Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MACHOs in M 31? Absence of evidence but not evidence of absence

We present results of a microlensing survey toward the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) carried out during four observing seasons at the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT). This survey is part of the larger microlensing survey toward M31 performed by the Microlensing Exploration of the Galaxy and Andromeda ( MEGA) collaboration. Using a fully automated search algorithm, we identify 14 candidate microlensing events, three of which are reported here for the first time. Observations obtained at the Mayall telescope are combined with the INT data to produce composite lightcurves for these candidates. The results from the survey are compared with theoretical predictions for the number and distribution of events. These predictions are based on a Monte Carlo calculation of the detection efficiency and disk-bulge-halo models for M31. The models provide the full phase-space distribution functions (DFs) for the lens and source populations and are motivated by dynamical and observational considerations. They include differential extinction and span a wide range of parameter space characterised primarily by the mass-to-light ratios for the disk and bulge. For most models, the observed event rate is consistent with the rate predicted for self-lensing - a MACHO halo fraction of 30% or higher can be ruled at the 95% confidence level. The event distribution does show a large near-far asymmetry hinting at a halo contribution to the microlensing signal. Two candidate events are located at particularly large projected radii on the far side of the disk. These events are difficult to explain by self lensing and only somewhat easier to explain by MACHO lensing. A possibility is that one of these is due to a lens in a giant stellar stream.
The Standardization of Special Education: Exploring the Implementation of NCLB and IDEA in Inclusive Settings

Over the years, federal special education and accountability policies have aligned more closely to require that students with disabilities receive individualized instruction in general education classrooms. Thus, for an increasing percentage of students with disabilities, these policies now mandate that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are written at annual IEP meetings and then implemented in general education classrooms. The practice of providing services and instruction to students with disabilities in general education classrooms is commonly referred to as inclusion. Inclusion theoretically requires collaboration between general and special education teachers to ensure that students with disabilities receive appropriate services and supports in general education classrooms. Numerous studies examining the practices of inclusion have led scholars to critique how inclusion is being implemented and whether it is really supporting student learning. This said, little work has empirically examined the influence that NCLB (2001) and IDEA (2004) have on general and special education teachers’ practices in inclusive settings, and ultimately the effect this has on students’ access to an appropriate education. My dissertation research is comprised of separate studies that explore the implementation of two key policy mandates within inclusive settings: (1) creation, implementation, and progress monitoring of IEPs, and (2) standards-based instruction by highly qualified teachers. Specifically, in my first study I explore the role of the IEP process in the education of students with specific learning disabilities receiving instruction in inclusive classrooms. In my second study, I examine the types and quality of writing instruction that students with disabilities receive in 8th grade inclusive English classrooms, along with the policy and organizational factors that influence this instruction.
Speeding Up Construction of Quadtrees for Spatial Indexing

Spatial indexes, such as those based on the quadtree, are important in spatial databases for efficient execution of queries involving spatial constraints, especially when the queries involve spatial joins. In this paper we present a number of techniques for speeding up the construction of two quadtree-based spatial indexes, the PMR quadtree and the PR quadtree. The PMR quadtree can index arbitrary spatial data, whereas the PR quadtree is specialized for multidimensional point data. The quadtrees are implemented using a linear quadtree, a disk-resident representation that stores objects contained in the leaf nodes of the quadtree in a linear index (e.g., a B-tree) ordered based on a space-filling curve. For the PMR quadtree, we present two complementary techniques: an improved insertion algorithm and a bulkloading method. The bulk-loading method can be extended to handle bulk-insertions into an existing PMR quadtree. For the PR quadtree, we present a bulk-loading method, which also can be extended to handle bulk-insertions. We make some analytical observations about the I/O cost and CPU cost of our PMR quadtree bulk-loading algorithm, and conduct an extensive empirical study of all the techniques presented in the paper. Our techniques are found to yield significant speedup compared to traditional quadtree building methods, even when the size of the main memory buffer is very small compared to the size of the resulting quadtrees. The usefulness of speeding up quadtree construction is demonstrated by studying a spatial join operation that requires the construction of a spatial index for its operands as well as its spatial output. In this case, the performance of the spatial join was significantly improved by the presence of the spatial indexes. To appear in the VLDB Journal.
Relationship between pre-existing anti-varicella zoster virus ( VZV ) antibody and clinical VZV reactivation in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients Running title : pre-existing anti-VZV and VZV reactivation after HSCT

