Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning Ground CP-Logic Theories by Leveraging Bayesian Network Learning Techniques

Causal relations are present in many application domains. Causal Probabilistic Logic (CP-logic) is a probabilistic modeling language that is especially designed to express such relations. This paper investigates the learning of CP-logic theories (CP-theories) from training data. Its first contribution is SEM-CP-logic, an algorithm that learns CP-theories by leveraging Bayesian network (BN) learning techniques. SEM-CP-logic is based on a transformation between CP-theories and BNs. That is, the method applies BN learning techniques to learn a CP-theory in the form of an equivalent BN. To this end, certain modifications are required to the BN parameter learning and structure search, the most important one being that the refinement operator used by the search must guarantee that the constructed BNs represent valid CP-theories. The paper's second contribution is a theoretical and experimental comparison between CP-theory and BN learning. We show that the most simple CP-theories can be represented with BNs consisting of noisy-OR nodes, while more complex theories require close to fully connected networks (unless additional unobserved nodes are introduced in the network). Experiments in a controlled artificial domain show that in the latter cases CP-theory learning with SEM-CP-logic requires fewer training data than BN learning. We also apply SEM-CP-logic in a medical application in the context of HIV research, and show that it can compete with state-of-the-art methods in this domain.
On Admission of VoIP Calls Over Wireless Mesh Network

We consider the problem of supporting VoIP calls over a wireless mesh network. We particularly consider the call admission control (CAC) decision problem for VoIP calls on a mesh network. The goal of the call admission decision is to maintain the quality of VoIP calls as given by the R-score measure. In this work, we define a notion of interference capacity model that can be efficiently used to design a CAC algorithm. We show through extensive simulation of 802.11 mesh using ns-2, that our CAC performs well in multi-hop scenarios. Specifically, the proposed CAC provides less than 20% incorrect decisions for different sizes of a multihop linear topology.
Item-and Task-Level Processes in Left Inferior Prefrontal Cortex : Positive and Negative Correlates of Encoding

Activity in left inferior prefrontal cortex (LIPC) is often thought to reflect processes that support episodic encoding. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to test whether processes subserved by LIPC could be negatively related to subsequent memory performance. Specifically, the current experiment explicitly tested the hypothesis that LIPC processing would positively impact encoding when primarily focused towards specific target items (item-level processing), whereas it would negatively impact encoding when primarily focused on the retrieval and instantiation of the current task instructions (task-level processing). Two methods were used in order to identify regions that were sensitive to the two types of processes: a blocklevel manipulation of encoding task that influenced subsequent memory, and a back-sort procedure. LIPC was sensitive to itemand tasklevel processing, but not in a way that always facilitates encoding. LIPC was more active for subsequently remembered words than subsequently forgotten words, but it was also more active in a task that emphasized task-level processing relative to a task that emphasized item-level processing, despite the fact that this former condition led to poorer subsequent memory performance. This pattern indicates that processes subserved by LIPC are not always positively correlated with episodic encoding. Rather, LIPC processes can support both the controlled semantic processing of items and the controlled retrieval of the relevant semantic task context. When devoted to the latter, the diversion of LIPC processes to the task level can have a negative consequence for item-level analysis and encoding. SUBSEQUENT MEMORY IN LIPC
A Single 48 mg Sucralose Sip Unbalances Monocyte Subpopulations and Stimulates Insulin Secretion in Healthy Young Adults

