Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topic-Sensitive PageRank : A Context-Sensitive Ranking Algorithm for Web Search

The original PageRank algorithm for improving the ranking of search-query results computes a single vector, using the link structure of the Web, to capture the relative “importance” of Web pages, independent of any particular search query. To yield more accurate search results, we propose computing a set of PageRank vectors, biased using a set of representative topics, to capture more accurately the notion of importance with respect to a particular topic. For ordinary keyword search queries, we compute the topic-sensitive PageRank scores for pages satisfying the query using the topic of the query keywords. For searches done in context (e.g., when the search query is performed by highlighting words in a Web page), we compute the topic-sensitive PageRank scores using the topic of the context in which the query appeared. By using linear combinations of these (precomputed) biased PageRank vectors to generate context-specific importance scores for pages at query time, we show that we can generate more accurate rankings than with a single, generic PageRank vector. We describe techniques for efficiently implementing a large scale search system based on the topicsensitive PageRank scheme.
Transplantation of cardiac progenitor cell sheet onto infarcted heart promotes cardiogenesis and improves function.

AIMS Cell-based therapy for myocardial infarction (MI) holds great promise; however, the ideal cell type and delivery system have not been established. Obstacles in the field are the massive cell death after direct injection and the small percentage of surviving cells differentiating into cardiomyocytes. To overcome these challenges we designed a novel study to deliver cardiac progenitor cells as a cell sheet. METHODS AND RESULTS Cell sheets composed of rat or human cardiac progenitor cells (cardiospheres), and cardiac stromal cells were transplanted onto the infarcted myocardium after coronary artery ligation in rats. Three weeks later, transplanted cells survived, proliferated, and differentiated into cardiomyocytes (14.6 +/- 4.7%). Cell sheet transplantation suppressed cardiac wall thinning and increased capillary density (194 +/- 20 vs. 97 +/- 24 per mm(2), P < 0.05) compared with the untreated MI. Cell migration from the sheet was observed along the necrotic trails within the infarcted area. The migrated cells were located in the vicinity of stromal-derived factor (SDF-1) released from the injured myocardium, and about 20% of these cells expressed CXCR4, suggesting that the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis plays, at least, a role in cell migration. Transplantation of cell sheets resulted in a preservation of cardiac contractile function after MI, as was shown by a greater ejection fraction and lower left ventricular end diastolic pressure compared with untreated MI. CONCLUSION The scaffold-free cardiosphere-derived cell sheet approach seeks to efficiently deliver cells and increase cell survival. These transplanted cells effectively rescue myocardium function after infarction by promoting not only neovascularization but also inducing a significant level of cardiomyogenesis.
Clinical outcome following use of transconjunctival approach in reducing orbitozygomaticomaxillary complex fractures

Background: The increasing emphasis on the open reduction and internal fixation of orbito-zygomatico-maxillary complex fractures has led to a more critical appraisal of the various surgical approaches to the orbital and zygomatic skeleton. Transconjunctival approach popularized by Tessier although credited to Bourquet in 1924 offer excellent exposure of the orbito-zygomatico-maxillary complex fracture especially the infra-orbital rim, frontozygomatic suture and the orbital floor. The argument against a transconjunctival access focuses primarily on concern about limited exposure that apparently makes accurate reduction and osteosynthesis of displaced fracture fragments difficult or impossible. Also, due to close association with eye and various ocular complications reported in the literature, most of the surgeons feel skeptical about using this approach. Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy of transconjunctival approach in the treatment of orbito-zygomatico-maxillary complex fractures by evaluating the functional and esthetic results and its associated complications. Material and Method: We report a series of eight patients who have undergone fracture repair of the orbito-zygomatico-maxillary complex via a transconjunctival approach. Postoperative patient evaluation was performed with specific attention paid towards wound healing, functional stability, esthetic appearance and postoperative ocular complications. Postoperatively clinical examination along with radiographic examination was done to evaluate the position of the zygoma and determine the adequacy of fracture reduction. Results: In all the patients excellent surgical exposure has been achieved for reduction and rigid fixation of the fracture fragments. None of the patients had any form of complication related to the approach. There were no postoperative ocular complications. Only one patient had postoperative chemosis which was transient and subsided subsequently. All the patients had excellent esthetic outcome, with symmetry of malar prominence restored and without any evident post-operative complications. Conclusion: Superior esthetic results and direct simultaneous access to the orbital rim, orbital floor and lateral orbital wall, support the use of the transconjunctival approach as a frontline approach to access the orbito-zygomatico-maxillary complex.
Alcohol abuse and dependence among U.S. college students.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence among U.S. college students, and to identify characteristics associated with these diagnoses. METHOD More than 14,000 students at 119 4-year U.S. colleges completed a questionnaire that included items corresponding to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence. Frequencies were computed, and correlations used to identify demographic, drinking and other variables associated with these diagnoses. RESULTS 31% percent of students endorsed criteria for an alcohol abuse diagnosis and 6% for a dependence diagnosis in the past 12 months. More than two of every five students reported at least one symptom of abuse or dependence. Students who were heavy episodic drinkers were more likely than those who were not to have an alcohol disorder. Students who were frequent heavy episodic drinkers had 13 times greater odds for abuse and 19 times greater odds for dependence. One of every five heavy episodic drinkers was classified with dependence. Few reported seeking treatment since coming to college. Students from heavy drinking college environments were more likely to have abuse and dependence diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Many college students report behaviors and symptoms that meet the diagnostic standard for alcohol abuse or dependence. In addition to strengthening prevention programs, colleges should implement new strategies for screening and early identification of high risk student drinkers and ensure that treatment is readily available for those with alcohol disorders.
Mean-Field Controllability and Decentralized Stabilization of Markov Chains, Part I: Global Controllability and Rational Feedbacks

