Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sparse Randomized Partition Trees for Nearest Neighbor Search

Randomized partition trees have recently been shown to be very effective in solving nearest neighbor search problem. In spite of enjoying strong theoretical guarantee, it suffers from high space complexity, since each internal node of the tree needs to store a d dimensional projection direction leading to aO(nd) space complexity for a dataset of size n. Inspired by the fast Johnson-Lindenstrauss transform, in this paper, we propose a sparse version of randomized partition tree where each internal node needs to store only a few non-zero entries, as opposed to all d entries, leading to significant space savings without sacrificing much in terms of nearest neighbor search accuracy. As a by product of this, query time of our proposed method is slightly better than that of its non-sparse counterpart for large dataset size. Our theoretical results indicate that our proposed method enjoys the same theoretical guarantee as that of the original non-sparse RP-tree. Experimental evaluations on four real world dataset strongly suggest that nearest neighbor search performance of our proposed sparse RP-tree is very similar to that of its non-sparse counterpart in terms of accuracy and number of retrieved points.
SLEDAI : Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index SLICC : organ damage index CTC : steroids PPD : Purified Protein Derivative MDR-TB : multidrug resistant tuberculosis

In Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, one of the main causes of death are infections. So far, several articles have been published in SLE patients who reported an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis. Tuberculin skin tests (TST) are a common technique used for detecting latent tuberculosis (LTB), but there are several limitations. OBJECTIVES: to analyze the correlation between the TST and T.SPOT. TB for the diagnosis of LTB in SLE patients and the variables associated with this phenomenon. METHODS: 100 patients were included, 8/100 patients had been diagnosed and treated for LTB. RESULTS: 92 patients (not treated for LTB) had T.SPOT. TB positive in 5 cases (5.4%), undetermined in 4 (4.3%) and negative in 83 (90.2%). TST was affected by taking steroids and / or immunosuppressives (IS) (p = 0.021) while the T.SPOT. TB was not affected. The T.SPOT. TB indeterminate results were associated with longer disease diagnosis (p = 0.028) and organ damage index (p = 0.002). The degree of correlation between the two tests for the entire study population was low (Kappa = 0.324) but it was better in patients without steroids/ IS treatment (Kappa = 0.436) and in those taking hydroxychloroquine (Kappa = 0.473). Sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) of T.SPOT. TB compared with the TST were S: 40%, SP: 95.4%, PPV 96.5% and NPV 33.3%. CONCLUSION: in SLE patients who are not treated with corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs, the TST remains a valid and reliable way of diagnosing LTB.
Cross-Firm Information Flows and the Predictability of Stock Returns

We identify all return leader-follower pairs among individual stocks using Granger causality regressions. Thus-identified leaders can reliably predict their followers' returns out of sample, and the return predictability works at the level of individual stocks rather than industries. Our results indicate that, independent of its size, any firm may emerge as a return leader by being at the center of an important news development that has ramifications for other firms. Indeed, stocks undergoing news-generating developments see an increase in the number of stocks whose returns they lead.
Studies on the anaerobic metabolism and the aerobic carbohydrate consumption of some fresh water snails.

1. Lymnaeidae and Physidae tolerated complete lack of oxygen less well than Planorbidae or operculates belonging to different families.2. All species consumed carbohydrate under anaerobic conditions and produced carbon dioxide and lactic acid. While in several species the lactic acid produced was sufficient to account for all or a large part of the carbon dioxide as liberated from bicarbonate, this was not the case in other species.3. The anaerobic metabolic level as measured by carbon dioxide production and carbohydrate consumption of the resistant species was, on an average, lower than that of the nonresistant ones. The former did not accumulate lactic acid within their tissues during an anaerobic period, while the latter did so to a marked degree.4. In most species the anaerobic carbohydrate consumption was only slightly higher than the aerobic rate. One of the reasons for this may be the probable occurrence of aerobic fermentations in these species.5. Lactic acid was quantitatively a major end product.
Genetic variation in heroin‐induced changes in behaviour: effects of B6 strain dose on conditioned reward and locomotor sensitization in 129‐B6 hybrid mice

