Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Approaching optimality for solving SDD systems

We present an algorithm that on input of an $n$-vertex $m$-edge weighted graph $G$ and a value $k$, produces an {\em incremental sparsifier} $\hat{G}$ with $n-1 + m/k$ edges, such that the condition number of $G$ with $\hat{G}$ is bounded above by $\tilde{O}(k\log^2 n)$, with probability $1-p$. The algorithm runs in time $$\tilde{O}((m \log{n} + n\log^2{n})\log(1/p)). $$ As a result, we obtain an algorithm that on input of an $n\times n$ symmetric diagonally dominant matrix $A$ with $m$ non-zero entries and a vector $b$, computes a vector ${x}$ satisfying $||{x}-A^{+}b||_A<\epsilon ||A^{+}b||_A $, in expected time $$\tilde{O}(m\log^2{n}\log(1/\epsilon)). $$ The solver is based on repeated applications of the incremental sparsifier that produces a chain of graphs which is then used as input to a recursive preconditioned Chebyshev iteration.
The association of antihypertensives with postural blood pressure and falls among seniors residing in the community: a case–control study

A drop in postural blood pressure (BP) may contribute to falls, while antihypertensives have been considered to induce postural drop or orthostatic hypotension (OH) and falls among older people. However, this relationship between antihypertensives, postural BP and the risk of falls has never been evaluated in a single study.
Effect of tele health care on exacerbations and hospital admissions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial

Background and objective Tele monitoring (TM) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has gained much interest, but studies have produced conflicting results. Our aim was to investigate the effect of TM with the option of video consultations on exacerbations and hospital admissions in patients with severe COPD. Materials and methods Patients with severe COPD at high risk of exacerbations were eligible for the study. Of 560 eligible patients identified, 279 (50%) declined to participate. The remaining patients were equally randomized to either TM (n=141) or usual care (n=140) for the 6-month study period. TM comprised recording of symptoms, saturation, spirometry, and weekly video consultations. Algorithms generated alerts if readings breached thresholds. Both groups received standard care. The primary outcome was number of hospital admissions for exacerbation of COPD during the study period. Results Most of the enrolled patients had severe COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second <50%pred in 86% and ≥hospital admission for COPD in the year prior to enrollment in 45%, respectively, of the patients). No difference in drop-out rate and mortality was found between the groups. With regard to the primary outcome, no significant difference was found in hospital admissions for COPD between the groups (P=0.74), and likewise, no difference was found in time to first admission or all-cause hospital admissions. Compared with the control group, TM group patients had more moderate exacerbations (ie, treated with antibiotics/corticosteroid, but not requiring hospital admission; P<0.001), whereas the control group had more visits to outpatient clinics (P<0.001). Conclusion Our study of patients with severe COPD showed that TM including video consultations as add-on to standard care did not reduce hospital admissions for exacerbated COPD, but TM may be an alternative to visits at respiratory outpatient clinics. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal role of TM in the management of severe COPD.
Series elastic actuator control of a powered exoskeleton

A motorized upper extremity orthosis based on the passive WREX system is being developed. The orthosis is a 4 dof arm controlled by user residual force inputs. The arm is intended for people with neuromuscular weakness due to muscular dystrophy or spinal muscular atrophy. Previous work determined that actuation in parallel with gravity balancing springs required less torque than actuation in series. Compliance is achieved by using a series elastic actuator (SEA) by placing torsional springs between the motors and the WREX. A torque control was implemented on the SEA at the joint level. The response of the control law was characterized without disturbances. The SEAs were then attached to the orthosis to test the response with disturbances, and the control provided accurate joint torques.
Eight novel MSH6 germline mutations in patients with familial and nonfamilial colorectal cancer selected by loss of protein expression in tumor tissue

Germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes, predominantly in MLH1 and MSH2, are responsible for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), a cancer‐susceptibility syndrome with high penetrance. In addition, MSH6 mutations have been reported to account for about 10% of all germline mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutations in HNPCC patients, and have been associated with a later age of onset of the disease compared to MLH1 and MSH2 mutations. Here, we report eight novel germline mutations in MSH6. The patients were selected by having developed tumors with loss of MSH6 protein expression. All tumors showed high‐level microsatellite instability (MSI‐H). Seven mutations resulted in premature stop codons, comprised of two nonsense mutations (c.426G>A [p.W142X], c.2105C>A [p.S702X]), two insertions (c.2611_2614dupATTA [p.I872fsX10], c.3324dupT [p.I1109fsX3]) and three deletions (c.1190_1191delAT [p.Y397fsX3], c.1632_1635delAAAA [p.E544fsX26], c.3513_3514delTA [p.1171fsX5]). In addition, an amino acid substitution of an arginine residue (c.2314C>T [p.R772W]) conserved throughout a wide variety of mutS homologs has been found in a patient not fulfilling the Bethesda criteria for HNPCC. Our results emphasize the suitability of IHC as a pre‐selection tool for MSH6 mutation analysis and the high frequency of germline mutation detection in patients with MSH6‐deficient tumors. In addition, our findings point towards a broad variability regarding penetrance associated with MSH6 germline mutations. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interleukin-4 protects matrix synthesis in chondrocytes under excessive mechanical stress in vitro

We examined the effect of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on matrix synthesis in chondrocytes under excessive mechanical stress in vitro. Chondrocytes from 7-day-old rat articular cartilage were incubated in the presence of rat IL-4 (0, 1, and 10 ng/ml) under a 5% CO2 atmosphere for 36 h. Cyclic mechanical stress (0.5 Hz, 7% elongation) was loaded using a Flexercell strain unit for 12, 16, and 24 h. Levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) for aggrecan (AGG), type II collagen (CII), fibronectin (FN), and integrin-β1 (INTb1) were measured by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using GAPDH as the internal control. Mechanical stress for 16 h significantly decreased levels of mRNA for both AGG and CII (P < 0.01), but with rat IL-4 at doses of 1 or 10 ng/ml these levels recovered (P < 0.05). In addition, mRNA levels of FN and INTb1 were increased by IL-4 in chondrocytes under mechanical stress (P < 0.05). IL-4 protects chondrocytes loaded with excessive mechanical stress against degradation
Health and economic outcomes for exenatide once weekly, insulin, and pioglitazone therapies in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a simulation analysis

Background Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at risk of long-term vascular complications. In trials, exenatide once weekly (ExQW), a GLP-1R agonist, improved glycemia, weight, blood pressure (BP), and lipids in patients with T2DM. We simulated potential effects of ExQW on vascular complications, survival, and medical costs over 20 years versus standard therapies. Patients and methods The Archimedes model was used to assess outcomes for ~25,000 virtual patients with T2DM (NHANES 1999–2006 [metformin ± sulfonylureas, age 57 years, body mass index 33 kg/m2, weight 94 kg, duration T2DM 9 years, hemoglobin A1c [A1C] 8.1%]). The effects of three treatment strategies were modeled and compared to moderate-adherence insulin therapy: advancement to high-adherence insulin at A1C ≥ 8% (treat to target A1C < 7%) and addition of pioglitazone (PIO) or ExQW from simulation start. ExQW effects on A1C, weight, BP, and lipids were modeled from clinical trial data. Costs, inflated to represent 2010 $US, were derived from Medicare data, Drugstore.com, and publications. As ExQW was investigational, we omitted ExQW, PIO, and insulin pharmacy costs. Results By year 1, ExQW treatment decreased A1C (~1.5%), weight (~2 kg), and systolic BP (~5 mmHg). PIO and high-adherence insulin decreased A1C by ~1%, increased weight, and did not affect systolic BP. After 20 years, A1C was ~7% with all strategies. ExQW decreased rates of cardiovascular and microvascular complications more than PIO or high-adherence insulin versus moderate-adherence insulin. Over 20 years, ExQW treatment resulted in increased quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of ~0.3 years/person and cost savings of $469/life-year versus moderate adherence insulin. For PIO or high-adherence insulin, QALYs were virtually unchanged, and costs/life-year versus moderate-adherence insulin increased by $69 and $87, respectively. Conclusions This long-term simulation demonstrated that ExQW treatment may decrease rates of cardiovascular and some microvascular complications of T2DM. Increased QALYs, and decreased costs were also projected.
South Australian Heat Flow Anomaly: source and implications for geothermal energy