In this paper, we study the controllability and stabilizability properties of the Kolmogorov forward equation of a continuous time Markov chain (CTMC) evolving on a finite state space, using the transition rates as the control parameters. Firstly, we prove small-time local and global controllability from and to strictly positive equilibrium configurations when the underlying graph is strongly connected. Secondly, we show that there always exists a locally exponentially stabilizing decentralized linear (density-)feedback law that takes zero valu at equilibrium and respects the graph structure, provided that the transition rates are allowed to be negative and the desired target density lies in the interior of the set of probability densities. For bidirected graphs, that is, graphs where a directed edge in one direction implies an edge in the opposite direction, we show that this linear control law can be realized using a decentralized rational feedback law of the form k(x) = a(x) + b(x)f(x)/g(x) that also respects the graph structure and control constraints (positivity and zero at equilibrium). This enables the possibility of using Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) based tools to algorithmically construct decentralized density feedback controllers for stabilization of a robotic swarm to a target task distribution with no task-switching at equilibrium, as we demonstrate with several numerical examples.
Thin films: Stresses and mechanical properties VI

The symposium Thin Films: Stresses and Mechanical Properties IV was held at the 1996 Materials Research Society Spring Meeting on April 8--12 in San Francisco, California. Regarding stresses, techniques are becoming quite varied and sophisticated in sorting out residual stress and strain states, including Raman scattering, nonlinear acoustic responses, and back-scattered electron imaging microscopies, along with more standard wafer-bending and X-ray techniques. Regarding mechanical behavior, the burgeoning field of nanoprobe imaging, spectroscopy and indenting for the characterization of mechanical properties of thin films is highlighted. The first two parts of this volume deal with mechanical properties of films and multilayers, including their stress evolution and structure/property relations as related to strength, fracture and adhesion. With regards to the measurement and understanding of such structure/property relations, the next two sections deal with the nanoindentation of films and surfaces, as well as the mechanical property methods and modeling, the latter including atomistic and finite element approaches. With a major driving force being the protective aspects of softer substances, the next two parts emphasize the tribological properties of thin films and properties of polymer films. In the last two sections, stress effects in thin films and interconnects and epitaxy and strain relief mechanismsmore » are emphasized. Sixty six papers have been processed separately for inclusion on the data base. « less
Biochar in Land Reclamation, Biosolids Applications and Prescribed Fires

Academic Biochar is a form of stable organic carbon whose application to soils has the potential to sequester large amounts of atmospheric CO2 while improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. However, the optimal rates and methods of biochar application are unknown for many situations. Three experiments were performed to test methods of biochar application to soils as a stand-alone amendment, in combination with biosolids as a complementary amendment and in-situ through controlled landscape burning. The first was a greenhouse pot study, which involved combining biochar with spoil from an Appalachian surface coal mine to grow trees. Biochar combined with mine soil produced a much higher growth rate for trees, and pure biochar helped tree root growth, suggesting that it might be useful as a broadcasted amendment, as a nursery growing medium or as a backfill in tree planting holes. The second experiment explored methods to combine biochar and biosolids materials to form a granular product. Combining biochar and biosolids before applications reduced windborne losses of biochar as well as the nutrient leachate produced by the biosolids. Drum rolling was found to work best for producing aggregate granules. Wetting pure biochar to 100% gravimetric water content before applications reduced windborne losses from over 50% to under 5% as compared to when it was applied as a dry product. A series of controlled burns were conducted in the third experiment to determine the ideal range of meteorological conditions to produce the highest possible biochar yields in-situ. Relative humidity, forest litter moisture and ambient temperature were found to be the governing factors over the tonnage of biochar produced. Up to 3.0 Mg Ha of biochar were produced under ideal conditions by controlled burning. Repeated high-yielding burns have the potential accumulate large amounts of biochar in the soil to improve soil properties.
Bimatoprost in the Treatment of Eyelash Universalis Alopecia Areata

