Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient local search for L1 and L2 binary matrix factorization

Rank K Binary Matrix Factorization (BMF) approximates a binary matrix by the product of two binary matrices of lower rank, K. Several researchers have addressed this problem, focusing on either approximations of rank 1 or higher, using either the L 1 or L 2-norms for measuring the quality of the approximation. The rank 1 problem (for which the L 1 and L 2-norms are equivalent) has been shown to be related to the Integer Linear Programming (ILP) problem. We first show here that the alternating strategy with the L 2-norm, at the core of several methods used to solve BMF, can be reformulated as an Unconstrained Binary Quadratic Programming (UBQP) problem. This reformulation allows us to use local search procedures designed for UBQP in order to improve the solutions of BMF. We then introduce a new local search dedicated to the BMF problem. We show in particular that this solution is in average faster than the previously proposed ones. We then assess its behavior on several collections and methods and show that it significantly improves methods targeting the L 2-norms on all the datasets considered; for the L 1-norm, the improvement is also significant for real, structured datasets and for the BMF problem without the binary reconstruction constraint.
Respiratory tract viral infections in inner-city asthmatic adults.

BACKGROUND Respiratory tract viral infections (RTVIs) have been identified frequently in association with asthma exacerbations in children, but few studies have shown similar rates of viral infections in adults with asthma. Further studies using newer diagnostic techniques to evaluate the frequency of RTVIs in adults with acute exacerbations of asthma need to be performed. METHODS Twenty-nine asthmatic adults were recruited from the pulmonary clinic of an urban county hospital and were followed up in a longitudinal cohort study for signs and symptoms of asthma and RTVI. One hundred twenty-two asthmatic adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) of the same hospital with acute symptoms of asthma underwent evaluation for RTVI in a cross-sectional prevalence study. In both studies, respiratory secretions and paired serum samples were collected from subjects with acute wheezing episodes and evaluated using virus culture, serologic testing, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS In the longitudinal cohort study, 138 respiratory illnesses, of which 87 were asthma exacerbations, were evaluated; 41% of all illnesses and 44% of asthma exacerbations were associated with an RTVI. In the ED study, 148 asthma exacerbations were evaluated; 55% were associated with an RTVI. An RTVI was identified in 21 (50%) of 42 of the subjects hospitalized in the ED study. Picornaviruses (rhinoviruses), coronaviruses, and influenza viruses were the most commonly identified causes of RTVI. Forty-six (60%) of the 77 picornavirus infections and 22 (71%) of the 31 coronavirus infections were identified only using RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS Asthmatic exacerbations in adults are frequently associated with an RTVI. Identification of such infections often requires newer diagnostic methods, such as virus-specific RT-PCR. The high frequency of RTVIs identified in association with asthmatic exacerbations in adults from the inner city suggests that strategies for the prevention of RTVI should be targeted toward this population.
Assessing the impact of clouds on ground-based UV–visible total column ozone measurements in the high Arctic

Abstract. Zenith-Sky scattered light Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (ZS-DOAS) has been used widely to retrieve total column ozone (TCO). ZS-DOAS measurements have the advantage of being less sensitive to clouds than direct-sun measurements. However, the presence of clouds still affects the quality of ZS-DOAS TCO. Clouds are thought to be the largest contributor to random uncertainty in ZS-DOAS TCO, but their impact on data quality still needs to be quantified. This study has two goals: (1) to investigate whether clouds have a significant impact on ZS-DOAS TCO, and (2) to develop a cloud-screening algorithm to improve ZS-DOAS measurements in the Arctic under cloudy conditions. To quantify the impact of weather, 8 years of measured and modelled TCO have been used, along with information about weather conditions at Eureka, Canada (80.05∘ N, 86.41∘ W). Relative to direct-sun TCO measurements by Brewer spectrophotometers and modelled TCO, a positive bias is found in ZS-DOAS TCO measured in cloudy weather, and a negative bias is found for clear conditions, with differences of up to 5 % between clear and cloudy conditions. A cloud-screening algorithm is developed for high latitudes using the colour index calculated from ZS-DOAS spectra. The quality of ZS-DOAS TCO datasets is assessed using a statistical uncertainty estimation model, which suggests a 3 %–4 % random uncertainty. The new cloud-screening algorithm reduces the random uncertainty by 0.6 %. If all measurements collected during cloudy conditions, as identified using the weather station observations, are removed, the random uncertainty is reduced by 1.3 %. This work demonstrates that clouds are a significant contributor to uncertainty in ZS-DOAS TCO and proposes a method that can be used to screen clouds in high-latitude spectra.
Investigating social tagging and folksonomy in art museums with steve.museum

