Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bloggers as experts

We address the task of (blog) feed distillation: to find blogs that are principally devoted to a given topic. The task may be viewed as an association finding task, between topics and bloggers. Under this view, it resembles the expert finding task, for which a range of models have been proposed. We adopt two language modeling-based approaches to expert finding, and determine their effectiveness as feed distillation strategies. The two models capture the idea that a human will often search for key blogs by spotting highly relevant posts (the Posting model) or by taking global aspects of the blog into account (the Blogger model). Results show the Blogger model outperforms the Posting model and delivers state-of-the art performance, out-of-the-box.
From UNB PanSharp to Fuze Go – the success behind the pan-sharpening algorithm

The pan-sharpening algorithm, known as UNB PanSharp, was adopted by PCI Geomatics in 2002 and by DigitalGlobe (DG) in 2003, resulting in PCI PanSharp and DG PanSharp. Now, UNB PanSharp is developed as a stand-alone software tool, named Fuze Go™, that can be used stand-alone, integrated into ENVI and potentially into other major geo-spatial software packages such as EDARS, ESRI, and SOCET. In addition, it is in the process to integrate Fuze Go into GeoMarketSpace – a new online system that turns all geospatial information into answers. What has made UNB PanSharp successful for the last 10 years and still standing out from millions of research publications in the area? This article will go through the general principles of individual pan-sharpening algorithms that have been adopted by industry and widely used by users globally to find out the differences between UNB PanSharp and the other pan-sharpening algorithms.
A Parallel Unification

he field of artificial intelligence is gaining in popularity and actively expanding into many areas of application. AI served as the basis for T Japan’s Fifth-Generation Computer Project with the primary goal of replacing traditional von Neumann computers with machines that could reason, learn, and associate. These machines can also infer, decide, and understand speech, written text, and pictures. ’ Prolog and Lisp are the two primary languages available to AI programmers and knowledge-base developers. Prolog’s statements in the form of logic propositions, its argument-matching capability, and its nondeterministic and database-management features make it very suitable for AI and expert system applications. However, Prolog is time-consuming and very inefficient when run on sequential general-purpose machines. Abe et al.* note that Prolog’s performance drops to one tenth of the performance of procedural languages (such as C and Pascal) when executed by a generalpurpose computer. This fact basically explains why expert systems and other AI-application programs implemented in Prolog run very slowly on traditional general-purpose computers. Researchers traced the sources of Prolog’s inefficiency and slow execution on these machines to two algorithms: unification and backtracking. These algorithms serve as the basis for Prolog and other logic programming interpreters. We define the unification operation later. Backtracking is the operation conducted by Prolog interpreters as soon as they fail to go forward in solving the current goal. In the process of backtracking, the interpreter moves up the computation tree to explore different paths that may lead to a solution of the current goal. The execution times of these two algorithms must improve to speed up the runtime of logic programs. In addition to being frequently used in logic programming, unification has applications in databases, proving theorems, expert and knowledgebased systems, and natural language and image processing. The unification operation attempts to make two terms equivalent and often generates conditions for this equivalence to hold. These conditions appear in the alternate forms of variable substitutions or variable bindings. For instance, the unification of the two terms, f(X, a) and f(b, a), in which
Constructing Dynamic Event Trees from Markov Models

In the probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) of process plants, Markov models can be used to model accurately the complex dynamic interactions between plant physical process variables (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.) and the instrumentation and control system that monitors and manages the process. One limitation of this approach that has prevented its use in nuclear power plant PRAs is the difficulty of integrating the results of a Markov analysis into an existing PRA. In this paper, we explore a new approach to the generation of failure scenarios and their compilation into dynamic event trees from a Markov model of the system. These event trees can be integrated into an existing PRA using software tools such as SAPHIRE. To implement our approach, we first construct a discrete-time Markov chain modeling the system of interest by: a) partitioning the process variable state space into magnitude intervals (cells), b) using analytical equations or a system simulator to determine the transition probabilities between the cells through the cell-to-cell mapping technique, and, c) using given failure/repair data for all the components of interest. The Markov transition matrix thus generated can be thought of as a process model describing the stochastic dynamic behavior of the finite-state system.more » We can therefore search the state space starting from a set of initial states to explore all possible paths to failure (scenarios) with associated probabilities. We can also construct event trees of arbitrary depth by tracing paths from a chosen initiating event and recording the following events while keeping track of the probabilities associated with each branch in the tree. As an example of our approach, we use the simple level control system often used as benchmark in the literature with one process variable (liquid level in a tank), and three control units: a drain unit and two supply units. Each unit includes a separate level sensor to observe the liquid level in the tank and can be in one of three states: operational, failed on, and failed off. We present the results of our analysis of this system. « less
Distribution of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Condylomata Acuminata: An Austrian Cohort Study