Running title: pre-existing anti-VZV and VZV reactivation after HSCT Masahiro Onozawa, Satoshi Hashino, Mutsumi Takahata, Fumie Fujisawa, Takahito Kawamura, Masao Nakagawa, Kaoru Kahata, Takeshi Kondo, Shuichi Ota, Junji Tanaka, Masahiro Imamura and Masahiro Asaka Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Fresh Ovarian Tissue and Whole Ovary Transplantation

A series of monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs discordant for premature ovarian failure presented an unusual opportunity to study ovarian transplantation. Ten MZ twin pairs requested ovarian transplantation and nine have undergone transplantation with cryopreservation of spare tissue. Eight had a fresh cortical tissue transplant, one of whom received a second frozen-thawed transplant after the first ceased functioning at 3 years. One had a fresh microvascular transplant. All recipients reinitiated ovulatory menstrual cycles and normal day 3 serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels by 77 to 142 days. Seven have already conceived naturally (three twice). Currently, seven healthy infants have been delivered out of 10 pregnancies. The oldest transplant ceased functioning by 3 years, but then she conceived again after a frozen-thawed secondary transplant. There was no apparent difference in return of ovarian function between the nine fresh ovarian grafts and the one frozen graft. Ovarian transplantation appears to restore ovulatory function robustly. Ten pregnancies, leading to seven healthy infants, including one after cryopreservation, bode well for application to fertility preservation.
Quality of Life in Survivors of a Primary Bone Tumour: A Systematic Review

Purpose. We conducted a systematic search of published literature, to assess (i) quality of life (QoL) for survivors of a bone tumour compared with the normal population; (ii) QoL implications following amputation, successful or failed limb salvage; (iii) adaptation of young children to amputation compared with older children or adolescents. Methods. Electronic databases were searched including Medline, PsycLIT and Cinahl covering the years 1982– 1998. Results. We identified 11 studies. Regardless of treatment, physical functioning was poor compared with population norms or healthy siblings.There was less consistent evidence regarding emotional functioning. Seven studies compared functioning in amputees and limb salvage patients.Two reported advantages in physical function for the limb salvage group, one for the amputees and the rest no differences. Evidence about social functioning or marriage is inconclusive, but there are suggestions that amputees report more job discrimination. Discussion. The literature is inconclusive, largely because of methodological problems. These include small and non-representative samples, and lack of sensitive and appropriate measures. Specific gaps in the literature include very little work concerned with psychological outcomes for children, or for those experiencing failed limb salvage. More attention needs to be given to gender differences in emotional response to traumatic surgery.The implications of the results for helping families balance the merits of different treatments are discussed.
Linking program implementation and effectiveness: Lessons from a pooled sample of welfare‐to‐work experiments

This paper addresses the question: How does implementation influence the effectiveness of mandatory welfare-to-work programs? Data from three large-scale, multi-site random assignment experiments were pooleds quantitative measures of program implementation were constructeds and multilevel statistical modeling was used to examine the relationship between program implementation and effects on short-term client earnings. Individual-level data were analyzed for 69,399 sample members and group-level implementation data were analyzed for 59 local programs. Findings indicate that, other things being equal, earnings effects are increased by: an emphasis on quick client employment, an emphasis on personalized client attention, staff caseloads that do not get too large, and limited use of basic education. Findings also show that mandatory welfare-to-work programs can be effective for many types of people, and that focusing on clients who are especially job-ready (or not) does not have a consistent influence on a program's effectiveness. © 2003 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Instance Normalization: The Missing Ingredient for Fast Stylization

It this paper we revisit the fast stylization method introduced in Ulyanov et. al. (2016). We show how a small change in the stylization architecture results in a significant qualitative improvement in the generated images. The change is limited to swapping batch normalization with instance normalization, and to apply the latter both at training and testing times. The resulting method can be used to train high-performance architectures for real-time image generation. The code will is made available on github at this https URL. Full paper can be found at arXiv:1701.02096.
Four New Jacaranone Analogs from the Fruits of a Beibu Gulf Mangrove Avicennia marina

Four new jacaranone analogs, marinoids F–I (1–4), were isolated from the fruits of a Beibu Gulf mangrove Avicennia marina. The structures were elucidated based on analysis of spectroscopic data. Marinoids F and G are shown to be diastereoisomers of chlorocornoside, a new halogen containing marine secondary metabolite. The antioxidant activity of the isolates was evaluated using a cellular antioxidant assay, and 4 showed good antioxidant activity (EC50 = 26 μM).
Schema-Based Instruction for Mathematical Word Problem Solving: An Evidence-Based Review for Students With Learning Disabilities