Objectives: To evaluate topical bimatoprost for eyelash growth in patients with alopecia areata (AA). Design: A 1-year retrospective study, bilateral eyelash alopecia. Materials and Methods: Forty-one subjects with AA universalis without ocular disease applied 0.03% bimatoprost to the eyelid margin once a day over the course of 1 year. Results: Thirty-seven subjects completed the study, one patient was eliminated due to conjunctivitis at the beginning of treatment, two patients developed conjunctivitis after 6 months of treatment, and a fourth did not follow directions. Researchers evaluated patients’ eyelash growth every 4 months. We observed complete growth in 24.32%, moderate growth in 18.91%, slight growth in 27.02% and without response in 29.72%. Conclusion: Bimatoprost may be effective and safe in the treatment of eyelash AA. 43.24% of the patients had an acceptable cosmetic response (total and moderate growth). Limitations: Design without control.
Duplication insertion of drug resistance determinants in the radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans

Escherichia coli drug resistance plasmids were introduced into Deinococcus radiodurans by cloning D. radiodurans DNA into the plasmids prior to transformation. The plasmids were integrated into the chromosome of the transformants and flanked by a direct repeat of the cloned D. radiodurans segment. The plasmid and one copy of the flanking chromosomal segment constituted a unit ("amplification unit") which was found repeated in tandem at the site of chromosomal integration. Up to 50 copies of the amplification unit were present per chromosome, accounting for approximately 10% of the genomic DNA. Circular forms of the amplification unit were also present in D. radiodurans transformants. These circles were introduced into E. coli, where they replicated as plasmids. The drug resistance determinants which have been introduced into D. radiodurans in this fashion are cat (from Tn9) and aphA (from Tn903). Transformation of D. radiodurans to drug resistance was efficient when the donor DNA was from D. radiodurans or E. coli, but was greatly reduced when the donor DNA was linearized with restriction enzymes prior to transformation. In the course of the study, a plasmid, pS16, was discovered in D. radiodurans R1, establishing that all Deinococcus strains so far examined contain plasmids.
A contour based image segmentation algorithm using morphological edge detection

In this paper, a novel approach for edge-based image segmentation is proposed. Image segmentation and object extraction play an important role in supporting content-based image coding, indexing, and retrieval. However, it's always a tough task to partition an object in a graph-based image. We proposed an image segmentation algorithm by integrating mathematical morphological edge detector with region growing technique. The images are first enhanced by morphological closing operations, and then detect the edge of the image by morphological dilation residue edge detector. Moreover, we deploy growing seeds into the edge image that obtained by the edge detection procedure. By cross comparing the growing result and the detected edges, the partition lines of the image are generated. In this paper, we presented the theoretical backgrounds and procedure illustrations of the proposed algorithm. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm is implemented in C++ language and evaluate on several images with promising results.
A novel technique for nonlinear sensitivity analysis: application to moist predictability

A new nonlinear technique is described to compute the sensitivity of synoptic perturbation growth to environmental moisture. The perturbation growth is defined using a nonlinear generalization of singular vectors called Nonlinear Singular Vectors (NLSV). For a given atmospheric state evolving in time, the nonlinear sensitivity method consists in maximizing the growth rate of perturbations by seeking both the optimal NLSV perturbations and the most favorable spatial distribution of the moisture field. This results in a new atmospheric state that differs initially only by the water vapour field. The NLSV computed along this new state has the largest possible growth rate for all possible water vapour fields. We apply this method to a simulation of the moist primitive equations. For the particular case we study, we obtain a moistening of the lower troposphere and an amplification of energy of optimal perturbations three times larger than the amplification of optimal perturbations computed without altering the water vapour field. The optimal perturbations are similar to the perturbations of the unmodified water vapour case. A noteworthy property is that the complete saturation of the atmosphere leads to a smaller increase in amplification rate, which means that the water vapour field is strongly tied to the NLSV structure. Mechanisms explaining these results are discussed. This technique overcomes the limitations (in particular the linearity assumption) of moist singular vector analysis using moist norms or adjoint sensitivity analysis. It can be applied to diagnose sensitivity to other fields as well. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Characterization of a new certified reference material for human cardiac troponin I.