Introduction: Condylomata acuminata are caused by various genotypes of human papilloma viruses (HPV). Methods: We assessed the frequency of 33 different HPV DNA types in 49 patients with condylomata acuminata by the polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: Forty-two percent of the patients were infected with low-risk genotypes, and 21% of the patients tested positive for high-risk genotypes. Multiple infections with low- and high-risk genotypes were detectable in 36% of the patients. Conclusion: As our results are in line with previous large-scale reports, our data might serve as a basis for monitoring the efficacy of HPV vaccination in Austria.
Three-dimensional radiologic-pathologic correlation of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw using 3d bone SPECT/CT imaging.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess a three-dimensional (3D) correlation between preoperative 3D bone SPECT/CT, which allows the visualization of radiotracer uptake on 3D volume-rendered CT images, and histopathological characteristics in the medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). METHODS We conducted a full histopathological assessment of the resected jaws in four patients with Stage two or 3 MRONJ. The pathologic results were classified as follows: necrosis without any tissue vascularity (N + V-), necrosis with both vascularity and acute inflammatory cell infiltration due to bacterial infection (N + V+I+), necrosis with regenerative vasculature but no inflammatory cell infiltration (N + V+I-), and chronic inflammation without massive necrosis (N-V +I+). These classifications were correlated with imaging results. RESULTS The N + V- areas visually represented the area of necrotic bone exposed to the oral cavity and were consistent with defect area of radioisotope uptake in SPECT/CT. The N + V- areas were surrounded by the N + V+I + areas where increased radiotracer uptake was clearly seen. Also, abnormal uptake was found in both of the N + V+I- and N-V +I+ areas. The extensive surgical resections from necrotic core to bloody viable margins were performed in all cases, although one had the recurrence of MRONJ at the margin showing abnormal uptake that histologically represented the N + V+I- area. CONCLUSIONS Radiologic-pathologic correlation of MRONJ could be achieved using 3D SPECT/CT. The presence of regenerative vascularity with necrosis or inflammation seemed to determine bone metabolism in MRONJ. The recurrence of MRONJ was observed in one case, and 3D SPECT/CT had preoperatively depicted the recurrence site.
Effects of Ionic Liquid Alkyl Chain Length on Denaturation of Myoglobin by Anionic, Cationic, and Zwitterionic Detergents

The unique electrochemical properties of ionic liquids (ILs) have motivated their use as solvents for organic synthesis and green energy applications. More recently, their potential in pharmaceutical chemistry has prompted investigation into their effects on biomolecules. There is evidence that some ILs can destabilize proteins via a detergent-like manner; however, the mechanism still remains unknown. Our hypothesis is that if ILs are denaturing proteins via a detergent-like mechanism, detergent-mediated protein unfolding should be enhanced in the presence of ILs. The properties of myoglobin was examined in the presence of a zwitterionic (N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecylglycine betaine (Empigen BB®, EBB)), cationic (tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB)), and anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)) detergent as well as ILs based on alkylated imidazolium chlorides. Protein structure was measured through a combination of absorbance, fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy: absorbance and CD were used to monitor heme complexation to myoglobin, and tryptophan fluorescence quenching was used as an indicator for heme dissociation. Notably, the detergents tested did not fully denature the protein but instead resulted in loss of the heme group. At low IL concentrations, heme dissociation remained a traditional, cooperative process; at high concentrations, ILs with increased detergent-like character exhibited a more complex pattern, which is most likely attributable to micellization of the ionic liquids or direct denaturation or heme dissociation induced by the ILs. These trends were consistent across all species of detergents. 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) fluorescence was further used to characterize micelle formation in aqueous solutions containing detergent and ionic liquid. The dissociation thermodynamics show that EBB- and TTAB-induced dissociation of heme is not significantly impacted by room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), whereas SDS-induced dissociation is more dramatically impacted by all RTILs examined. Together, these results indicate a complex interaction of detergents, likely based on headgroup charge, and the active component of RTILs to influence heme dissociation and potentially protein denaturation.
Formative mixed-method multicase study research to inform the development of a safer sex and healthy relationships intervention in further education (FE) settings: the SaFE Project

