Caffeine treatment and down-regulation of ATR, but not that of ATM, reduced the frequency of centrosome aberrations in the mutant cells. Silencing of Rad51C by RNA interference in HT1080 cells resulted in similar aberrations. Treatment with a Chk1 inhibitor and silencing of Chk1 also reduced the frequency in HCT116 mutants. Accumulation of Chk1 at the centrosome and nuclear foci of γH2AX were increased in the mutants. Moreover, the mutant cells had a higher frequency of aneuploidy. These findings indicate that the ATR-Chk1 pathway plays a role in increased centrosome aberrations induced by Rad51C dysfunction.