The purpose of this review is to determine the evidence base classification of schema-based instruction (SBI) as an intervention to improve word problem-solving outcomes in mathematics for students with learning or mathematics disabilities in Grades K–12. Using the Council for Exceptional Children’s quality indicators (QIs) and standards, we reviewed both single-case and group design studies to classify the evidence of SBI. Results of this review indicate that SBI is a potentially evidence-based practice (EBP) for students with learning disabilities. Implications and directions for research and practice are presented.
A Survey of Artificial Immune System Based Intrusion Detection

In the area of computer security, Intrusion Detection (ID) is a mechanism that attempts to discover abnormal access to computers by analyzing various interactions. There is a lot of literature about ID, but this study only surveys the approaches based on Artificial Immune System (AIS). The use of AIS in ID is an appealing concept in current techniques. This paper summarizes AIS based ID methods from a new view point; moreover, a framework is proposed for the design of AIS based ID Systems (IDSs). This framework is analyzed and discussed based on three core aspects: antibody/antigen encoding, generation algorithm, and evolution mode. Then we collate the commonly used algorithms, their implementation characteristics, and the development of IDSs into this framework. Finally, some of the future challenges in this area are also highlighted.
Caffeic Acid Expands Anti-Tumor Effect of Metformin in Human Metastatic Cervical Carcinoma HTB-34 Cells: Implications of AMPK Activation and Impairment of Fatty Acids De Novo Biosynthesis

The efficacy of cancer treatments is often limited and associated with substantial toxicity. Appropriate combination of drug targeting specific mechanisms may regulate metabolism of tumor cells to reduce cancer cell growth and to improve survival. Therefore, we investigated the effects of anti-diabetic drug Metformin (Met) and a natural compound caffeic acid (trans-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid, CA) alone and in combination to treat an aggressive metastatic human cervical HTB-34 (ATCC CRL1550) cancer cell line. CA at concentration of 100 µM, unlike Met at 10 mM, activated 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). What is more, CA contributed to the fueling of mitochondrial tricarboxylic acids (TCA) cycle with pyruvate by increasing Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDH) activity, while Met promoted glucose catabolism to lactate. Met downregulated expression of enzymes of fatty acid de novo synthesis, such as ATP Citrate Lyase (ACLY), Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS), Fatty Acyl-CoA Elongase 6 (ELOVL6), and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase-1 (SCD1) in cancer cells. In conclusion, CA mediated reprogramming of glucose processing through TCA cycle via oxidative decarboxylation. The increased oxidative stress, as a result of CA treatment, sensitized cancer cells and, acting on cell biosynthesis and bioenergetics, made HTB-34 cells more susceptible to Met and successfully inhibited neoplastic cells. The combination of Metformin and caffeic acid to suppress cervical carcinoma cells by two independent mechanisms may provide a promising approach to cancer treatment.
Drowsiness detection using fNIRS in different time windows for a passive BCI

In this research, we have investigated the detection of drowsiness activity in dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex in three different time windows (0~3 sec, 0~4 sec and 0~5 sec) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Five drowsy subjects participated in a simulated driving task while their brain activity is monitored using fNIRS. The recorded brain activity is segmented into three windows for the acquisition of signal mean, signal slope and number of peaks as features. The data in each window is classified using linear discriminant analysis to find best window size. The results show that the best accuracy is obtained using 0~5 sec window after classification. Although the classification accuracy in 0~4 sec window is lower than in 0~5 sec window, both accuracies are suitable for brain-computer interface applications (i.e. accuracy>70%). The accuracy in 0~3 sec window is less than 70% for two subjects. For driver drowsiness detection, high accuracy with quick detection time is required, therefore we propose drowsiness detection in 0~4 sec window using fNIRS monitoring.
Cells SCH 66336 in Apoptosis Induction in Squamous Carcinoma Suppression by the Farnesyl Transferase Inhibitor Implication of Protein Kinase B / Akt and Bcl-2 / Bcl-XL Updated