Museums want audiences to engage with their collections and ideas, but recognize that traditional methods of unidirectional on-line and in-gallery communications have limited access and dialog. Supporting social tagging of museum collections, and providing access based on the resulting folksonomy, opens museum collections to new interpretations that reflect visitors’ perspectives rather than institutional ones. This co-operation between museums and visitors bridges the gap between the professional language of the curator and the popular language of the museum visitor, and helps individuals see their personal meanings and perspectives in public collections. The steve consortium, a collaboration of museum and museum informatics professionals, is developing tools and techniques and exploring the experience of social tagging and folksonomy in the context of art museums; our research questions, prototypes and findings are also relevant to other domains.
Electromagnetic Tracking in Medicine—A Review of Technology, Validation, and Applications

Object tracking is a key enabling technology in the context of computer-assisted medical interventions. Allowing the continuous localization of medical instruments and patient anatomy, it is a prerequisite for providing instrument guidance to subsurface anatomical structures. The only widely used technique that enables real-time tracking of small objects without line-of-sight restrictions is electromagnetic (EM) tracking. While EM tracking has been the subject of many research efforts, clinical applications have been slow to emerge. The aim of this review paper is therefore to provide insight into the future potential and limitations of EM tracking for medical use. We describe the basic working principles of EM tracking systems, list the main sources of error, and summarize the published studies on tracking accuracy, precision and robustness along with the corresponding validation protocols proposed. State-of-the-art approaches to error compensation are also reviewed in depth. Finally, an overview of the clinical applications addressed with EM tracking is given. Throughout the paper, we report not only on scientific progress, but also provide a review on commercial systems. Given the continuous debate on the applicability of EM tracking in medicine, this paper provides a timely overview of the state-of-the-art in the field.
Rheumatoid arthritis, treatment with corticosteroids and risk of malignant lymphomas: results from a case–control study

Background Benefits and risks of corticosteroid treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are debated. Patients with RA are at increased risk of malignant lymphomas. In a large case–control study of risk factors for lymphoma in RA, it was recently reported that steroid treatment was associated with decreased lymphoma risk. Objective To further assess the nature of the association between steroid treatment in RA and the risk of lymphoma. Methods In a cohort of 74 651 patients with RA, 378 patients with lymphoma and 378 matched RA controls were identified, and information on inflammatory activity and different aspects of steroid treatment (duration, therapeutic strategy and mode of administration) abstracted from their medical records. Lymphomas were reclassified (WHO classification) and examined for Epstein–Barr virus. Relative risks were assessed as adjusted odds ratios (ORs) through conditional logistic regression. Results A total duration of oral steroid treatment of <2 years was not associated with lymphoma risk (OR=0.87; 95% CI 0.51 to 1.5), whereas total treatment >2 years was associated with a lower lymphoma risk (OR=0.43; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.72). RA duration at the initiation of oral steroids did not affect lymphoma risk. Intra-articular steroids were associated with a reduced lymphoma risk, but only when used as swift flare treatment (OR=0.22; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.37). Analyses by lymphoma subtype showed a reduced risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (crude OR=0.59; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.94). Conclusion In this RA population, use of steroids was associated with reduced lymphoma risk. Whether this association is a generic effect of steroids or specific to the studied population remains unknown.
Slow light in quantum dot vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers

Slow light in the Technologically important devices InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) Vertical Cavity Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (QD-VCSOAs) is studied. The presented work benefits from the possibility offered by QD-VCSOA structures for operation exclusively at the amplifying regime without reaching threshold unlike Quantum Well (QW) VCSOAs. The mathematical formulation of the main slow down metric based on gain dispersion is presented. The effects of various functional (current, input signal) and structural (inhomogeneity, cavity length, density of dots etc) properties on the optical delay properties of the QD-VCSOA are identified and relevant design strategies are outlined. The numerical investigation concludes that considerably higher Group Delays can be achieved in QD-VCSOAs compared to QW-VCSOAs by means of static (i.e. structural design) and dynamic (i.e. injection current) properties. The results highlight the flexibility (tunability) offered by the QDs in tailoring SL properties of the VCSOA.
Frontal-subcortical circuits and human behavior.

• Objective. —This synthetic review was performed to demonstrate the utility of frontal-subcortical circuits in the explanation of a wide range of human behavioral disorders. Data Sources. —Reports of patients with degenerative disorders or focal lesions involving frontal lobe or linked subcortical structures were chosen from the English literature. Individual case reports and group investigations from peer-reviewed journals were evaluated. Study Selection. —Studies were included if they described patient behavior in detail or reported pertinent neuropsychological findings and had compelling evidence of a disorder affecting frontal-subcortical circuits. Data Extraction. —Information was used if the report from which it was taken met study selection criteria. Data Synthesis. —Five parallel segregated circuits link the frontal lobe and subcortical structures. Clinical syndromes observed with frontal lobe injury are recapitulated with lesions of subcortical member structures of the circuits. Each prefrontal circuit has a signature behavioral syndrome: executive function deficits occur with lesions of the dorsolateral prefrontal circuit, disinhibition with lesions of the orbitofrontal circuit, and apathy with injury to the anterior cingulate circuit. Depression, mania, and obsessivecompulsive disorder may also be mediated by frontalsubcortical circuits. Movement disorders identify involvement of the basal ganglia component of frontal-subcortical circuits. Conclusions. —Frontal-subcortical circuits mediate many aspects of human behavior.
Crosslinking actin networks produces compressive force