Sucralose is a noncaloric artificial sweetener that is widely consumed worldwide and has been associated with alteration in glucose and insulin homeostasis. Unbalance in monocyte subpopulations expressing CD11c and CD206 hallmarks metabolic dysfunction but has not yet been studied in response to sucralose. Our goal was to examine the effect of a single sucralose sip on serum insulin and blood glucose and the percentages of classical, intermediate, and nonclassical monocytes in healthy young adults subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Volunteers randomly received 60 mL water as placebo (n = 20) or 48 mg sucralose dissolved in 60 mL water (n = 25), fifteen minutes prior to an OGTT. Blood samples were individually drawn every 15 minutes for 180 minutes for quantifying glucose and insulin concentrations. Monocyte subsets expressing CD11c and CD206 were measured at -15 and 180 minutes by flow cytometry. As compared to controls, volunteers receiving sucralose exhibited significant increases in serum insulin at 30, 45, and 180 minutes, whereas blood glucose values showed no significant differences. Sucralose consumption caused a significant 7% increase in classical monocytes and 63% decrease in nonclassical monocytes with respect to placebo controls. Pearson's correlation models revealed a strong association of insulin with sucralose-induced monocyte subpopulation unbalance whereas glucose values did not show significant correlations. Sucralose ingestion decreased CD11c expression in all monocyte subsets and reduced CD206 expression in nonclassical monocytes suggesting that sucralose does not only unbalance monocyte subpopulations but also alter their expression pattern of cell surface molecules. This work demonstrates for the first time that a 48 mg sucralose sip increases serum insulin and unbalances monocyte subpopulations expressing CD11c and CD206 in noninsulin-resistant healthy young adults subjected to an OGTT. The apparently innocuous consumption of sucralose should be reexamined in light of these results.
A Compact Model of Mosfet Transistors Including Dispersion and Thermal Phenomena

This paper propose a new electro-thermal model nd presents a method of studying the thermal phenomena in power MOSFET transistors, utilizing Advanced Design System techniques by a Symbolic Defined Device (SDD). The model incorporates the thermal effects and the temperature evolution in the device and captures the heat dissipation from the silicon chip to the ambient air by providing three thermal capacitances and three thermal resistances (thermal network). It enables a better estimation of the device’s reliability and lifetime. Furthermore, it can be used to make a connection between the electrical parameter drifts and the existing failures types. The developed model reflects superior performance in terms of accuracy and flexibility and the results obtained indicate a good agreement with the operating conditions.
Trade Agreements with Limited Punishments 1

This paper shows that free trade can never be achieved when punishment for deviation from a trade agreement is limited to ‘a withdrawal of equivalent concessions’. This is where retaliation is not allowed to entail higher tariffs than those set by the initial deviant, and is the most severe form of punishment allowed under WTO rules. If, in addition, deviations from agreements are also limited in some way, then efficient self-enforcing tariff reductions must be gradual.
HOPFIELD MODELS AS GENERALIZED RANDOM MEAN FIELD MODELS

We give a comprehensive self-contained review on the rigorous analysis of the thermodynamics of a class of random spin systems of mean field type whose most prominent example is the Hopfield model. We focus on the low temperature phase and the analysis of the Gibbs measures with large deviation techniques. There is a very detailed and complete picture in the regime of “small α”; a particularly satisfactory result concerns a non-trivial regime of parameters in which we prove 1) the convergence of the local “mean fields” to gaussian random variables with constant variance and random mean; the random means are from site to site independent gaussians themselves; 2) “propagation of chaos”, i.e. factorization of the extremal infinite volume Gibbs measures, and 3) the correctness of the “replica symmetric solution” of Amit, Gutfreund and Sompolinsky [AGS]. This last result was first proven by M. Talagrand [T4], using different techniques.
Stalking on Campus: A Gendered Perspective on Target Congruence and Opportunity

This study examines target congruence and lifestyle-routine activity behaviors as explanations of stalking victimization among college students, while also considering gender as a moderator in these relationships. Analysis of a nationwide sample of more than 75,000 students from 129 universities across the United States suggests that indicators of target antagonism, target gratifiability, and target vulnerability significantly predict stalking victimization. Indicators of lifestyle-routine activities—in particular, proximity to motivated offenders, exposure to motivated offenders, and target attractiveness—are also significantly related to stalking victimization. In addition, the importance of specific risk factors vary by gender. The results highlight the importance of target congruence as an expansion of lifestyle-routine activities theory, which can help to direct policies and prevention measures in a meaningful and systematic way.
T cells from late tumor-bearing mice express normal levels of p56lck, p59fyn, ZAP-70, and CD3 zeta despite suppressed cytolytic activity

