Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computing Jacobi's \theta in quasi-linear time

Jacobi's $\theta$ function has numerous applications in mathematics and computer science; a naive algorithm allows the computation of $\theta(z,\tau)$, for $z, \tau$ verifying certain conditions, with precision $P$ in $O(\mathcal{M}(P) \sqrt{P})$ bit operations, where $\mathcal{M}(P)$ denotes the number of operations needed to multiply two complex $P$-bit numbers. We generalize an algorithm which computes specific values of the $\theta$ function (the \textit{theta-constants}) in asymptotically faster time; this gives us an algorithm to compute $\theta(z, \tau)$ with precision $P$ in $O(\mathcal{M}(P) \log P)$ bit operations, for any $\tau \in \mathcal{F}$ and $z$ reduced using the quasi-periodicity of $\theta$.
Biomechanical Risk Factors for Proximal Junctional Kyphosis: A Detailed Numerical Analysis of Surgical Instrumentation Variables

Study Design. Biomechanical analysis of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) through computer simulations and sensitivity analysis. Objective. To gain biomechanical knowledge on the risk of PJK and find surgical solutions to reduce the risks. Summary of Background Data. PJK is a pathological kyphotic deformity adjacent to the instrumentation. Clinical studies have documented its risk factors, but still little is known on how it is correlated with various individual instrumentation variables. Methods. Biomechanical spine models of 6 patients with adult scoliosis were developed, validated, and then used to perform 576 simulations, varying the proximal dissection procedure, the implant type at the upper instrumented vertebra, the sagittal rod curvature, and the proximal diameter of the proximal transition rods. Four biomechanical indices—the proximal junctional kyphotic angle, thoracic kyphosis, proximal flexion force, and proximal flexion moment—were assessed. Results. The bilateral complete facetectomy, the posterior ligaments resection, and the combination of both increased the proximal junctional kyphotic angle (respectively, by 10%, 28% and 53%) and the proximal flexion force (4%, 12%, and 22%) and moment (16%, 44%, and 83%). Compared with pedicle screws at upper instrumented vertebra, proximal transverse process hooks reduced the 3 biomechanical indices by approximately 26%. The use of proximal transition rods with reduced proximal diameter from 5.5 mm to 4 mm decreased the proximal junctional kyphotic angle (by 6%) and the proximal flexion force (4%) and moment (8%). The increase of the sagittal rod curvature from 10° to 20°, 30°, and 40° increased the proximal junctional kyphotic angle (by 6%, 13%, and 19%) and the proximal flexion force (3%, 7%, and 10%) and moment (9%, 18%, and 27%). Conclusion. Preserving more posterior proximal intervertebral elements, the use of transition rods and transverse process hooks at upper instrumented vertebra, and reducing the global sagittal rod curvature each decreased the 4 biomechanical indices that may be involved in PJK. Level of Evidence: N/A
Did Narrowing the Major Depression Bereavement Exclusion From DSM-III-R to DSM-IV Increase Validity?: Evidence From the National Comorbidity Survey

The DSM's major-depression “bereavement exclusion” eliminates bereavement-related depressive episodes (BRDs) from diagnosis unless they are “complicated” by prolonged duration or certain severe symptoms. The exclusion was substantially narrowed in DSM-IV to decrease false-negative diagnoses, but the impact of this change remains unknown. We divided BRDs in the National Comorbidity Survey into uncomplicated versus complicated categories using broader DSM-III-R and narrower DSM-IV exclusion criteria. Using 6 pathology validators (symptom number, melancholic depression, suicide attempt, interference with life, medication for depression, and hospitalization for depression), we compared the validity of the 2 exclusion criteria sets using 2 tests: (1) which criteria set yielded less pathological uncomplicated cases or more pathological complicated cases; (2) which yielded the largest separation between uncomplicated and complicated pathology levels. Results of both tests indicated that the narrower DSM-IV criteria substantially decreased the exclusion's validity. These results suggest caution regarding the current proposal to eliminate the bereavement exclusion in DSM-5.
What is the function of hippocampal theta rhythm?—Linking behavioral data to phasic properties of field potential and unit recording data