The South Australian Heat Flow Anomaly is a broad region (>400 km wide) in Proterozoic South Australia defined by drill holes with anomalously high heat flow estimates yielding a mean of 92 +/10 mW m−2, compared to a global Proterozoic mean of 49-54 mW m−2. This study will conclusively determine the primary source of this anomalous heat flow. Thermal conductivities of 145 drill core samples have been measured using an optical thermal conductivity scanner. These were utilised with thermal conductivity and temperature profiles provided by Petratherm and the Department of State Development to make five new heat flow estimates in the Curnamona and Mount Painter provinces using the product and thermal resistance methods. Measured surface heat flows fall between 84.352 and 128.051 mW m−2. Significant lateral variations in surface heat flow support previous work suggesting shallow crustal radiogenic heat generation, primarily in Mesoproterozoic high heat producing granites. Analysis of existing deep seismic data has revealed a significantly cooler and thicker lithosphere in the Proterozoic South Australia compared with regions dominated by mantle heat flow such as southeastern Australia. Geotherms have been computed for steady-state regimes to demonstrate that the surface heat flow evident in the South Australian Heat Flow Anomaly is consistent with elevated upper crustal source. Thick, thermally insulating sedimentary cover in the Curnamona and Mount Painter provinces and high temperatures at shallow depths are encouraging for geothermal energy exploration, and geothermal prospectivity for these provinces was examined. Lateral thermal conductivity variations of stratigraphies in the Curnamona Province have been assessed, revealing that more data must be collected to use thermal conductivity from neighbouring boreholes as a proxy for heat flow estimates.
ICT adoption in Italian manufacturing: firm-level evidence

We study the information and communication technologies (ICT) adoption choices of Italian manufacturing firms, investigating the factors, both at the firm and at the environmental level, that speed up or slow down the adoption. We use a survey of 1500 manufacturing firms interviewed in 2001 to monitor ICT investments in Italy. Indicators of the local industrial structure are derived from the National Institute for Social Security database, which covers the whole population of Italian firms. We relate ICT adoption to two sets of variables. First, we consider firm-specific variables, such as size, human capital, the composition of the workforce and organizational indicators that the literature on technology adoption cites as potential factors in determining the optimal rate of investment in ICT. Second, given the network aspect of many ICT, particularly internet-based applications, we investigate whether the local industrial structure affects adoption patterns even after controlling for individual characteristics. Our results indicate that the most important determinants are size, the human capital of the workforce and the presence of large firms in the local environment. ICT adoption also tends to be associated with changes in a firm's organizational structure. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
Neuropsychological correlates of complicated grief in older spousally bereaved adults.

OBJECTIVES Across many research domains, evidence for complicated grief as a distinct psychopathology continues to grow. Previous research from neuropsychology has shown an increased attentional bias to emotionally relevant stimuli in those suffering from complicated grief. This study furthers our understanding of the characteristics that distinguish complicated grief. We expand on previous research by (a) testing older adults, (b) excluding those with comorbid major depressive disorder, (c) using participant-chosen grief-related stimuli, and (d) using a married, nonbereaved control group. METHODS We recruited 76 older adults in 3 groups: spousally bereaved with complicated grief, spousally bereaved with noncomplicated grief, and nonbereaved controls. Performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, Digit Span Backwards, and the emotional counting Stroop was examined. RESULTS Results indicate longer reaction time across 3 blocks of grief-related words in the complicated grief group but no difference across 3 blocks of the neutral words. The 3 groups performed comparably on the other neurocognitive tasks, indicating no cognitive differences in working memory or set shifting between groups. Furthermore, these effects of complicated grief generalize to older adults and appear independent of major depression. DISCUSSION Complicated grief has cognitive interference as a neuropsychological component highlighting it as distinct from noncomplicated grief.
Is runtime verification applicable to cheat detection?