Objectives Sexual health includes pleasurable, safe, sexual experiences free from coercion, discrimination and violence. In the UK, many young people’s experiences fall short of this definition. This study aimed to inform the development of a safer sex and healthy relationships intervention for those aged 16–19 years studying in further education (FE) settings. Design A formative mixed-method multicase study explored if and how to implement four components within a single intervention. Setting Six FE settings in England and Wales and one sexual health charity participated between October and July 2015. Participants Focus groups with 134 FE students and 44 FE staff, and interviews with 11 FE managers and 12 sexual health charity staff, first explored whether four candidate intervention components were acceptable and could have sustained implementation. An e-survey with 2105 students and 163 staff then examined potential uptake and acceptability of components shortlisted in the first stage. Stakeholder consultation was then used to refine the intervention. Intervention Informed by a review of evidence of effective interventions delivered in other settings, four candidate intervention components were identified which could promote safer sex and healthy relationships among those aged 16–19 years: 1) student-led sexual health action groups; 2) on-site sexual health and relationships services; 3) staff safeguarding training about sexual health and relationships and 4) sex and relationships education. Results On-site sexual health and relationships services and staff safeguarding training about sexual health and relationships were key gaps in current FE provision and welcomed by staff, students and health professionals. Sex and relationships education and student-led sexual health action groups were not considered acceptable. Conclusions The SaFE intervention, comprising on-site sexual health and relationships services and staff safeguarding training in FE settings, may have potential promoting sexual health among FE students. Further optimisation and refinement with key stakeholders is required before piloting via cluster randomised controlled trial.
Effect of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block-poly(oligo (ethylene glycol) methacrylate) amphiphilic block copolymers on dermal fibroblast viability and proliferation

Abstract In this work, well-defined poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly(oligo (ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (PDMS-b-POEGMA) amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized and their effect on human dermal fibroblast were investigated. Anionic ring opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were used to synthesis the block copolymers. The molecular weight of synthesized copolymers ranged from 1000 to 2300 Da by changing the number of both PDMS and POEGMA units. It was found that the copolymer having low molecular weight decreased the fibroblast viability and proliferation by inducing apoptosis. It was proved by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay that human dermal fibroblast experienced apoptosis after exposure to synthesized amphiphilic copolymers. The results of this work suggest the use of PDMS-b-POEGMA amphiphilic copolymers with low molecular weight for hypertrophic scars remediation.
Automated Sleep Stage Scoring of the Sleep Heart Health Study Using Deep Neural Networks.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Polysomnography (PSG) scoring is labor intensive and suffers from variability in inter- and intra-rater reliability. Automated PSG scoring has the potential to reduce the human labor costs and the variability inherent to this task. Deep learning is a form of machine learning that uses neural networks to recognize data patterns by inspecting many examples rather than by following explicit programming. METHODS A sleep staging classifier trained using deep learning methods scored PSG data from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS). The training set was composed of 42,560 hours of PSG data from 5,213 patients. To capture higher-order data, spectrograms were generated from electroencephalography, electrooculography, and electromyography data and then passed to the neural network. A hold-out set of 580 PSGs not included in the training set was used to assess model accuracy and discrimination via weighted F1-score, per-stage accuracy, and Cohen's Kappa (K). RESULTS The optimal neural network model was composed of spectrograms in the input layer feeding into CNN layers and an LSTM layer to achieve a weighted F1-score of 0.87 and K = 0.82. CONCLUSIONS The deep learning sleep stage classifier demonstrates excellent accuracy and agreement with expert sleep stage scoring, outperforming human agreement on sleep staging. It achieves comparable or better F1-scores, accuracy, and Cohen's Kappa compared to literature for automated sleep stage scoring of PSG epochs. Accurate automated scoring of other PSG events may eventually allow for fully automated PSG scoring.
Task-induced functional brain connectivity mediates the relationship between striatal D2/3 receptors and working memory

Working memory performance is thought to depend on both striatal dopamine 2/3 receptors (D2/3Rs) and task-induced functional organisation in key cortical brain networks. Here, we combine functional magnetic resonance imaging and D2/3R positron emission tomography in 51 healthy volunteers, to investigate the relationship between working memory performance, task-induced default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity changes, and striatal D2/3R availability. Increasing working memory load was associated with reduced DMN functional connectivity, which was itself associated with poorer task performance. Crucially, the magnitude of the DMN connectivity reduction correlated with striatal D2/3R availability, particularly in the caudate, and this relationship mediated the relationship between striatal D2/3R availability and task performance. These results inform our understanding of natural variation in working memory performance, and have implications for understanding age-related cognitive decline and cognitive impairments in neuropsychiatric disorders where dopamine signalling is altered.
Evaluation of the Inhibitory Potential of Casuarictin, an Ellagitannin Isolated from White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) Leaves, on Snake Venom Secretory Phospholipase A2