Loss of T cell-associated signal transduction molecules has recently been implicated in immune suppression in tumor-bearing hosts. In the present study, we have examined this and related phenomenon extensively in a large number of tumor-bearing mice, analyzed individually. Splenic T cells from tumor-bearing mice were isolated and characterized with respect to the following: (a) levels of three tyrosine kinases, p56lck, p59fyn, and ZAP-70; (b) expression of CD3-zeta; (c) alloreactive responses; and (d) antigen-specific responses. Contrary to recent reports, T cells from tumor-bearing mice were observed to express normal levels of lck, fyn, ZAP-70, and CD3-zeta. Further, T cells showed healthy alloreactive and antigen-specific responses until approximately 3 wk after post tumor challenge, when the tumors constituted approximately 20% of the body weight. Alterations with respect to some parameters were observed only in mice that had been bearing larger tumors for a considerably longer period. As human tumors are unlikely to grow to such large sizes (e.g., > 20% of the total body weight), the significance of the alterations in T cell expression of lck, fyn, ZAP-70, or CD3-zeta in the immune status of cancer patients is unclear. Altogether, these results indicate that alterations in T cell signal transduction molecules do not account for the profound tumor-specific suppression observed during tumor growth.
What Is a Good Linear Finite Element? Interpolation, Conditioning, Anisotropy, and Quality Measures

When a mesh of simplicial elements (triangles or tetrahedra) is used to form a piecewise linear approximation of a function, the accuracy of the approximation depends on the sizes and shapes of the elements. In finite element methods, the conditioning of the stiffness matrices also depends on the sizes and shapes of the elements. This article explains the mathematical connections between mesh geometry, interpolation errors, discretization errors, and stiffness matrix conditioning. These relationships are expressed by error bounds and element quality measures that determine the fitness of a triangle or tetrahedron for interpolation or for achieving low condition numbers. Unfortunately, the quality measures for these purposes do not fully agree with each other; for instance, small angles are bad for matrix conditioning but not for interpolation or discretization. The upper and lower bounds on interpolation error and element stiffness matrix conditioning given here are tighter than those usually seen in the literature, so the quality measures are likely to be unusually precise indicators of element fitness. Bounds are included for anisotropic cases, wherein long, thin elements perform better than equilateral ones. Surprisingly, there are circumstances wherein interpolation, conditioning, and discretization error are each best served by elements of different aspect ratios or orientations. Supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Awards ACI-9875170, CMS-9980063, CCR-0204377, and EIA9802069, and in part by a gift from the Okawa Foundation. The views and conclusions in this document are those of the author. They are not endorsed by, and do not necessarily reflect the position or policies of, the Okawa Foundation or the U. S. Government.
The challenge problem for automated detection of 101 semantic concepts in multimedia

We introduce the challenge problem for generic video indexing to gain insight in intermediate steps that affect performance of multimedia analysis methods, while at the same time fostering repeatability of experiments. To arrive at a challenge problem, we provide a general scheme for the systematic examination of automated concept detection methods, by decomposing the generic video indexing problem into 2 unimodal analysis experiments, 2 multimodal analysis experiments, and 1 combined analysis experiment. For each experiment, we evaluate generic video indexing performance on 85 hours of international broadcast news data, from the TRECVID 2005/2006 benchmark, using a lexicon of 101 semantic concepts. By establishing a minimum performance on each experiment, the challenge problem allows for component-based optimization of the generic indexing issue, while simultaneously offering other researchers a reference for comparison during indexing methodology development. To stimulate further investigations in intermediate analysis steps that inuence video indexing performance, the challenge offers to the research community a manually annotated concept lexicon, pre-computed low-level multimedia features, trained classifier models, and five experiments together with baseline performance, which are all available at http://www.mediamill. nl/challenge/.
Retrospective analysis of accumulated structured practice: A Bayesian multilevel analysis of elite Brazilian volleyball players