We investigate the prospect of applying runtime verification to cheat detection. Game implementation bugs are extensively exploited by cheaters, especially in massively multiplayer games. As games are implemented on larger scales and game object interactions become more complex, it becomes increasingly difficult to guarantee that high-level game rules are enforced correctly in the implementation. We observe that although implementing high-level rules in code is complex because of interference between rules, checking for rule compliance at runtime is simple because only a single rule is involved in each check. We demonstrate our idea by applying the Java-MaC runtime verification system to a simple game to detect a transaction bug that is common in massively multiplayer games.
A proposed decision rule for speaker recognition based on fuzzy c-means clustering

In vector quantisation (VQ) based speaker recognition, the minimum overall average distortion rule is used as a criterion to assign a given sequence of acoustic vectors to a speaker model known as a codebook. An alternative decision rule based on fuzzy c-means clustering is proposed in this paper. A set of membership functions associated with vectors for codebooks are defined as discriminant functions and the maximum overall average membership function rule is stated. The theoretical analysis and the experimental results show that this rule can be used in both speaker identification and speaker verification. It is more effective than the minimum overall average distortion rule.
Automatic ObjectPascal Code Generation from Catalysis Specifications

This paper presents a Component -based Framework Development Process, of the Cardiology Domain. The Framework, called FrameCardio, was developed in 4 steps: 1 Problem Domain Definition, 2-Components Specifications, 3-Components Internal Design and 4 -Components Implementation. In the first step the framework requirements were identified, based on experiences in the development of a cardiology system with 320 classes. The main models specified in this step are the Use Cases, Actions and Collaborations Models. In the Component Specification step component external behaviors were defined with their responsibilities, operations and interfaces. The main models are the Types Model, that describes an object external behavior, regardless of implementation decisions, and the Component Interactions that details the behavior of each case used in the Sequence Diagrams. Right after, in the third step, the Specified Components are refined, considering the implementation technologies. Among the models of this step, the components Classes Diagram, Components and the Component Packages stand out. The modeling was supported by a CASE tool. Finally, in the Components Implementation step the components code was generated in the ObjectPascal language, using a Transformation System. FrameCardio was structured in layers and organized in components packages, available in the CASE tool, to be reused by the applications. In the same way as in the development of FrameCardio, the Transformation System is used to generate the ObjectPascal code of the applications. A Cardiology domain Application is presented to show Framework components reuse.
Trp1, a Candidate Protein for the Store-operated Ca2+Influx Mechanism in Salivary Gland Cells*

The trp gene family has been proposed to encode the store-operated Ca2+ influx (SOC) channel(s). This study examines the role of Trp1 in the SOC mechanism of salivary gland cells. htrp1, htrp3, and Trp1 were detected in the human submandibular gland cell line (HSG). HSG cells stably transfected with htrp1α cDNA displayed (i) a higher level of Trp1, (ii) a 3–5-fold increase in SOC (thapsigargin-stimulated Ca2+ influx), determined by [Ca2+] i and Ca2+-activated K+ channel current measurements, and (iii) similar basal Ca2+ permeability, and inhibition of SOC by Gd3+ but not by Zn2+, as compared with control cells. Importantly, (i) transfection of HSG cells with antisensetrp1α cDNA decreased endogenous Trp1 level and significantly attenuated SOC, and (ii) transfection of HSG cells withhtrp3 cDNA did not increase SOC. These data demonstrate an association between Trp1 and SOC and strongly suggest that Trp1 is involved in this mechanism in HSG cells. Consistent with this suggestion, Trp1 was detected in the plasma membrane region, the proposed site of SOC, of acinar and ductal cells in intact rat submandibular glands. Based on these aggregate data, we propose Trp1 as a candidate protein for the SOC mechanism in salivary gland cells.
Finding, minimizing, and counting weighted subgraphs