The extensive physiological data on hippocampal theta rhythm provide an opportunity to evaluate hypotheses about the role of theta rhythm for hippocampal network function. Computational models based on these hypotheses help to link behavioral data with physiological measurements of different variables during theta rhythm. This paper reviews work on network models in which theta rhythm contributes to the following functions: (1) separating the dynamics of encoding and retrieval, (2) enhancing the context‐dependent retrieval of sequences, (3) buffering of novel information in entorhinal cortex (EC) for episodic encoding, and (4) timing interactions between prefrontal cortex and hippocampus for memory‐guided action selection. Modeling shows how these functional mechanisms are related to physiological data from the hippocampal formation, including (1) the phase relationships of synaptic currents during theta rhythm measured by current source density analysis of electroencephalographic data from region CA1 and dentate gyrus, (2) the timing of action potentials, including the theta phase precession of single place cells during running on a linear track, the context‐dependent changes in theta phase precession across trials on each day, and the context‐dependent firing properties of hippocampal neurons in spatial alternation (e.g., “splitter cells”), (3) the cholinergic regulation of sustained activity in entorhinal cortical neurons, and (4) the phasic timing of prefrontal cortical neurons relative to hippocampal theta rhythm. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epoxy Composite Reinforced with Nano and Micro SiC Particles: Curing Kinetics and Mechanical Properties

Epoxy-based composite materials reinforced with hard particles can be used as anti-wear coatings. In this study, a commercial bicomponent resin was used, with 6 and 12% SiC particles in two different particle sizes (nano and 10 µm). The epoxy curing process was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and confocal microscopy. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) tests evaluated the influence of particle additions on the glass transition temperature (T g ). In addition, mechanical properties (hardness and bending strength) and wear resistance were evaluated. The addition of nanometric particles reduced the reaction order. A higher amount of particles decreased T g due to the lower number of crosslinking points. The agglomeration of nano particles led to non-uniform mechanical properties. 6% nano particle addition dramatically improved wear resistance and decreased the friction coefficient.
Statistical geometry of random fibrous networks, revisited: Waviness, dimensionality, and percolation

Waviness alters both geometric and mechanical properties of stochastic fibrous networks and significantly affects overall mechanical response, but few results are available in the literature on the subject. In this work, we explore the importance of the dimension of constituent fibers (1D vs 2D) in determination of percolation thresholds, and other fundamental statistical properties of fibers having geometric waviness, in adaptation of classical theories on random lattices to practical applications, including analysis of nanotube ropes and collagen bundles. Although the so-called “curl ratio” clearly affects the statistical properties, as evaluated by Kallmes and Corte a few decades ago, we have found some results in this classic work to be inaccurate for systems containing fibers of moderate waviness. Our main findings include the independence of the mean number of crossings with regard to waviness, as well as the nonlinear dependence of probability of intersection on waviness. Our investigation of perco.
Geometric spanners for routing in mobile networks

We propose a new routing graph, the restricted Delaunay graph (RDG), for mobile ad hoc networks. Combined with a node clustering algorithm, the RDG can be used as an underlying graph for geographic routing protocols. This graph has the following attractive properties: 1) it is planar; 2) between any two graph nodes there exists a path whose length, whether measured in terms of topological or Euclidean distance, is only a constant times the minimum length possible; and 3) the graph can be maintained efficiently in a distributed manner when the nodes move around. Furthermore, each node only needs constant time to make routing decisions. We show by simulation that the RDG outperforms previously proposed routing graphs in the context of the Greedy perimeter stateless routing (GPSR) protocol. Finally, we investigate theoretical bounds on the quality of paths discovered using GPSR.
Simultaneous comparison of three methods for assessing ceftazidime penetration into extravascular fluid

The penetration of ceftazidime, a new broad-spectrum cephalosporin, into fluids from subcutaneous threads, suction blisters, and cantharidin blisters was studied in eight healthy male volunteers. A pharmacokinetic analysis showed fundamental differences between the models. The results obtained with the subcutaneous thread technique were similar to those of the peripheral compartment and were characteristic of a rapidly equilibrating compartment. The results obtained with the suction and cantharidin blister techniques were characteristic of slowly equilibrating compartments. We concluded that although one model will not accurately predict the penetration of an antibiotic in all clinical situations, each model will have its own particular application.
RO-SVM: Support Vector Machine with Reject Option for Image Categorization

When applying Multiple Instance Learning (MIL) for image categorization, an image is treated as a bag containing a number of instances, each representing a region inside the image. The categorization of this image is determined by the labels of these instances, which are not specified in the training data-set. Hence, these instance labels are needed to be estimated together with the classifier. To improve classification reliability, we propose in this paper a new Support Vector Machine approach by incorporating a reject option, named RO-SVM to determine the instance labels, and the rejection region during the training phase simultaneously. Our approach can also be easily extended to solve multi-class classification problems. Experimental results demonstrate that higher categorization accuracy can be achieved with our RO-SVM method, comparing to approaches that do not exclude uninformative image patches. Our method is able to produce results comparable even with few training samples.
Sleep and Memory