Substantial interindividual variability exists in the propensity to develop opiate addiction. Genetic variation in opiate reward may contribute to this variability. A large body of evidence indicates genetic variation in mice for several effects of opiate drugs. The present study examined heroin‐induced place conditioning and locomotor sensitization in the two strains of mice employed most frequently in the generation of transgenic animals, C57BL/6J (B6) and 129X1/sVJ (129), as well as in groups of B6‐129 hybrid mice, differing in their amount of B6 genetic background. Four pairings of 100 µg/kg of heroin elicited robust place conditioning and locomotor sensitization in B6 controls and in N10 congenic B6‐129 hybrid mice. In comparison, the identical treatment produced no locomotor sensitization and induced place aversion in 129 controls. No heroin‐induced changes in the behaviour of N3 congenic B6‐129 hybrid mice or F5‐8 non‐congenic B6‐129 hybrid mice were observed. The expression of place conditioning was not facilitated in any group by the administration of a heroin‐priming injection prior to testing. These data indicate that genetic variation exists in mice for the rewarding and locomotor‐sensitizing effects of heroin and that the capacity of heroin to induce conditioned reward and locomotor sensitization can be modulated in a B6 strain dose‐dependent manner in B6‐129 hybrid mice. Thus, strain differences in heroin responsiveness should be considered when examining transgenic lines on B6‐129 backgrounds for opiate‐induced changes in behaviour that may be relevant for addiction.
Approximation of the invariant law of SPDEs: error analysis using a Poisson equation for a full-discretization scheme

We study the long-time behavior of fully discretized semilinear SPDEs with additive space-time white noise, which admit a unique invariant probability measure $\mu$. We show that the average of regular enough test functions with respect to the (possibly non unique) invariant laws of the approximations are close to the corresponding quantity for $\mu$. More precisely, we analyze the rate of the convergence with respect to the different discretization parameters. Here we focus on the discretization in time thanks to a scheme of Euler type, and on a Finite Element discretization in space. The results rely on the use of a Poisson equation; we obtain that the rates of convergence for the invariant laws are given by the weak order of the discretization on finite time intervals: order $1/2$ with respect to the time-step and order $1$ with respect to the mesh-size.
The clinical significance of serum transferrin receptor levels in sickle cell disease

Summary. Serum transferrin receptor (TfR) levels were measured in 182 children with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease, 47 with sickle cell–haemoglobin C (SC) disease and 41 normal (AA) controls on their eighth birthday. Highly significant elevations occurred in SS compared to SC disease and in SC disease compared to AA controls. Females had higher levels than males in controls but lower levels than males in SS and SC disease. In SS disease, serum TfR levels tended to rise with age from 2 to 8 years, the change within individuals correlating with a change in reticulocyte count (r,=0·38, P=0·017) and fall in fetal haemoglobin levels (r,=−0·51, P= 0·004). Serum TfR levels did not change with infection or painful crisis but were markedly elevated in hypersplenism and fell following splenectomy in these subjects. In the aplastic crisis, serum TfR levels tended to rise following clinical presentation and then fall, reflecting the reticulocyte counts. These observations are consistent with serum TfR levels being a useful indicator of the degree of erythropoietic expansion in sickle cell disease.
Distributed-memory parallel routing for field-programmable gatearrays

The problems of placement and routing are without doubt the most time-consuming part of the process of automatically synthesizing and configuring circuits for field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs offer the ability to quickly reconfigure circuits to support rapid prototyping, emulation, or configurable computing, but the time to perform placement and routing, which can take many hours, has become a serious bottleneck. This problem is addressed here by showing that the negotiation-based routing paradigm, which has been applied successfully in several FPGA routers, can be parallelized to achieve increased performance without any significant decrease in the quality of the results. In this paper, we report several new findings related to the negotiation-based routing paradigm. We examine in-depth the convergence of the negotiation-based routing algorithm. We illustrate that the negotiation-based algorithm can be parallelized. Finally, we demonstrate that a negotiation-based parallel FPGA router performs well in terms of delay and speedup with practical FPGA circuits.
The IN Harmony project: Developing a flexible metadata model for the description and discovery of sheet music

– The purpose of this paper is to describe a user‐centered approach to developing a metadata model for an inter‐institutional project to describe and digitize sheet music collections. , – Query logs analysis, card sort, and task scenario studies were used to explore users' needs for the discovery of sheet music. Findings from these studies were used to design an interoperable metadata model for sheet music meeting the needs of libraries, archives, and museums. , – The user studies conducted demonstrated to the project team the need and methods for recording titles, names, dates, subjects, and cover art for sheet music described as part of the IN Harmony project. It was also learned that tying user studies directly to the design of metadata models can be an effective approach for digital library projects. , – The metadata model developed by the IN Harmony project will be reusable for other sheet music collections at a wide variety of institutions. The user‐centered methodologies used to develop the metadata model will similarly be reusable for other digital library projects in the future. , – The approach described in this paper brings together standard user study methodologies with metadata design in a novel way, and demonstrates the effectiveness of a methodology that can be reused to plan metadata creation in future digital projects.
Skip inflammation of the appendiceal orifice: A prospective endoscopic study