The farnesyltransferase inhibitor SCH66336 exhibits antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo; however, its mechanism of action is still unresolved. We found that SCH66336 suppressed growth and induced apoptosis of human head and neck squamous carcinoma cells (HNSCC). SCH66336 suppressed protein kinase B/Akt activity as well as the phosphorylation of the Akt substrates glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 , forkhead transcription factor, and BAD. Infection of SqCC/Y1 cells with an adenovirus that contained a constitutively active form of Akt rescued cells from SCH66336-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that SCH66336 is a potent apoptosis inducer in HNSCC cells and that it may act by suppressing the Akt pathway.
Rationality of Choices in Subsidized Crop Insurance Markets

Abstract The U.S. crop insurance market has several features that set it apart from other insurance markets. These include explicit government subsidies with an average premium subsidy rate of about 60% in recent years, and the legislative requirement that premium rates be set at actuarially fair levels, where the federal government sets rates and pays all costs related to insurance policy sales and services. Bearing these features in mind, we examine the extent to which farmers' crop insurance choices conform to economic theory. A standard expected utility maximization framework is constructed to analyze trade‐offs between higher risk protection and larger subsidy payments. We decompose the effect of coverage level on expected utility into insurance, premium loading, and subsidy transfer effects where the loading effect vanishes if rates are actuarially fair. Given an actuarially fair premium, we infer that a rational farmer should choose either the coverage level with the highest premium subsidy or a higher coverage level. Evidence from a large insurance unit‐level dataset contradicts this theoretical inference, and so suggests anomalous insurance decisions. In a novel application of the mixed logit framework, we show that the probability an insurance product is chosen declines as out‐of‐pocket premium expenditures increase, even though higher values of these expenditures should reflect improved grower welfare. Premium expenditures appear to be more salient than the uncertain future benefits they support. We apply our regression to the recent trend yield adjustment innovation in crop insurance.
Affine Motion Based CMOS Distortion Analysis and CMOS Digital Image Stabilization

The CMOS image distortion is due to the rolling shutter in CMOS image sensors (CISs) and it can be more exaggerated when a CIS camera moves rapidly. Several methods have been proposed to remove CMOS distortions made by the translational motion. But, in this paper, we propose the affine motion based CMOS distortion correction method combined with digital image stabilization. To remove CMOS distortions due to the affine global image motion, CMOS distortion model is proposed to explain the effect of the affine global image motion on the CMOS distortion in CISs. To improve CMOS video's visuals, we propose CMOS digital image stabilization to remove the jittering motions in the new image sequence obtained by our correction method. In addition, to reduce the computational time and the outlier effect, a reliable feature selection method is proposed to be used in the affine global image motion estimation. In the experiment results, we show that the proposed CMOS distortion correction method is more general than previous ones. Also, we show that our stabilization method can improve CMOS video's visuals running in real-time.
TOLERANCE AND IMMUNITY TO MATERNALLY DERIVED INCOMPATIBLE IgG2a-GLOBULIN IN MICE

Progeny mice were confronted with maternal γ-globulin of a different allotype by either back-cross mating, intercross mating, or by foster nursing. In all cases, many mice subsequently produced alloantibodies directed against the incompatible maternal type of IgG2a-globulin. In one series of experiments, immunologic tolerance to the maternally derived γ-globulin was demonstrated to exist in the period before formation of spontaneous antibody. The state of tolerance was then lost, unless maintenance injections of foreign γ-globulin were given. These studies demonstrate in a natural situation that maternally derived foreign proteins can first induce a state of immunological tolerance which is followed, after disappearance of the antigen, by a state of immunity. As such, this parallels the experimental induction of tolerance to foreign proteins by neonatal injections.
Accelerated Discrete Distribution Clustering under Wasserstein Distance

In a variety of research areas, the bag of weighted vectors and the histogram are widely used descriptors for complex objects. Both can be expressed as discrete distributions. D2-clustering pursues the minimum total within-cluster variation for a set of discrete distributions subject to the KantorovichWasserstein metric. D2-clustering has a severe scalability issue, the bottleneck being the computation of a centroid distribution that minimizes its sum of squared distances to the cluster members. In this paper, we develop three scalable optimization techniques, specifically, the subgradient descent method, ADMM, and modified Bregman ADMM, for computing the centroids of large clusters without compromising the objective function. The strengths and weaknesses of these techniques are examined through experiments; and scenarios for their respective usage are recommended. Moreover, we develop both serial and parallelized versions of the algorithms, collectively named the AD2-clustering. By experimenting with large-scale data, we demonstrate the computational efficiency of the new methods and investigate their convergence properties and numerical stability. The clustering results obtained on several datasets in different domains are highly competitive in comparison with some widely used methods’ in the corresponding areas.