Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution of facial innervation in anomodont therapsids (Synapsida): Insights from X‐ray computerized microtomography

Anomodontia was the most successful herbivorous clade of the mammalian stem lineage (non‐mammalian synapsids) during the late Permian and Early Triassic. Among anomodonts, Dicynodontia stands apart because of the presence of an osseous beak that shows evidence of the insertion of a cornified sheath, the ramphotheca. In this study, fourteen anomodont specimens were microCT‐scanned and their trigeminal canals reconstructed digitally to understand the origin and evolution of trigeminal nerve innervation of the ramphotheca. We show that the pattern of innervation of the anomodont “beak” is more similar to that in chelonians (the nasopalatine branch is enlarged and innervates the premaxillary part of the ramphotheca) than in birds (where the nasopalatine and maxillary branches play minor roles). The nasopalatine branch is noticeably enlarged in the beak‐less basal anomodont Patranomodon, suggesting that this could be an anomodont or chainosaur synapomorphy. Our analyses suggest that the presence or absence of tusks and postcanine teeth are often accompanied by corresponding variations of the rami innervating the caniniform process and the alveolar region, respectively. The degree of ossification of the canal for the nasal ramus of the ophthalmic branch also appears to correlate with the presence of a nasal boss. The nasopalatine canal is absent from the premaxilla in the Bidentalia as they uniquely show a large plexus formed by the internal nasal branch of the maxillary canal instead. The elongated shape of this plexus in Lystrosaurus supports the hypothesis that the rostrum evolved as an elongation of the subnarial region of the snout. Finally, the atrophied and variable aspect of the trigeminal canals in Myosaurus supports the hypothesis that this genus had a reduced upper ramphotheca.
Design of 5G Full Dimension Massive MIMO Systems

This paper discusses full-dimension multiple-input-multiple-output (FD-MIMO) technology, which is currently an active area of research and standardization in wireless communications for evolution toward Fifth Generation (5G) cellular systems. FD-MIMO utilizes an active antenna system (AAS) with a 2-D planar array structure that not only allows a large number of antenna elements to be packed within feasible base station form factors, but also provides the ability of adaptive electronic beamforming in the 3-D space. However, the compact structure of large-scale planar arrays drastically increases the spatial correlation in FD-MIMO systems. In order to account for its effects, the generalized spatial correlation functions for channels constituted by individual elements and overall antenna ports in the AAS are derived. Exploiting the quasi-static channel covariance matrices of users, the problem of determining the optimal downtilt weight vector for antenna ports, which maximizes the minimum signal-to-interference ratio of a multi-user multiple-input-single-output system, is formulated as a fractional optimization problem. A quasi-optimal solution is obtained through the application of semi-definite relaxation and Dinkelbach’s method. Finally, the user-group specific elevation beamforming scenario is devised, which offers significant performance gains as confirmed through simulations. These results have direct application in the analysis of 5G FD-MIMO systems.
Tissue-infiltrating neutrophils represent the main source of IL-23 in the colon of patients with IBD

Objective In IBD, interleukin-23 (IL-23) and its receptor (IL-23R) are implicated in disease initiation and progression. Novel insight into which cells produce IL-23 at the site of inflammation at an early stage of IBD will promote the development of new tools for diagnosis, treatment and patient monitoring. We examined the cellular source of IL-23 in colon tissue of untreated newly diagnosed paediatric patients with IBD. Design Colon tissues from IBD and non-IBD patients were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and flow cytometry after appropriate sample preparation. Blood samples from IBD and non-IBD patients and healthy controls were analysed using flow cytometry and qPCR. Results We discovered that tissue-infiltrating neutrophils were the main source of IL-23 in the colon of paediatric patients with IBD, while IL-23+ human leucocyte antigen-DR+ or IL-23+CD14+ cells were scarce or non-detectable, respectively. The colonic IL-23+ neutrophils expressed C-X-C motif (CXC)R1 and CXCR2, receptors for the CXC ligand 8 (CXCL8) chemokine family, and a corresponding CXCR1+CXCR2+IL-23+subpopulation of neutrophils was also identified in the blood of both patients with IBD and healthy individuals. However, CXCL8-family chemokines were only elevated in colon tissue from patients with IBD. Conclusions This study provides the first evidence of CXCR1+CXCR2+IL-23-producing neutrophils that infiltrate and accumulate in inflamed colon tissue of patients with IBD. Thus, this novel source of IL-23 may play a key role in disease progression and will be important to take into consideration in the development of future strategies to monitor, treat and prevent IBD.
Monodic temporal resolution