For a pattern graph H on k nodes, we consider the problems of finding and counting the number of (not necessarily induced) copies of H in a given large graph G on n nodes, as well as finding minimum weight copies in both node-weighted and edge-weighted graphs. Our results include: The number of copies of an H with an independent set of size s can be computed exactly in O*(2s nk-s+3) time. A minimum weight copy of such an H (with arbitrary real weights on nodes and edges) can be found in O(4s+o(s) nk-s+3) time. (The O* notation omits (k) factors. ) These algorithms rely on fast algorithms for computing the permanent of a k x n matrix, over rings and semirings. The number of copies of any H having minimum (or maximum) node-weight (with arbitrary real weights on nodes) can be found in O(nω k/3 + n2k/3+o(1)) time, where ω < 2.4 is the matrix multiplication exponent and k is divisible by 3. Similar results hold for other values of k. Also, the number of copies having exactly a prescribed weight can be found within this time. These algorithms extend the technique of Czumaj and Lingas (SODA 2007) and give a new (algorithmic) application of multiparty communication complexity. Finding an edge-weighted triangle of weight exactly 0 in general graphs requires Ω(n2.5-ε) time for all ε > 0, unless the 3SUM problem on N numbers can be solved in O(N2 - ε) time. This suggests that the edge-weighted problem is much harder than its node-weighted version.
Numerical Analysis and Characterization of THz Propagation Channel for Body-Centric Nano-Communications

This paper presents the characteristics of electromagnetic waves propagating inside human body at Terahertz frequencies and an initial study of the system performance of nano-network. It has been observed that the path loss is not only the function of distance and frequency but also related to the dielectric loss of human tissues. Numerical results have been compared with analytical studies and a good match has been found which validates the proposed numerical model. Based on the calculation of path losses and noise level for THz wave propagation, the channel capacity is studied to give an insight of future nano-communications within the human body. Results show that at the distance of millimeters, the capacity can reach as high as 100 Terabits per second (Tbps) depending on the environment and exciting pulse types.
Analysis of extraembryonic mesodermal structure formation in the absence of morphological primitive streak

During mouse gastrulation, the primitive streak is formed on the posterior side of the embryo. Cells migrate out of the primitive streak to form the future mesoderm and endoderm. Fate mapping studies revealed a group of cell migrate through the proximal end of the primitive streak and give rise to the extraembryonic mesoderm tissues such as the yolk sac blood islands and allantois. However, it is not clear whether the formation of a morphological primitive streak is required for the development of these extraembryonic mesodermal tissues. Loss of the Cripto gene in mice dramatically reduces, but does not completely abolish, Nodal activity leading to the absence of a morphological primitive streak. However, embryonic erythrocytes are still formed and assembled into the blood islands. In addition, Cripto mutant embryos form allantoic buds. However, Drap1 mutant embryos have excessive Nodal activity in the epiblast cells before gastrulation and form an expanded primitive streak, but no yolk sac blood islands or allantoic bud formation. Lefty2 embryos also have elevated levels of Nodal activity in the primitive streak during gastrulation, and undergo normal blood island and allantois formation. We therefore speculate that low level of Nodal activity disrupts the formation of morphological primitive streak on the posterior side, but still allows the formation of primitive streak cells on the proximal side, which give rise to the extraembryonic mesodermal tissues formation. Excessive Nodal activity in the epiblast at pre‐gastrulation stage, but not in the primitive streak cells during gastrulation, disrupts extraembryonic mesoderm development.
Error concealment for SNR scalable video coding in wireless communication

A mandatory requirement for future wireless multimedia communication is the availability of error resilient media codecs. This work discusses error detection and concealment techniques for a layered scalable video decoder, based on the SNR scalability option of the H.263 standard. A concealment method is proposed which uses error frequency and error location statistics for efficient hiding of transmission errors. The designed decoder allows error robust decoding with acceptable image quality even for highly corrupted video sequences up to bit error rates of 10-3, optimizing the image quality specifically for two-layer coded sequences. Simulation results show that scalable video coding outperforms single-layer coding under typical wireless conditions even if no priority or increased protection is applied to the base layer. The proposed two- layer concealment method yields a consistent improvement of up to 5 dB in image quality.