Recent experimental and theoretical advances suggest that memories may be reorganized in the cortex during sleep. During sleep, our brains are highly active. The low-amplitude, high-frequency activity in the neocortex characteristic of the awake state is replaced with high amplitude, low-frequency rhythms during slow-wave sleep [1]. It would seem unlikely that the extensive corti-cal activity during sleep does not have some purpose; however, there is still no consensus on why we need to sleep. One intriguing possibility is that information acquired during the day is compared during sleep with older memories [2]. Previous neural network models included such a 'sleep phase' to calibrate the storage of memories acquired by Hebbian mechanisms [3-5]. Recent recordings from the hippocampus [6], and a new neural network model [7], lend experimental support and computational motivation to the possibility that we may sleep in order to organize efficient cortical representations of experience. Cortical representations of objects and events are widely distributed in the cerebral cortex. Thus, the representation of a violin might be stored in areas as diverse as the visual cortex, for its shape, the auditory cortex, for its sound, the parietal cortex, for how it may be grasped, and the motor cortex, for how it is played [8]. Problems arise when new experiences and objects must be integrated with existing information that is widely distributed. Learning algorithms designed for artificial neural networks that use such distributed representations can suffer from 'catastrophic interference' when new information is stored in the same neural circuits as old information [9]. Therefore, the brain must solve two problems during learning: where to make the changes needed to create a new memory; and how to make changes that are compatible with previously stored memories. There appears to be a period of consolidation before a memory becomes permanently stored. Thus, lesions of hippocampal formation, including the parahippocampal, perirhinal and entorhinal cortices, lead to memory deficits for up to 6 weeks following learning in monkeys [10], and more than a year in man. After this period of consolidation, lesions of the same areas are less disruptive, implying that the memories are stored elsewhere. Until recently, the processes that may occur in the cortex during the period of consolidation could only be inferred indirectly from such lesion experiments. Wilson and McNaughton [6] have reported changes that occur in the correlations between hippocampal neurons as a consequence of a new learning experience. They …
Two novel antifungals, acornine 1 and acornine 2, from the bark of mangrove plant Aegiceras corniculatum (Linn.) Blanco from Sundarban Estuary

Background: Microbes have been implicated in a wide variety of human diseases many of which are of life-threatening nature. New antimicrobials are urgently needed not only for combating these organisms but also to counter the menace of the harmful microbes developing resistance against drugs at alarming rates. Mangrove plants are rich sources of secondary metabolites having many beneficial biological activities including antimicrobial ones. True to this fact, this report describes identification, isolation and partial characterization of two novel antifungal compounds from Aegiceras corniculatum, a mangrove plant from Indian Sundarban estuary. Materials and Methods: Two compounds, named as Acornine 1 and Acornine 2, having antifungal activities were isolated from the bark of A. corniculatum, a mangrove plant, by using standard techniques. The compounds were characterized using routine microbiological and physicochemical methods. Results: Partial structural characterization of the two compounds indicated they are oleanane triterpenoids with linked sugar moieties. While both the compounds exhibited growth inhibition in tested Gram positive bacteria, Acornine 2 in particular demonstrated strong antifungal activities against several pathogenic fungi tested. Results also indicated that various environmental factors may govern the secondary metabolite profiles of the same mangrove plants growing in different geographical areas. Conclusion: Tissue extracts of Aegiceras corniculatum, a mangrove plant from Indian Sundarban estuary, exhibited the presence of remarkable antifungal activities. The isolated compounds responsible for such activities, named as Acornine 1 and Acornine 2, appear to have potential in food processing and health care industry. They need to be studied further.
Experimental Measurement and Numerical Simulation of Water Vapor Diffusion through Asphalt Pavement Materials

Moisture damage in asphalt mixtures is defined as the gradual loss of structural integrity caused by the presence of moisture. A simple experimental procedure was developed in this study to measure water vapor diffusion coefficients in coarse aggregates, fine aggregate mixture (blend of the fine portion of the aggregates with the asphalt binder), and hot-mix asphalt. The procedure is based on periodic weight measurements of specimen-container ensembles subjected to a controlled temperature and relative humidity environment. Fick’s first law was used to estimate the diffusion coefficients of the materials. The results show that the proposed experimental method is an economic and efficient tool to quantify water vapor diffusion coefficients. Determining these material properties is fundamental to develop numerical models to study the deleterious effects of moisture vapor on the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures. In order to exemplify the significance of the experimental measurements, a numerical si.
Single-sided deafness and directional hearing: contribution of spectral cues and high-frequency hearing loss in the hearing ear