Actin has been shown to be essential for clathrin-mediated endocytosis in yeast. However, actin polymerization alone is likely insufficient to produce enough force to deform the membrane against the huge turgor pressure of yeast cells. In this paper, we used Brownian dynamics simulations to demonstrate that crosslinking of a meshwork of non-polymerizing actin filaments is able to produce compressive forces. We show that the force can be up to thousands of piconewtons if the crosslinker has a high stiffness. The force decays over time as a result of crosslinker turnover, and is a result of converting chemical binding energy into elastic energy.
Bacterial‐induced calcium oscillations are common to nitrogen‐fixing associations of nodulating legumes and non‐legumes

Summary Plants that form root‐nodule symbioses are within a monophyletic ‘nitrogen‐fixing’ clade and associated signalling processes are shared with the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Central to symbiotic signalling are nuclear‐associated oscillations in calcium ions (Ca2+), occurring in the root hairs of several legume species in response to the rhizobial Nod factor signal. In this study we expanded the species analysed for activation of Ca2+ oscillations, including non‐leguminous species within the nitrogen‐fixing clade. We showed that Ca2+ oscillations are a common feature of legumes in their association with rhizobia, while Cercis, a non‐nodulating legume, does not show Ca2+ oscillations in response to Nod factors from Sinorhizobium fredii NGR234. Parasponia andersonii, a non‐legume that can associate with rhizobia, showed Nod factor‐induced calcium oscillations to S. fredii NGR234 Nod factors, but its non‐nodulating sister species, Trema tomentosa, did not. Also within the nitrogen‐fixing clade are actinorhizal species that associate with Frankia bacteria and we showed that Alnus glutinosa induces Ca2+ oscillations in root hairs in response to exudates from Frankia alni, but not to S. fredii NGR234 Nod factors. We conclude that the ability to mount Ca2+ oscillations in response to symbiotic bacteria is a common feature of nodulating species within the nitrogen‐fixing clade.
Characteristics of Interferon Induced in vitro and in vivo by a TRIC Agent.∗

Summary A TRIG agent (LB-1), a member of the psittacosis-LGV-trachoma group, can induce the production in vivo and in vitro of a material with antiviral activity similar to virus-induced interferon. The interferon induced in cell culture by LB-1 had a molecular weight of about 50,000 and hence appeared to differ significantly from virus-induced interferon prepared in cell culture or in vivo. Addendum: The peak of TRIC-induced interferon production in serum of mice is late (6-13 hours), similar to that of virus(3), brucella(3), or statalon(lO), but distinct from the early (2 hour) peak appearing after endotoxin(4).
Highly efficient localization of pathological glands in primary hyperparathyroidism using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in comparison with conventional ultrasonography.

INTRODUCTION Preoperative detection of parathyroid gland adenoma in the presence of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) represents a diagnostic challenge. We present the first prospective study with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) as the central diagnostic tool for the preoperative localization of parathyroid gland adenoma in pHPT in comparison with conventional ultrasonography. METHODS Between July 2010 and December 2011, 75 consecutive patients underwent surgery for pHPT. In all patients, conventional ultrasonography and CEUS were performed prospectively for localization of pathological parathyroid glands. Twenty-five patients suffered from a concomitant goiter (CG), and 12 patients had undergone previous neck surgery due to thyroid pathologies. The sensitivity of both diagnostic tools was analyzed in comparison with intraoperative and histological findings. RESULTS CEUS had a sensitivity of 97% for the detection of the correct quadrant of the pathological parathyroid gland and of 99% for the correct side in comparison with 70% for conventional ultrasonography. In multivariate regression analysis, CG, gland size, and body mass index had a relevant impact on incorrect findings by conventional ultrasonography as compared with CEUS. Follow-up with a minimum of 6 months after surgery showed normal serum levels of calcium and PTH in all 75 patients. CONCLUSIONS CEUS represents a highly reliable, noninvasive and nonradioactive diagnostic tool for localization of pathological parathyroid glands in patients with pHPT. Even in the presence of CG, previous neck surgery, or double adenomas, CEUS has a high sensitivity.
Sarcoidosis-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension: Assessment and Management