Objective. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the incidence of discontinuous inflammation of the appendiceal orifice in patients undergoing colonoscopy for diagnosis or surveillance of colonic disease. Material and methods. Consecutive and unselected patients subjected to colonoscopy over a 3-year period were included in a prospective study. Biopsies were taken within 2 cm of the orifice of the appendix, from the caecum and from predefined colonic segments. Discontinuous inflammation of the appendiceal orifice was defined as an area of macroscopic inflammatory changes distinct from a normal caecum of ascending colon. The biopsies were graded histologically for the presence and severity of inflammation by a pathologist without knowledge of the endoscopic findings. Results. A total of 271 patients were included. The final diagnoses were: ulcerative colitis (UC) (83 patients), Crohn's disease (CD) (54), indeterminate colitis (12), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (54), microscopic colitis (15) and other disease (53). Endoscopic discontinuous inflammation of the appendiceal orifice was found in 27% (95% CI: 17–38%) of patients with UC, 24% (95% CI: 13–39%) with CD, 40% (95% CI: 12–74%) with indeterminate colitis, 8% (95% CI: 0–36%) with microscopic colitis, 10% (95% CI: 3–24%) of patients with IBS and in 9% (95% CI: 2–21%) of other diseases (p < 0.05). A correlation was found for endoscopic and histological discrimination between normal and inflamed mucosa (p < 0.001). However, in 24% of patients, endoscopic inflammation was without histological signs of inflammation, primarily in an otherwise normal colon. Conclusions. Discontinuous inflammation of the appendiceal orifice is common in patients with IBD irrespective of clinical activity. However, patients with otherwise normal colon may also show congestion of this area without or with minimal microscopic inflammation.
Alopecia areata and presence of cytomegalovirus DNA.

To the Editor. —Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, we found evidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in paraffin-block sections of lesions of alopecia areata. Our interest in this association was first aroused by a 15-year-old male patient who developed sore throat, arthralgias, fever, chills, and diffuse lymphadenopathy. Evaluation by several other physicians had failed to uncover a cause. Tests for mononucleosis, among others, were negative. He developed widespread alopecia areata with loss of most of the hair on his scalp and body. His symptoms suggested CMV infection; a convalescent serum IgG by enzyme immunoassay titer to CMV was 1.30, with normal being less than 0.25. Because of this case, we instituted further studies. Twenty-one of 35 alopecia areata patients had similarly elevated antibody titers. Results of in situ hybridization tests on paraffin-block biopsy specimens of 10 patients with alopecia areata were all negative. Specimens for PCR study were chosen from
Corporate Social Responsibility And Competitive Advantage By Commercial Banks In Kenya

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to operating a business in a manner that accounts for the social and environmental impact created by the business. Strategic decisions of large companies involve social as well as economic consequences, which are intimately connected. Commercial banks in Kenya operate in a dynamic environment characterized by technological changes, competition, regulatory requirements, economic changes and opportunistic strategic decisions. CSR programmes are applicable to virtually all organizations and banks are more sensitive to these programmes as they have to strive to satisfy a multiplicity of stakeholders. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of Corporate Social responsibility as a strategy on the Competitive Advantage of the commercial banks in Kenya. This study used descriptive research design. The population of this study comprised all Banks that were in operation in Kenya by December 2012 whereby a census was conducted. The study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire; the questionnaires were administered to Corporate Affairs Managers of the banks. Quantitative data collected was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics using SPSS and presented through percentages, means, standard deviations and frequencies. The findings of this study established that CSR increased customer awareness of the core function and products offered, improved the level of customer loyalty, improved the Bank’s product marketability, diversification, reduced the marketing costs and operational cost as well as promotion of the image of the Bank. The study found out that CSR was integrated with some element of marketing the banks; it is therefore recommended that banks should ensure that CSR activities are integrated with all element of marketing the bank. Further, the study established that CSR promoted the employees’ perception of the Banks, increased the interaction of the Bank with its stakeholders, promoted the relationship between the Bank and the society. The study further found out that CSR increased customer awareness of the core function and products offered, improves the level of customer loyalty, improves the Bank’s product marketability, diversification, reduce the marketing costs and operational cost as well as promotion of the image of the Bank. The study findings also showed a positive correlation between corporate social responsibility and age of the Bank, ownership and number of employees. The study recommends that Banks should use CSR in order to enhance their level of competitiveness. The study therefore recommends that the banks should adopt CSR so as to increase customer awareness of the core function and products offered, improve the level of customer loyalty, improve the Bank’s product marketability, diversification, reduce the marketing costs and operational cost as well as promotion of the image of the Bank. This study recommends that CSR should be adopted in order to enhance the level of competitiveness in the banks.
Subjective memory beliefs and cognitive performance in normal and mildly impaired older adults