Direction-specific interactions of sound waves with the head, torso, and pinna provide unique spectral-shape cues that are used for the localization of sounds in the vertical plane, whereas horizontal sound localization is based primarily on the processing of binaural acoustic differences in arrival time (interaural time differences, or ITDs) and sound level (interaural level differences, or ILDs). Because the binaural sound-localization cues are absent in listeners with total single-sided deafness (SSD), their ability to localize sound is heavily impaired. However, some studies have reported that SSD listeners are able, to some extent, to localize sound sources in azimuth, although the underlying mechanisms used for localization are unclear. To investigate whether SSD listeners rely on monaural pinna-induced spectral-shape cues of their hearing ear for directional hearing, we investigated localization performance for low-pass filtered (LP, <1.5 kHz), high-pass filtered (HP, >3kHz), and broadband (BB, 0.5–20 kHz) noises in the two-dimensional frontal hemifield. We tested whether localization performance of SSD listeners further deteriorated when the pinna cavities of their hearing ear were filled with a mold that disrupted their spectral-shape cues. To remove the potential use of perceived sound level as an invalid azimuth cue, we randomly varied stimulus presentation levels over a broad range (45–65 dB SPL). Several listeners with SSD could localize HP and BB sound sources in the horizontal plane, but inter-subject variability was considerable. Localization performance of these listeners strongly reduced after diminishing of their spectral pinna-cues. We further show that inter-subject variability of SSD can be explained to a large extent by the severity of high-frequency hearing loss in their hearing ear.
Induced matchings in cubic graphs

In this paper, we show that the edge set of a cubic graph can always be partitioned into 10 subsets, each of which induces a matching in the graph. This result is a special case of a general conjecture made by Erdos and NeSetiil: For each d 2 3, the edge set of a graph of maximum degree d can always be partitioned into [5d2/4] subsets each of which induces a matching. 0 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Complementary medicine use by patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Objective:The purpose of this study was to establish the degree and determinants of the use of complementary therapies by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their reasons for seeking them.Methods:The first phase was a cross-sectional survey of 134 patients with IBD (98 with Crohn's disease, 34 with ulcerative colitis, and two indeterminate) using a mailed, structured questionnaire (response rate 70%). Determinants of complementary medicine use were examined using logistic regression. The second phase was an in-depth exploration using personal interviews of the beliefs and perceptions of 14 complementary medicine users about the management of their disease. Analysis was performed using standard qualitative techniques and the identification of important, patient-identified themes about the management of IBD.Results:Complementary therapies had been used by 51% of patients in the previous 2 yr. Current use was reported by 33%, of whom one-half were using it for their IBD. Vitamins and herbal products were the most commonly reported therapies. In multivariate analysis, duration of disease > 10 yr and a history of hospitalization were independent predictors of complementary medicine use. The side effects and lack of effectiveness of standard therapies were the most commonly cited reasons for seeking complementary medicine. Sixty-two percent had told their doctor about their use of complementary medicine.Conclusions:Complementary medicine use is common in patients with IBD, especially among those with a longer duration of disease or a history of hospitalization.
Fatigue behavior of graphite-epoxy laminates at elevated temperatures

The fatigue behavior of multidirectional graphite-epoxy laminates is examined and analyzed in terms of the single lamina behavior. The nonlinear viscoelastic moduli of the epoxy matrix are changed with temperature and thus the characteristics of the laminae are altered. As a result, the static and fatigue strengths of a laminate are changed due to the redistribution of the stress field in the laminate and the weakening effect of temperature on the matrix. The fatigue behavior of a single lamina is characterized by its static strength and its "fatigue function" that expresses the degradation in the strength of the lamina due to cyclic loading. The effect of temperature is introduced through the use of "shifting factors" for both the static strength and the "fatigue function. " The laminate strength is predicted by considering the cyclic stress field in each lamina, the interlaminar stresses, and the experimentally determined shifting factors. The first failure of a lamina in a laminate is examined first in terms of stress redistribution and second in terms of total failure and final laminate fracture. The analytically determined results are compared with the actual fatigue behavior of many T300/5208 graphite-epoxy composite laminates. The experimental results are shown to be in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. The temperature "shifting factors" enable one to predict long-term behavior at some temperature from short-time testing at elevated temperatures.