Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Author's Personal Copy Pervasive and Mobile Computing Where to Go from Here? Mobility Prediction from Instantaneous Information

In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: a b s t r a c t We present the work that allowed us to win the Next-Place Prediction task of the Nokia Mobile Data Challenge. Using data collected from the smartphones of 80 users, we explore the characteristics of their mobility traces. We then develop three families of predictors, including tailored models and generic algorithms, to predict, based on instantaneous information only, the next place a user will visit. These predictors are enhanced with aging techniques that allow them to adapt quickly to the users' changes of habit. Finally, we devise various strategies to blend predictors together and take advantage of their diversity, leading to relative improvements of up to 4%.
Neural representation of social, monetary and chocolate reinforcer processing

Little attention has been paid to social reinforcer processing compared with food and monetary reinforcers, in the reward-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) literature. This is surprising as social reinforcers pervade our daily lives and are often experienced more frequently than food or monetary reinforcers. The question of whether social reinforcers are processed in the same or different brain regions as other reinforcer types remains poorly understood. In this thesis, three fMRI studies were employed to investigate this question, in healthy individuals. The experimental paradigms focused on two main aspects of reward processing: neural patterns of activation associated with different reward types and valance, and also correlations between neural activation to rewards and participants’ hedonic level. The studies reported in this thesis revealed that amygdala and a subregion of the OFC responded more sensitively to social reinforcers than monetary, or food reinforcers, indicating social reinforcers modulate the affective response more strongly in the brain reward network. The results also provide evidence for a medial-lateral functional dissociation in the OFC to rewards and punishment, so that medial OFC responded more strongly to rewards and lateral OFC to punishments. Moreover, fMRI study-1 revealed a crossover interaction between reinforcement valence and reward type in the lateral OFC, indicating this region may be involved in the functional integration of both reward type and valence. This is consistent with the theory of a common neural currency, for valuing different rewards in the OFC. As activation in the reward network may also be attributed to the hedonic experience of gaining rewards, fMRI study-2 and study-3 also explored the relationship between BOLD activity in response to rewards and participants’ hedonic scores. These two studies demonstrated highly significant correlations between BOLD activity in the OFC (positive correlation) and insula (negative correlation) and self-reported levels of hedonic response. The findings of the correlations between reward and hedonic level could have important implications for understanding how human hedonic levels affect responses to various reinforcements.
The phylogeography of Fagus hayatae (Fagaceae): genetic isolation among populations

Abstract The beech species Fagus hayatae is an important relict tree species in subtropical China, whose biogeographical patterns may reflect floral responses to climate change in this region during the Quaternary. Previous studies have revealed phylogeography for three of the four Fagus species in China, but study on F. hayatae, the most sparsely distributed of these species, is still lacking. Here, molecular methods based on eight simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci of nuclear DNA (nDNA) and three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences were applied for analyses of genetic diversity and structure in 375 samples from 14 F. hayatae populations across its whole range. Both nDNA and cpDNA indicated a high level of genetic diversity in this species. Significant fixation indexes and departures from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, with a genetic differentiation parameter of R st of 0.233, were detected in nDNA SSR loci among populations, especially those on Taiwan Island, indicating strong geographic partitioning. The populations were classified into two clusters, without a prominent signal of isolation‐by‐distance. For the 15 haplotypes detected in the cpDNA sequence fragments, there was a high genetic differentiation parameter (G st = 0.712) among populations. A high G st of 0.829 was also detected outside but not within the Sichuan Basin. Consistent with other Fagus species in China, no recent population expansion was detected from tests of neutrality and mismatch distribution analysis. Overall, genetic isolation with limited gene flow was prominent for this species and significant phylogeographic structures existed across its range except for those inside the Sichuan Basin. Our study suggested long‐term geographic isolation in F. hayatae with limited population admixture and the existence of multiple refugia in the mountainous regions of the Sichuan Basin and southeast China during the Quaternary. These results may provide useful information critical for the conservation of F. hayatae and other Chinese beech species.
Gut Microbiota Modulation and Its Relationship with Obesity Using Prebiotic Fibers and Probiotics: A Review