Until recently, First-Order Temporal Logic (FOTL) has been only partially understood. While it is well known that the full logic has no finite axiomatisation, a more detailed analysis of fragments of the logic was not previously available. However, a breakthrough by Hodkinson et al., identifying a finitely axiomatisable fragment, termed the monodic fragment, has led to improved understanding of FOTL. Yet, in order to utilise these theoretical advances, it is important to have appropriate proof techniques for this monodic fragment.In this paper, we modify and extend the clausal temporal resolution technique, originally developed for propositional temporal logics, to enable its use in such monodic fragments. We develop a specific normal form for monodic formulae in FOTL, and provide a complete resolution calculus for formulae in this form. Not only is this clausal resolution technique useful as a practical proof technique for certain monodic classes, but the use of this approach provides us with increased understanding of the monodic fragment. In particular, we here show how several features of monodic FOTL can be established as corollaries of the completeness result for the clausal temporal resolution method. These include definitions of new decidable monodic classes, simplification of existing monodic classes by reductions, and completeness of clausal temporal resolution in the case of monodic logics with expanding domains, a case with much significance in both theory and practice.
Online Strip Packing with Polynomial Migration

We consider the relaxed online strip packing problem: Rectangular items arrive online and have to be packed without rotations into a strip of fixed width such that the packing height is minimized. Thereby, repacking of previously packed items is allowed. The amount of repacking is measured by the migration factor, defined as the total size of repacked items divided by the size of the arriving item. First, we show that no algorithm with constant migration factor can produce solutions with asymptotic ratio better than 4/3. Against this background, we allow amortized migration, i.e. to save migration for a later time step. As a main result, we present an AFPTAS with asymptotic ratio $1 + \mathcal{O}(\epsilon)$ for any $\epsilon > 0$ and amortized migration factor polynomial in $1 / \epsilon$. To our best knowledge, this is the first algorithm for online strip packing considered in a repacking model.
Probiotics for experimental obesity prevention: focus on strain dependence and viability of composition.

INTRODUCTION a comparative animal study of the efficacy of intermittent short-course administration of lyophilised single-, three-, and live multistrain probiotic on obesity. METHODS We included 70 rats divided into seven groups (n = 10 in each). Rats of group I were intact. Newborn rats of groups II-VII were injected with monosodium glutamate (MSG) (4 mg/g). Rats of group II (MSG-obesity group) were untreated. The group III-V received lyophilised monoprobiotics B. animalis VKL, B. animalis VKB, and L. casei IMVB-7280, respectively. Group VI received the mix of these three probiotic strains. Group VII was treated with multiprobiotic "Symbiter", which contains 14 live probiotic strains (Lactobacillus, Bifi-dobacterium, Propionibacterium, Acetobacter genera). RESULTS Neonatal treatment with MSG caused stunted growth, which is why, despite the lack of weight gain dynamics and absence of significant food consumption rate and body weight changes at day 120, we noted the development of obesity in all MSG-obesity rats and in up to 20-70% after probiotic administration. Supplementation of probiotic composition, with preference to live strains, led to a significantly lower prevalence of obesity, and reduction of VAT weight and serum lipid levels as compared to single-strain probiotic. In our comparative single-strain analysis a trend towards more pronounced hypolipidaemic effect and VAT weight reduction was observed for lyophilised L. casei IMVB-7280 as compared to B. animalis VKL and VKB strains. CONCLUSIONS Multistrain formed mutualistic interactions in mixtures and therefore able to share with different metabolites, affect differ-ent receptors and produced various of biologically active compounds which synergistic overall effect greater than the sum of the single effects.
Surrogate-Assisted Genetic Programming With Simplified Models for Automated Design of Dispatching Rules

Automated design of dispatching rules for production systems has been an interesting research topic over the last several years. Machine learning, especially genetic programming (GP), has been a powerful approach to dealing with this design problem. However, intensive computational requirements, accuracy and interpretability are still its limitations. This paper aims at developing a new surrogate assisted GP to help improving the quality of the evolved rules without significant computational costs. The experiments have verified the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithms as compared to those in the literature. Furthermore, new simplification and visualisation approaches have also been developed to improve the interpretability of the evolved rules. These approaches have shown great potentials and proved to be a critical part of the automated design system.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) TUMORS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF LIFE: The Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Experience, 1979–2005