BACKGROUND To address the continuing need for the standardization of clinical human cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assays, NIST, with the assistance of the AACC/IFCC Cardiac Troponin I Standardization Committee, has developed a new certified reference material, Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2921: Human Cardiac Troponin Complex. METHODS The concentration of cTnI in SRM 2921 was determined through a combination of reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) with ultraviolet detection and amino acid analysis. Characterization of the intact troponin subunits was accomplished through reversed-phase LC coupled with mass spectrometry. Posttranslational modifications to the cTnI in SRM 2921 were investigated by combining proteolytic digestion with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Additionally, reference concentration values for cTnT and cTnC were also determined. RESULTS The concentration of human cTnI in SRM 2921 is 31.2 (1.4) mg/L (where 1.4 mg/L is the uncertainty at a 95% level of confidence), as certified through a method that provides traceability to the International System of Units (SI). Reference concentration values of the cTnT and cTnC subunits were determined to be 36.9 (3.8) mg/L and 24.2 (1.3) mg/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This first cTnI reference material should provide SI traceability to clinical cTnI assays once commutability has been validated, and could assist in the international harmonization of cTnI assays as a tool for understanding the underlying causes of interassay variability.
The effect of carried loads on the walking patterns of men and women.

In order to determine the effect of loads worn or carried on walking mechanics, 11 men and 11 women were filmed using high speed cinematography as they performed overground walking at 1·78 m/s under five load conditions. The loads included a baseline condition in which subjects carried no added load, and additional loads of approximately 9, 17, 29 and 36 kg consisting of standard military items. The latter two loads were added in the form of a framed rucksack system. Values for several variables frequently used to described temporal and kinematic characteristics of walking were quantified from the film. These included stride length, stride rate, single leg support time, double-support time, swing time and the forward inclination of the trunk. The results of the study demonstrated that the males and females displayed significantly different gait patterns under all load conditions. Not unexpectedly, the females required a higher rate of stepping than the males because of their shorter stride lengths. The re.
Taste Space Versus the World: an Embedding Analysis of Listening Habits and Geography

Probabilistic embedding methods provide a principled way of deriving new spatial representations of discrete objects from human interaction data. The resulting assignment of objects to positions in a continuous, low-dimensional space not only provides a compact and accurate predictive model, but also a compact and flexible representation for understanding the data. In this paper, we demonstrate how probabilistic embedding methods reveal the “taste space” in the recently released Million Musical Tweets Dataset (MMTD), and how it transcends geographic space. In particular, by embedding cities around the world along with preferred artists, we are able to distill information about cultural and geographical differences in listening patterns into spatial representations. These representations yield a similarity metric among city pairs, artist pairs, and cityartist pairs, which can then be used to draw conclusions about the similarities and contrasts between taste space and geographic location.
Systemic exosomal siRNA delivery reduced alpha-synuclein aggregates in brains of transgenic mice

Alpha‐synuclein (α‐Syn) aggregates are the main component of Lewy bodies, which are the characteristic pathological feature in Parkinson's disease (PD) brain. Evidence that α‐Syn aggregation can be propagated between neurones has led to the suggestion that this mechanism is responsible for the stepwise progression of PD pathology. Decreasing α‐Syn expression is predicted to attenuate this process and is thus an attractive approach to delay or halt PD progression. We have used α‐Syn small interfering RNA (siRNA) to reduce total and aggregated α‐Syn levels in mouse brains. To achieve widespread delivery of siRNAs to the brain we have peripherally injected modified exosomes expressing Ravies virus glycoprotein loaded with siRNA. Normal mice were analyzed 3 or 7 days after injection. To evaluate whether this approach can decrease α‐Syn aggregates, we repeated the treatment using transgenic mice expressing the human phosphorylation‐mimic S129D α‐Syn, which exhibits aggregation. In normal mice we detected significantly reduced α‐Syn messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels throughout the brain 3 and 7 days after treatment with RVG‐exosomes loaded with siRNA to α‐Syn. In S129D α‐Syn transgenic mice we found a decreased α‐Syn mRNA and protein levels throughout the brain 7 days after injection. This resulted in significant reductions in intraneuronal protein aggregates, including in dopaminergic neurones of the substantia nigra. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of RVG‐exosome delivery of siRNA to delay and reverse brain α‐Syn pathological conditions. © 2014 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Restoration of useful vision up to letter recognition capabilities using subretinal microphotodiodes

Our group has developed a subretinal microphotodiode array for restoration of vision. In a clinical pilot study the array has been implanted in 11 patients suffering from photoreceptor degenerations. Here we present promising results from some of those patients where the retinal tissue above the chip was functional and the implant fulfilled its expected function. A spatial resolution of approximately 0.3 cycles/degree could be achieved with fine stripe patterns. In one subject where the implant had been placed directly under the macular region of the retina a visual acuity of 20/1000 could be measured. Artificially restored visual acuity of this quality has not been reported previously. Finally, we present images illustrating an approximation of how the visual perceptions might have appeared to the subjects, based on a mathematical model and patient reports.