In the present world scenario, obesity has almost attained the level of a pandemic and is progressing at a rapid rate. This disease is the mother of all other metabolic disorders, which apart from placing an added financial burden on the concerned patient also has a negative impact on his/her well-being and health in the society. Among the various plausible factors for the development of obesity, the role of gut microbiota is very crucial. In general, the gut of an individual is inhabited by trillions of microbes that play a significant role in host energy homeostasis by their symbiotic interactions. Dysbiosis in gut microbiota causes disequilibrium in energy homeostasis that ultimately leads to obesity. Numerous mechanisms have been reported by which gut microbiota induces obesity in experimental models. However, which microbial community is directly linked to obesity is still unknown due to the complex nature of gut microbiota. Prebiotics and probiotics are the safer and effective dietary substances available, which can therapeutically alter the gut microbiota of the host. In this review, an effort was made to discuss the current mechanisms through which gut microbiota interacts with host energy metabolism in the context of obesity. Further, the therapeutic approaches (prebiotics/probiotics) that helped in positively altering the gut microbiota were discussed by taking experimental evidence from animal and human studies. In the closing statement, the challenges and future tasks within the field were discussed.
Optimal production planning of a power plant

This paper addresses the problem of planning the usage of actuators optimally in an economic perspective. The objective is to maximize the profit of operating a given plant during 24 hours of operation. Models of two business objectives are formulated in terms of system states and the monetary value of these objectives is established. Based on these and the cost of using the different actuators a profit function has been formulated. The optimization of the profit is formulated as an optimal control problem where the constraints include the dynamics of the plant as well as a requirement to reference tracking. A power plant is considered in this paper, where the fuel system consists of three different fuels; coal, gas, and oil.
Explicit Cost Bounds of Algorithms for Multivariate Tensor Product Problems

We study multivariate tenser product problems in the worst case and average case settings. They are defined on functions of d variables. For arbitrary d, we provide explicit upper bounds on the costs of algorithms which compute an ? -approximation to the solution. The cost bounds are of the form (c(d) + 2)s1(s2 + s3(ln 1/? )/(d ? 1))s4(d ? 1)(1/? )s5. Here c(d) is the cost of one function evaluation (or one linear functional evaluation), and si? s do not depend on d; they are determined by the properties of the problem for d = 1. For certain tensor product problems, these cost bounds do not exceed c(d)K? p for some numbers K and p, both independent of d. However, the exponents p which we obtain are too large. We apply these general estimates to certain integration and approximation problems in the worst and average case settings. We also obtain an upper bound, which is independent of d, for the number, n(? , d), of points for which discrepancy (with unequal weights) is at most ? , n(? , d) ? 7.26? 2.454, ? d, ? 1.
Dysregulation of the Autonomous Nervous System in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorder: A Pupillometric Study

The role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) was recently investigated in Temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Several authors argue that in subjects with TMD there is a dysregulation of ANS. Recent literature support that Pupillometry is a simple non-invasive tool to study ANS. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between TMD and ANS activity using pupillometry recording in Infrared light at rest Mandible Position (RP); Infrared light at Forced Habitual Occlusion (FHO); Yellow-green light at RP; Yellow-green light at FHO. Forty female subjects were enrolled: 20 case patients showed TMD based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD, and 20 control patients, aged matched, had no signs or symptoms of TMD. Statistical analysis was performed on average pupil size. Ratio between pupil size in FHO and RP (FHO/RP ratio) and yellow-green and infrared (light/darkness ratio) lighting were carried out. Within group differences of pupil size and of “ratio” were analyzed using a paired t test, while differences of pupil size between groups were tested using an unpaired t test. Statistical comparisons between groups showed no significant differences of absolute values of pupil dimension in RP and FHO, both in yellow-green and in infrared lighting. In addition, there were no significant differences within groups comparing RP and FHO in yellow-green light. In within group comparison of pupil size, differences between RP and FHO were significant in infrared conditions. Control subjects increased, whereas TMD patients decreased pupil size at FHO in infrared lightening. FHO/RP ratio in darkness and light/darkness ratio in RP were significantly different between groups. Taken together, these data suggest that TMD subjects have an impairment of the sympathetic-adrenergic component of the ANS to be activated under stress. The present study provides preliminary pupillometric data confirming that adrenergic function is dysregulated in patients with TMD.
Asymptotic Optimality of Myopic Optimization in Trial-Offer Markets with Social Influence