Background: The authors report the experience at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles with brain tumors diagnosed before 6 months of age, describing the characteristics of the patients, their tumors, treatment strategies, and prognostic factors. Methods: Thirty-three children who were identified between 1979 and 2005 were included. Twelve were female (36%). There were 11 gliomas, 9 choroid plexus tumors, 8 medulloblastomas and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET), 2 atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRT), and 1 each of ependymoma, craniopharyngioma, and immature teratoma. Locations of primary tumors included 21 supratentorial (64%) and 7 posterior fossa, and 5 tumors involved both compartments. The treatment strategies included 5 patients with biopsy only, 18 less than gross total resections (<GTRx), and 9 GTRx. Fourteen children (42%) received chemotherapy. Three patients (9%) received irradiation, 1 at initial diagnosis and 2 at relapse. Nine patients (27%) demonstrated metastases, 6 at diagnosis and 3 at relapse. Results: The Kaplan Meier analysis of event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients is 21 ± 9% and 35 ± 9% at 5 years. For the glioma patients, the 4-year OS is 48 ± 17%, while the 5-year OS for the medulloblastoma/PNET/ATRT patients is 12 ± 11% (p = .39). The 5-year OS for children achieving a GTRx is 64 ± 21% and for those with <GTRx is 27 ± 10% (p = .08).
Leverage and Disagreement

I build a model of the cross section of leverage ratios for borrowers based on heterogenous beliefs about future asset returns and endogenous collateral constraints. In equilibrium, borrowers and lenders are matched in an assortative way according to their relative optimism through hedonic interest rates, which are disconnected from risk aversion or expected default probabilities. Under minimal assumptions on the underlying distribution of beliefs, the leverage ratio distribution of borrowers is Pareto in the upper tail, a prediction verified in micro-level administrative data for homeowners, publicly available data for entrepreneurs and in the TASS database for hedge funds. Expected and realized returns to levered portfolios are very skewed and fat tailed, even when heterogeneity in beliefs vanishes. The market features a high degree of customization and fragmentation, as many real world financial markets which are organized over-the-counter. Pyramiding lending arrangements (equivalently tranching) result from the desire of lenders to leverage themselves into these allocative interest rates; extended with short-sales, the model provides an equilibrium characterization of short interest and rebate rates. Finally, the leverage ratio distribution of borrowers provides useful information on the buildup of risk, an insight I illustrate using data for the US housing market between 1987 and 2012.
Serum vitamin D and the risk of Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether serum vitamin D level predicts the risk of Parkinson disease. DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING The study was based on the Mini-Finland Health Survey, which was conducted from 1978 to 1980, with Parkinson disease occurrence follow-up through the end of 2007. During the 29-year follow-up period, 50 incident Parkinson disease cases occurred. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was determined from frozen samples stored at baseline. Estimates of the relationship between serum vitamin D concentration and Parkinson disease incidence were calculated using the Cox model. PARTICIPANTS Three thousand one hundred seventy-three men and women, aged 50 to 79 years and free of Parkinson disease at baseline. Main Outcome Measure Parkinson disease incidence. RESULTS Individuals with higher serum vitamin D concentrations showed a reduced risk of Parkinson disease. The relative risk between the highest and lowest quartiles was 0.33 (95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.80) after adjustment for sex, age, marital status, education, alcohol consumption, leisure-time physical activity, smoking, body mass index, and month of blood draw. CONCLUSIONS The results are consistent with the suggestion that high vitamin D status provides protection against Parkinson disease. It cannot, however, be excluded that the finding is due to residual confounding and further studies are thus needed.
Molecular mechanisms and functions of pyroptosis, inflammatory caspases and inflammasomes in infectious diseases

Cell death is a fundamental biological phenomenon that is essential for the survival and development of an organism. Emerging evidence also indicates that cell death contributes to immune defense against infectious diseases. Pyroptosis is a form of inflammatory programmed cell death pathway activated by human and mouse caspase‐1, human caspase‐4 and caspase‐5, or mouse caspase‐11. These inflammatory caspases are used by the host to control bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoan pathogens. Pyroptosis requires cleavage and activation of the pore‐forming effector protein gasdermin D by inflammatory caspases. Physical rupture of the cell causes release of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐18, alarmins and endogenous danger‐associated molecular patterns, signifying the inflammatory potential of pyroptosis. Here, we describe the central role of inflammatory caspases and pyroptosis in mediating immunity to infection and clearance of pathogens.
Sliding mode type-2 fuzzy control of robotic arm using ellipsoidal membership functions

Several papers claim that the performance of the type-2 fuzzy logic systems is superior over their type-1 counterparts, especially under noisy conditions. In order to show the effectiveness of the noise reduction capabilities of the type-2 fuzzy logic systems, a novel type-2 fuzzy membership function, ellipsoidal membership function, has recently been proposed. The novel membership function has certain values on both ends of the support and the kernel, and some uncertain values on the other values of the support. The parameters responsible for the width of uncertainty are decoupled from the parameters responsible for the center and the support of the membership function. In this study, a sliding mode control theory based learning algorithm has been proposed to tune the consequent part parameters tuning of the ellipsoidal type-2 fuzzy membership functions. The applicability of the novel membership function with the proposed novel parameter update rules has been shown on the control of a 2DOF robotic arm. The simulation results show that the type-2 fuzzy neural networks working in parallel with conventional PD controllers have the ability of controlling the robotic arm with a high accuracy especially under noisy conditions.
Outage Detection Using Load and Line Flow Measurements in Power Distribution Systems