Ellagitannins constitute the largest group of hydrolyzable tannins of plants, and, from this group, casuarictin (Casu) was identified in some plant species. However, to our knowledge, no investigation of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) inhibition by Casu has been performed yet. Casuarictin was isolated by chromatography n-butanol (n-BuOH) partition of Laguncularia racemosa leaves. The pharmacological and biological effects of Casu were evaluated on isolated sPLA2 from the rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) and using a plant bacterial strain. The compound was able to form a protein complex consisting of a stable sPLA2 + Casu complex. Analyses carried out with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) revealed that the molecular mass of sPLA2 increased from 14,425.62 to 15,362.74 Da. The enzymatic activity of the sPLA2 + Casu complex was significantly lower than that of native sPLA2. Besides, molecular interactions of Casu with sPLA2 were able to virtually abolish the native edematogenic effect as well as myonecrosis induced by the protein when injected 10 min after sPLA2. Therefore, Casu may be considered a potential anti-inflammatory that can be used to treat edema and myonecrosis induced by serine-secreting phospholipase A2. In addition, the compound also showed great antimicrobial potential.
Morphological integration affects the evolution of midline cranial base, lateral basicranium, and face across primates.

OBJECTIVES The basicranium and face are two integrated bony structures displaying great morphological diversity across primates. Previous studies in hominids determined that the basicranium is composed of two independent modules: the midline basicranium, mostly influenced by brain size, and the lateral basicranium, predominantly associated with facial shape. To better assess how morphological integration impacts the evolution of primate cranial shape diversity, we test to determine whether the relationships found in hominids are retained across the order. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three-dimensional landmarks (29) were placed on 143 computed tomography scans of six major clades of extant primate crania. We assessed the covariation between midline basicranium, lateral basicranium, face, and endocranial volume using phylogenetically informed partial least squares analyses and phylogenetic generalized least squares models. RESULTS We found significant integration between lateral basicranium and face and between midline basicranium and face. We also described a significant correlation between midline basicranium and endocranial volume but not between lateral basicranium and endocranial volume. DISCUSSION Our findings demonstrate a significant and pervasive integration in the craniofacial structures across primates, differing from previous results in hominids. The uniqueness of module organization in hominids may explain this distinction. We found that endocranial volume is significantly integrated to the midline basicranium but not to the lateral basicranium. This finding underlines the significant effect of brain size on the shape of the midline structures of the cranial base in primates. With the covariations linking the studied features defined here, we suggest that future studies should focus on determining the causal links between them.
Multiply Interpenetrating Polymer Networks: Preparation, Mechanical Properties, and Applications

This review summarizes work done on triply, or higher, interpenetrating polymer network materials prepared in order to widen the properties of double polymer network hydrogels (DN), doubly interpenetrating polymer networks with enhanced mechanical properties. The review will show that introduction of a third, or fourth, polymeric component in the DNs would further enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting materials, but may also introduce other useful functionalities, including electrical conductivity, low-friction coefficients, and (bio)degradability.
Predictors of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Improvement after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Patients with PVC-Induced Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review

Background Frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC) can result in PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (PVC-iCMP), leading to reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) that can be improved by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). We performed a systematic review to determine the variables predicting LVEF improvement after RFCA in PVC-iCMP. Methods We developed a “population, intervention, outcome and predictive factors” framework and searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Cochrane Collaboration and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) for full-text, peer-reviewed publications. These publications addressing predictive factors of LVEF improvement showed ≥5% improvement only if deemed significant by the respective study, ≥10% or ≥ 50% after RFCA ablation in patients with PVC-iCMP with no type/date/language limitation until the end of 2017. Results Our initial search yielded 2226 titles, 1519 of which remained after removing the duplicates. Finally, 11 articles - 2 cohorts, 7 quasi-experimental studies, 1 case-control and 1 meta-analysis- were included. Sustained successful ablation, higher baseline PVC burden, LVEF, QRS duration, post-PVC systolic blood pressure rise and post-PVC pulse pressure change, the absence of an underlying cardiomyopathy, younger age, and variability of the frequency of PVCs during the day and lower left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) have been suggested as predictive factors for LVEF improvement in patients with PVC-iCMP. Conclusion The mentioned factors may all be useful to identify PVC-iCMP patients who would benefit from RFCA, although the evidence is not yet strong enough.