We study dynamic trial-offer markets, in which participants first try a product and later decide whether to purchase it or not. In these markets, social influence and position biases have a greater effect on the decisions taken in the sampling stage than those in the buying stage. We consider a myopic policy that maximizes the market efficiency for each incoming participant, taking into account the inherent quality of products, position biases, and social influence. We prove that this myopic policy is optimal and predictable asymptotically.
Resolution of Financial Distress Under Chapter 11

We develop a contingent claims model for a firm in financial distress with a formal account for renegotiations under the U.S. bankruptcy procedure (known as Chapter 11). Shareholders and two classes of creditors (senior and junior) alternatively propose a reorganization plan subject to a vote. The bankruptcy judge can intervene in any renegotiation round to impose a plan. The multiple-stage bargaining process is solved in a non-cooperative game-theory setting. The calibrated model yields the liquidation rate, the duration of Chapter 11 and the frequency of deviations from the Absolute Priority Rule, which are consistent with empirical evidence.
Insight in Inpatients with Psychotic Mania; Demographic and Clinical Factors

Purpose: To evaluate changes of insight in bipolar patients during the mania phase using well-designed scales, and investigate its relation to demographic and clinical factors. Methods: Sixty inpatients with acute psychotic mania were initially assessed using Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD-Abridged), Young’s Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Global Assessment of Function (GAF). The patients were reassessed at the time of symptom resolution. Results: All aspects of insight improved significantly during the resolution of acute mania (p<0.01). Patients with fewer admissions had improved insight into the effects of medication (p=0.02). Those patients with more insight regarding the consequences of the disorder at the time of resolution had a lower age at the onset (p=0.03). Conclusions: Different dimensions of patients’ insight having psychotic mania improve significantly during the resolution of the acute psychotic mania. Patients with the factors predicting poor insight may benefit from directed interventions.
MicroRNAs and Cardiovascular Diseases

Coronary artery diseases (CAD) and heart failure have high mortality rate in the world, although much progress has been made in this field in last two decades. There is still a clinical need for a novel diagnostic approach and a therapeutic strategy to decrease the incidence of CAD. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved noncoding small RNA molecules that regulate a large fraction of the genome by binding to complementary messenger RNA sequences, resulting in posttranscriptional gene silencing. Recent studies have shown that specific miRNAs are involved in whole stage of atherosclerosis, from endothelium dysfunction to plaque rupture. These findings suggest that miRNAs are potential biomarkers in early diagnosis and therapeutic targets in CAD. In the present review, we highlight the role of miRNAs in every stage of atherosclerosis, and discuss the prospects of miRNAs in the near future.
What should blog search look like?

Blog search has not yet reached its full potential. In this position paper, we suggest that more could be done to accommodate the task of finding good blogs to read, especially with respect to matching a desired taste or style of writing. We propose a faceted navigation interface as a good starting point for blog and author search, and that search oriented around people and their writings will lend itself well to advanced interfaces. We also argue that blog search is probably best integrated with search on other forms of timely social media for the task of determining what is currently being thought about a particular topic.
A Review of the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, Second Edition, and Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test, Second Edition

The Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, Second Edition (RIAS-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2015) is an intelligence test for those aged 3 to 94 years. It contains eight subtests designed to assess general intelligence, verbal and nonverbal intelligence, memory, and processing speed. The two subtests targeting processing speed are new to the RIAS-2. The RIAS-2 also encompasses a two-subtest abbreviated intelligence test called the Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test, Second Edition (RIST-2). Its manuals, fast guide, and stimulus books are packaged in a carrying case.
Complex Impedance Transformers Consisting of Only Transmission-Line Sections

Design methods are, for the first time, suggested for the complex impedance transformers, to solve the conventional problem of imaginary value of characteristic impedance of transmission-line sections. The complex impedance transformers consist of only transmission-line sections, and the design formulas are the function of the reίection coefficients of the complex termination impedances. Firstly, the impedance transformers that transform a complex impedance into a real one are discussed. Secondly, those transforming a complex impedance to another complex one are studied. For the impedance transformers of the first type, the regions of the Smith chart where one complex impedance can be transformed into one real one by only one transmission-line section are called allowed regions, while the outside forbidden regions. Depending on where the complex impedances are located, a method to reduce the size is discussed in more detail. For the second case where both termination impedances are complex, the complex conjugate of one of two complex impedances should be located on a Smith chart for maximum power transfer. The design formulas are then obtained in a similar manner. To validate the design formulas, three impedance transformers terminated in a fixed complex impedance of (1000 - j30) Ω and three real impedances of 50, 60, and 80 Ω are fabricated and measured. The measured results show quite good agreement with prediction, return losses of 30-38 dB being achieved around the design center frequency of 2 GHz.
Entrepreneurial intention: a study of individual, situational and gender differences