An outage detection framework for power distribution networks is proposed. Given the tree structure of a distribution system, a detection method is developed combining the use of real-time power flow measurements on the edges of the tree with load forecasts at the nodes of the tree. The maximum likelihood detection decision for an arbitrary number of outages is shown to be efficiently computable due to decoupling across local areas determined by the sensor locations. To minimize the maximum missed detection probability, the optimal sensor placement is efficiently computed as well. Finally, a set of case studies is conducted using feeder data from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories. It is shown that <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> mean detection error probability can be achieved by a sensor density of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> $30\%$</tex-math></inline-formula> for a typical feeder with the proposed optimal sensor placement and outage detection methods.
Data Mining Based Root-Cause Analysis of Performance Bottleneck for Big Data Workload

Straggler task is commonly considered as the major bottleneck in parallel data processing. Previous work mainly focuses on the coarse-grained straggler detection and optimization such as speculative scheduling. However, fine-grained root-cause analysis of straggler tasks is rarely considered. In addition, existing work simply depends on empirical analysis, which lacks of useful guidance to performance optimization. In this paper, we propose a new methodology of fine-grained straggler root-cause analysis using machine learning. We collect raw metrics from Spark event log and hardware sampling tool, and refine them into high-level metrics for model learning. Then we present the root-cause analysis of stragglers through CART tree. A customized prune method is also applied to improve analysis accuracy. From the analysis, we derive several new findings beyond the well known causes of stragglers. Our work provides a new perspective on identifying and understanding the inefficiency in parallel data processing programs by applying machine learning techniques to fine-grained root-cause analysis of straggler tasks.
Pcdhαc2 is required for axonal tiling and assembly of serotonergic circuitries in mice

Pattern formation in the brain Neurons in the developing brain cooperate to build circuits. Mountoufaris et al. found that ∼50 variable protocadherin genes support a combinatorial identity code that allows millions of olfactory neuron axons to sort into ∼2000 glomeruli. Sharing olfactory receptors drives axons to one glomerulus, and protocadherin diversity allows the multiple axons to touch each other as they converge. On the other hand, Chen et al. found that a single C-type protocadherin underlies the tiled distribution of serotonergic neurons throughout the central nervous system. These neurons, which share protocadherin identity, enervate broad swaths evenly without touching neighboring neurons. Science, this issue p. 411, p. 406 A protocadherin isoform mediates repulsion between serotonergic axon terminals to allow their tiled arrangements in target fields. Serotonergic neurons project their axons pervasively throughout the brain and innervate various target fields in a space-filling manner, leading to tiled arrangements of their axon terminals to allow optimal allocation of serotonin among target neurons. Here we show that conditional deletion of the mouse protocadherin α (Pcdhα) gene cluster in serotonergic neurons disrupts local axonal tiling and global assembly of serotonergic circuitries and results in depression-like behaviors. Genetic dissection and expression profiling revealed that this role is specifically mediated by Pcdhαc2, which is the only Pcdhα isoform expressed in serotonergic neurons. We conclude that, in contrast to neurite self-avoidance, which requires single-cell identity mediated by Pcdh diversity, a single cell-type identity mediated by the common C-type Pcdh isoform is required for axonal tiling and assembly of serotonergic circuitries.
The Role of Nursing Homes in the Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance Over the Healthcare Network

OBJECTIVE Recerntly, the role of the healthcare network, defined as a set of hospitals linked by patient transfers, has been increasingly considered in the control of antimicrobial resistance. Here, we investigate the potential impact of nursing homes on the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens across the healthcare network and its importance for control strategies. METHODS Based on patient transfer data, we designed a network model representing the Dutch healthcare system of hospitals and nursing homes. We simulated the spread of an antimicrobial-resistant pathogen across the healthcare network, and we modeled transmission within institutions using a stochastic susceptible–infected–susceptible (SIS) epidemic model. Transmission between institutions followed transfers. We identified the contribution of nursing homes to the dispersal of the pathogen by comparing simulations of the network with and without nursing homes. RESULTS Our results strongly suggest that nursing homes in the Netherlands have the potential to drive and sustain epidemics across the healthcare network. Even when the daily probability of transmission in nursing homes is much lower than in hospitals, transmission of resistance can be more effective because of the much longer length of stay of patients in nursing homes. CONCLUSIONS If an antimicrobial-resistant pathogen emerges that spreads easily within nursing homes, control efforts aimed at hospitals may no longer be effective in preventing nationwide outbreaks. It is important to consider nursing homes in planning regional and national infection control and in implementing surveillance systems that monitor the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:761–767