Previous research suggests that subjective perceptions of memory may be related to objective memory performance. In the present study, healthy community-dwelling elders (N = 73, mean age = 75.25 years, education = 16.2 years) completed a neuropsychological assessment, including two questionnaires of subjective memory beliefs. Each participant was identified, via consensus conference, as belonging to either an amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 16) or no mild cognitive impairment (noMCI, n = 57) group. Results indicated that subjective memory capacity beliefs were significantly related to verbal memory performance in the MCI group, but not in the noMCI group. This differential relationship persisted even after controlling for depressive symptoms, and was not reflective of unequal variances in the two groups. Thus, results indicate that subjective memory beliefs may be better indicators of performance in those with possible incipient cognitive impairment than normal older adults, perhaps because persons with MCI have heightened insight into their memory functioning, and that this relationship is not due to group differences in depressive symptoms.
Molecular Chaperones as Prognostic Markers of Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood tumor derived from sympathoadreanal lineage of the neural crest progenitor cells, and is the most common malignant disease of infancy, accounting for 96% of cases occurred before the age of 10 (Gurney et al., 1995, Maris and Matthay, 1999). The neuroblastoma cells exhibit characteristics of undifferentiated cells and often metastasize to distant organs (Maris and Matthay, 1999, Maris et al., 2007). Approximately, 60% of patients diagnosed with NB display a stage IV disease and a very poor prognosis. The 5-year survival rate of NB patients is no more than 30%, even with aggressive therapy (Nishihira et al., 2000). As a result, 50% of the NB patients die from this disease that continues to be one of the most difficult challenges among pediatric tumors. NB is quite a heterogeneous tumor and presents a broad clinical and biologic spectrum ranging from highly undifferentiated tumors with very poor outcomes to the most differentiated benign ganglioneuroma or NBs with high probability of spontaneous regression and hence favorable prognosis. The clinical presentation of NB can be categorized into three distinct patterns based on the tumor histology: (i) life-threatening progression; (ii) maturation to ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) or ganglioneuroma (GN); and (iii) spontaneous regression (Pritchard and Hickman, 1994). Taking other biological variables into account, NBs can be categorized into two groups in terms of prognosis (Brodeur, 2003, Woods et al., 1992). One, the favorable NB, is associated with young age and
The Relationship Between ISO 9000 Certification, TQM Practices, and Organizational Performance

There is no consensus among the research community about the relationship between ISO 9000 certification and total quality management (TQM). Some researchers suggest that ISO 9000 certification be implemented first to create a favorable environment for TQM implementation next, while others believe TQM provides a good starting point for ISO 9000 certification. The effect of each of these quality management practices on organizational performance is still debated. This paper developed a conceptual model to study the relationships between ISO 9000 certification, TQM practices, and organizational performance. The model was tested with data collected from 176 certified firms in various industrial sectors in Tunisia. Data analysis indicated considerable support for the conceptual model. The results indicated that, in the case of Tunisian firms, implementing ISO 9000 first before embarking on TQM leads to better organizational performance, although both ISO 9000 certification and TQM practices directly affect organizational performance.
Impact of Female Gender on Prognosis in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Ischemic Stroke

This study assessed gender differences in diabetic patients with ischemic stroke with respect to vascular risk factors, clinical features and early outcome. Ischemic stroke was diagnosed in 261 diabetic women and 300 diabetic men of 2,446 ischemic stroke patients included in a prospective stroke registry over 17 years. Mean +/- SD age was 77.5 +/- 8.3 years in women and 71.8 +/- 9.7 years in men (p < 0.021). Risk factors for stroke including hypertension, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and valvular heart disease were significantly more common in women. Cardioembolic infarction occurred in 29.5% of women and 15.3% of men (p < 0.001), and lacunar stroke in 40.3% of men and 29.9% of women (p < 0.006). In-hospital mortality was 14.9% in diabetic women, and 8.3% in diabetic men (p < 0.02). After multivariate analysis, congestive heart failure (OR = 4.59), frontal lobe involvement (OR = 2.67), hypertension (OR = 1.62) and age were independent variables for ischemic stroke in diabetic women. Diabetic women had a poor prognosis, which may be due to differences in age, comorbidity and stroke subtype distribution.
Working Capital Management and Profitability of Manufacturing Firms in Ghana

Working capital management is a very important component of corporate finance because it directly affects the liquidity and profitability of the company. It deals with current assets and current liabilities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between working capital management and profitability for 15 manufacturing companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange over a period of 2011 to 2015, using panel least squares regression. The results indicate a significant negative relationship between return on assets and accounts receivable, inventory turnover, accounts payable, and cash conversion cycle. This suggests that managers can create value for their shareholders by reducing the number of day’s accounts receivable and inventories to a reasonable minimum. The negative relationship between accounts payable and profitability is consistent with the view that less profitable firms delay in settling their bills.