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of entrepreneurial intention. Specifically, the study investigated the extent to which personality traits or situational factors influenced entrepreneurial intention and whether the relationship among the predictor variables and the intention to become entrepreneurs differed between men and women. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using a questionnaire-based survey of 393 students at a reputable international educational institution in Thailand. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance were employed to test the hypotheses. Findings A total of eight independent variables were tested for their effect on entrepreneurial intention. Three of the personality traits, including need for achievement, risk-taking tendency, job security, were found to have a significant effect on intention for entrepreneurship. However, environment for starting a business and educational programme were found to be suppressor variables. Personality factors had a greater degree of effect on entrepreneurial intention than situational factors. With respect to gender differences, for women, job autonomy and job security were significant predictors while for men, need for achievement and risk-taking tendency contributed to entrepreneurial intention. Originality/value The study investigated whether personality factors or situational factors were the main drivers of entrepreneurial intention and to what extent gender differences exist in the determinants of entrepreneurial intention. Few studies have been based on a sample of respondents of such diversity in terms of nationality. The present study included respondents from 12 different nationalities in Asia.
Establishment of Photoaging Mouse Model by Long-Term Repetitive UVA Irradiation

To clarify the mechanism of long-term repetitive UVA irradiation in photoaging of the skin, we evaluated albino hairless (SKH: HR1) mice by the irradiation with UVA (300-420nm) for 12months. The output of irradiated UVA was 30J/cm2/day. Skin samples were taken from each group and examined at 0, 4, 8 and 12months. Morphologically, the structural changes of elastic fibers were observed in the dermis of irradiated group. In immunohistochemistry, tropoelastin, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9) were expressed in the fibroblasts in the dermis of photoaged skin. The expressions of tropoelastin, MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA in cultured fibroblasts were analyzed by RT-PCR. The expression of MMP9 mRNA was increased cultured fibroblast derived from irradiated mice. These results suggest that MMP9 is an important mediator in the development of photoaged skin for one-year repetitive exposure to UVA.
Integration-defective lentiviral vector mediates efficient gene editing through homology-directed repair in human embryonic stem cells

Abstract Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are used as platforms for disease study, drug screening and cell-based therapy. To facilitate these applications, it is frequently necessary to genetically manipulate the hESC genome. Gene editing with engineered nucleases enables site-specific genetic modification of the human genome through homology-directed repair (HDR). However, the frequency of HDR remains low in hESCs. We combined efficient expression of engineered nucleases and integration-defective lentiviral vector (IDLV) transduction for donor template delivery to mediate HDR in hESC line WA09. This strategy led to highly efficient HDR with more than 80% of the selected WA09 clones harboring the transgene inserted at the targeted genomic locus. However, certain portions of the HDR clones contained the concatemeric IDLV genomic structure at the target site, probably resulted from recombination of the IDLV genomic input before HDR with the target. We found that the integrase protein of IDLV mediated the highly efficient HDR through the recruitment of a cellular protein, LEDGF/p75. This study demonstrates that IDLV-mediated HDR is a powerful and broadly applicable technology to carry out site-specific gene modification in hESCs.
Learning Topic Representation for SMT with Neural Networks

Statistical Machine Translation (SMT) usually utilizes contextual information to disambiguate translation candidates. However, it is often limited to contexts within sentence boundaries, hence broader topical information cannot be leveraged. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to learning topic representation for parallel data using a neural network architecture, where abundant topical contexts are embedded via topic relevant monolingual data. By associating each translation rule with the topic representation, topic relevant rules are selected according to the distributional similarity with the source text during SMT decoding. Experimental results show that our method significantly improves translation accuracy in the NIST Chinese-to-English translation task compared to a state-of-the-art baseline.