ABSTRACT The patterns of cumulated structured volleyball practice and other structured sports activities of elite adult Brazilian players, considering age of specialization in volleyball and achievement of international competition representing the national team, were examined using Bayesian multilevel models. Elite volleyball players (n = 78) with an average age of 19.2 (SD = 0.9) years were considered. We used retrospective quantitative questionnaire to track individual training history. The mean age of specialization in volleyball was 10.7 (95% CI 10.3 to 11.0) for players that specialized early (before age 12), 14.1 (95% CI 13.9 to 14.3) for players that specialized intermediate (between ages 13 and 15), and 16.2 (95% CI 15.7 to 16.7) for players that specialized late (after age 16). Consequently, the earlier the specialization age in volleyball, the more years of training experience were accumulated. International and national level players were similar in both specialization age and pattern of engagement in other structured sport activities. Conditional on the data and models, attainment of expertise in volleyball may be favored by the accumulation of nonspecific sport experiences at early ages, and specialization may occur at a rather late age during adolescence.
G(AKSL2): a new cell surface antigen of the mouse related to the dualtropic mink cell focus-inducing class of murine leukemia virus detected by naturally occurring antibody

Normal mouse sera were tested for cytotoxic antibody to surface antigens of cultured monolayer cells infected with AKR-derived ecotropic MuLV, xentropic MuLV, or dualtropic MCF 247 MuLV. Antibody to ecotropic MuLV-infected cells was found in a proportion of C57BL/6, C3Hf/Bi, AKR-Fv-1b, and (C3Hf/Bi X AKR)F1 mice, but not AKR or (AKR X C3Hf/Bi)F1 mice. Antibody to xenotropic MuLV-infected cells was virtually restricted to C57BL/6 mice. Antibody to MCF 247-infected cells was found in all strains tested, including AKR mice. Absorption analysis of (C3Hf/Bi x akr)f1 and AKR-Fv-1b sera with selective reactivity for MCF 247-infected cells showed that these sera recognize distinctive antigens on MCF 247-infected cells that are not present on ecotropic or xenotropic MuLV-infected cells. The transplantable AKR spontaneous leukemia AKSL2 was found to be uniquely sensitive to the cytotoxic action of naturally occurring antibody to MCF 247-related antigens and absorption tests with AKSL2 as the target cell and sera from a single AKR-Fv-1b mouse have permitted the definition of a new MuLV-related cell surface antigen, which has been designated G(AKSL2). Thymocytes from young mice of high leukemia-incidence strains (AKR, C58, and PL) express G(AKSL2), whereas thymocytes from 12 other strains do not. In AKR mice, the antigen is expressed in higher amounts on cells from thymus and bone marrow than on spleen cells. All AKR spontaneous leukemias tested express G(AKSL2), as did three MuLV- induced leukemias arising in G(AKSL2)- strains. Five X-ray-induced leukemias of G(AKSL2)- strains were G(AKSL2)-, as were MuLV+ and MuLV- chemically induced sarcomas. In the limited survey conducted to date, natural antibody to G(AKSL2) has been restricted to strains expressing G(AKSL2) in their normal tissues: AKR, AKR congenic mice AKR-Fv-1b and AKR hybrid mice (C3Hf/Bi x akr)f1 and (C57BL/6 X AKR)F1. In vitro G(AKSL2) induction tests involving MuLV infection of cultured monolayer cells showed that 8 of 12 newly isolated dualtropic MuLV shared the property of G(AKSL2) induction with the prototype MCF MuLV, MCF 247. Of the 12 ecotropic MuLV tested, only the N-tropic MuLV isolated from a leukemia originally induced by Passage A Gross virus induced G(AKSL2). The xenotropic and amphotropic MuLV isolates tested lacked G(AKSL2) inducing activity. Recognition of the g(aksl2) system provides a way to trace the origin and natural history of a class of dualtropic MCF MuLV in the mouse and to determine whether natural antibody to G(AKSL2) plays a role in AKR leukemogenesis.
Thermodynamic Description of a Family of Partially Relaxed Stellar Systems