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a recognized complication of sarcoidosis, with increased morbidity and poor prognosis. Sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) is typically seen in advanced cases, with pulmonary fibrosis, destruction and obliteration of the pulmonary vasculature, and chronic hypoxemia. PH can, however, occur in the absence of pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting alternative pathophysiological mechanisms. Diverse processes may coexist in the pathogenesis of SAPH, and there is an overlap with mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This has encouraged the study of PAH-specific therapeutic agents in the treatment of SAPH. In small series, prostacyclin analogues, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors have been shown to improve hemodynamics, functional status, and outcomes. This article reviews the most recent data available in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of SAPH.
Developmental Competence of Juvenile Calf Oocytes In Vitro and In Vivo: Influence of Donor Animal Variation and Repeated Gonadotropin Stimulation1

Abstract Juvenile calf oocytes represent an untapped source of germ plasm for reproduction. Reports on the developmental competence of calf oocytes have been controversial. In this research, oocytes were recovered after gonadotropin stimulation from Holstein calves (N = 10) at 2–3 mo of age (2-mo cycle) and again at 4–5 mo of age (4-mo cycle). The in vitro developmental competence was measured, and prestimulation follicle numbers (for 2-mo cycle) and poststimulation follicle numbers (both cycles) were obtained. The number of antral follicles doubled after stimulation (23.4 ± 6.1 vs. 55.1 ± 16.1) for the 2-mo cycle and for the 4-mo cycle (47.4 ± 12.4). The number of follicles observed prior to stimulation in the 2-mo cycle was found to be highly correlated with the poststimulation oocyte recovery for both collection cycles (r = 0.95, 2-mo cycle; r = 0.81, 4-mo cycle). The majority (90–96%) of recovered oocytes were found to be usable for in vitro maturation and fertilization; of these, 41–42% cleaved and 10–11% developed to morulae or blastocysts. Eighty-four in vitro-produced embryos were transferred to synchronized recipients and resulted in 11 pregnancies, leading to 7 live (4 males, 3 females) and 2 dead (one male, one female) calves at full term. No significant differences were observed between the 2-mo and 4-mo collection cycles; however, 73% of the total pregnancies resulted from the 2-mo cycle. All pregnancies resulted from embryos of high-responding donors. The high correlation between the number of follicles prior to stimulation and the poststimulation response suggests the possibility of screening calves prior to stimulation for routine embryo production.
Journal of Information Technology Education It Professionals' Competences: High School Students' Views Introduction Competence: a New Approach Competence in It Table 1: Gene Ric Compe Tence Output Le Vel for Computer Science Bachelors

Executive Summary During last few years, the competential paradigm has become a standard for modern Human Resources Management. The importance and the impact of this concept have led higher education institutions to adopt this concept in the definition of educational resources. In this scenario, knowing which competencies and characteristics define professionals in any position is fundamental, not only for organizations and academic institutions, but also for the professionals of the future. In today's environment, with its shortages of professionals in the IT sector, attracting students in order to shape tomorrow's labor force has become a major issue of concern in educational institutions. Within the set of elements employed by such institutions to attract future students, one significant issue is how to convey the professional reality that is faced by prospective students. IT professionals are often subject to negative social stigmas. And this negative view creates negative stereotypes, which are on one hand, generally adopted, and on the other, they don't accurately portray the employees' the working life. This research presents a study that investigates the perception of the characteristics of IT professionals from the perspective of future professionals: students in their final year of high school. The results indicate that the students generally hold a stereotyped vision regarding the characteristics that are typical of professionals in industry. With the objective of improving the specific knowledge of the professional reality of IT workers, the current paper proposes a number of measures in order to attract students to the profession and inform them of the true professional characteristics of IT professionals. One suggestion is to encourage collaboration between organizations and academic institutions in attracting new people to IT roles and for professional associations to assume a much more active role in communicating IT working styles appropriately. Material published as part of this publication, either on-line or in print, is copyrighted by the Informing Science Institute. P ermission to make digital or paper copy of part or all of these works for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that the copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage AND that copies 1) bear this notice in full and 2) give the full citation on the first page. It is permissible to abstract these works so long as credit is given. To copy in all other cases or to republish or to post on a server or to …
Object level deep feature pooling for compact image representation

Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) features have been successfully employed in recent works as an image descriptor for various vision tasks. But the inability of the deep CNN features to exhibit invariance to geometric transformations and object compositions poses a great challenge for image search. In this work, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the objectness prior over the deep CNN features of image regions for obtaining an invariant image representation. The proposed approach represents the image as a vector of pooled CNN features describing the underlying objects. This representation provides robustness to spatial layout of the objects in the scene and achieves invariance to general geometric transformations, such as translation, rotation and scaling. The proposed approach also leads to a compact representation of the scene, making each image occupy a smaller memory footprint. Experiments show that the proposed representation achieves state of the art retrieval results on a set of challenging benchmark image datasets, while maintaining a compact representation.