We examine the thermodynamic properties of a family of partially relaxed, anisotropic stellar systems, derived earlier from the Boltzmann entropy under the assumption that a third quantity Q is conserved in addition to the total energy and the total number of stars. We now show that the family of models conforms to the paradigm of the gravothermal catastrophe, which is expected to occur (in the presence of adequate energy transport mechanisms) when the one-parameter equilibrium sequence attains sufficiently high values of the concentration parameter; these are the values for which the models are well fitted by the R1/4 law. In the intermediate concentration regime the models belonging to the sequence exhibit significant deviations from the R1/4 law. Curiously, in the low-concentration regime, the global thermodynamic temperature associated with the models becomes negative when the models become too anisotropic so that they are unstable against the radial orbit instability; this latter behavior, while offering a new clue to the physical interpretation of the radial orbit instability, is at variance with respect to the low-concentration limit of the classical case of the isotropic, isothermal sphere investigated by Bonnor and Lynden-Bell & Wood.
Effect of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BB-12®, on defecation frequency in healthy subjects with low defecation frequency and abdominal discomfort: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BB-12®, on two primary end points – defecation frequency and gastrointestinal (GI) well-being – in healthy adults with low defecation frequency and abdominal discomfort. A total of 1248 subjects were included in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After a 2-week run-in period, subjects were randomised to 1 or 10 billion colony-forming units/d of the probiotic strain BB-12® or a matching placebo capsule once daily for 4 weeks. Subjects completed a diary on bowel habits, relief of abdominal discomfort and symptoms. GI well-being, defined as global relief of abdominal discomfort, did not show significant differences. The OR for having a defecation frequency above baseline for ≥50 % of the time was 1·31 (95 % CI 0·98, 1·75), P=0·071, for probiotic treatment overall. Tightening the criteria for being a responder to an increase of ≥1 d/week for ≥50 % of the time resulted in an OR of 1·55 (95 % CI 1·22, 1·96), P=0·0003, for treatment overall. A treatment effect on average defecation frequency was found (P=0·0065), with the frequency being significantly higher compared with placebo at all weeks for probiotic treatment overall (all P<0·05). Effects on defecation frequency were similar for the two doses tested, suggesting that a ceiling effect was reached with the one billion dose. Overall, 4 weeks’ supplementation with the probiotic strain BB-12® resulted in a clinically relevant benefit on defecation frequency. The results suggest that consumption of BB-12® improves the GI health of individuals whose symptoms are not sufficiently severe to consult a doctor (ISRCTN18128385).
Neural Stem Cells in the Subventricular Zone are Resilient to Hypoxia/Ischemia whereas Progenitors are Vulnerable

Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic (H/I) brain injury remains a major cause of neurologic disability. Because we have previously demonstrated that this insult depletes cells from the subventricular zone (SVZ), the goal of the present investigation was to compare the relative vulnerability to H/I of neural stem cells versus progenitors. The dorsolateral SVZs of P6 rats were examined at 2 to 48 hours of recovery from H/I using hematoxylin and eosin, in situ end labeling (ISEL), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2′-deoxyuridine 5′-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL), electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence. Pyknotic nuclei and ISEL+ cells were observed by 4 hours of recovery, peaked at 12 hours, and persisted for at least 48 hours. Many active-caspase3+ cells were observed at 12 hours and they comprised one third of the total TUNEL+ population. Electron microscopy revealed that hybrid cell deaths predominated at 12 hours of recovery. Importantly, few dying cells were observed in the medial SVZ, where putative stem cells reside, and no nestin+ medial SVZ cells showed caspase-3 activation. By contrast, active-caspase-3+/PSA-NCAM+ progenitors were prominent in the lateral SVZ. These data demonstrate that early progenitors are vulnerable to H/I, whereas neural stem cells are resilient. The demise of these early progenitors may lead to the depletion of neuronal and late oligodendrocyte progenitors, contributing to cerebral dysgenesis after perinatal insults.