Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Redundant Bases and Shrinkage Functions in Image Denoising

Wavelet denoising is a classical and effective approach for reducing noise in images and signals. Suggested in 1994, this approach is carried out by rectifying the coefficients of a noisy image, in the transform domain, using a set of shrinkage functions (SFs). A plethora of papers deals with the optimal shape of the SFs and the transform used. For example, it is widely known that applying SFs in a redundant basis improves the results. However, it is barely known that the shape of the SFs should be changed when the transform used is redundant. In this paper, we introduce a complete picture of the interrelations between the transform used, the optimal shrinkage functions, and the domains in which they are optimized. We suggest three schemes for optimizing the SFs and provide bounds of the remaining noise, in each scheme, with respect to the other alternatives. In particular, we show that for subband optimization, where each SF is optimized independently for a particular band, optimizing the SFs in the spatial domain is always better than or equal to optimizing the SFs in the transform domain. Furthermore, for redundant bases, we provide the expected denoising gain that can be achieved, relative to the unitary basis, as a function of the redundancy rate.
Exact stability for Turán’s Theorem

Turán's Theorem says that an extremal Kr+1-free graph is r-partite. The Stability Theorem of Erdős and Simonovits shows that if a Kr+1-free graph with n vertices has close to the maximal tr(n) edges, then it is close to being r-partite. In this paper we determine exactly the Kr+1-free graphs with at least m edges that are farthest from being r-partite, for any m≥tr(n)−δrn2. This extends work by Erdős, Győri and Simonovits, and proves a conjecture of Balogh, Clemen, Lavrov, Lidický and Pfender.
X-ray absorption and 9.7 μm silicate feature as a probe of AGN torus structure

The dusty torus plays a vital role in unifying active galactic nuclei (AGNs). However, the physical structure of the torus remains largely unclear. Here we present a systematical investigation of the torus mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopic feature, i.e., the 9. 7μm silicate line, of 175 AGNs selected from the Swift/BAT Spectroscopic Survey (BASS). Our sample is constructed to ensure that each of the 175 AGNs has Spizter/IRS MIR, optical, and X-ray spectroscopic coverage. Therefore, we can simultaneously measure the silicate strength, optical emission lines, and X-ray properties (e.g., the column density and the intrinsic X-ray luminosity). We show that, consistent with previous works, the silicate strength is weakly correlated with the hydrogen column density (NHX), albeit with large scatters. For X-ray unobscured AGNs, the silicate-strength-derived V-band extinction and the broad-Hα-inferred one are both small; however, for X-ray obscured AGNs, the former is much larger than the latter. In addition, we find that the optical type 1 AGNs with strong X-ray absorption on average show significant silicate absorption, indicating that their X-ray absorption might not be caused by dust-free gas in the broad-line region. Our results suggest that the distribution and structure of the obscuring dusty torus are likely to be very complex. We test our results against the smooth and clumpy torus models and find evidence in favor of the clumpy torus model.
Intrinsic Properties of the Engine and Jet that Powered the Short Gamma-Ray Burst Associated with GW170817

GRB 170817A was a subluminous short gamma-ray burst detected about 1.74 s after the gravitational wave signal GW170817 from a binary neutron star (BNS) merger. It is now understood as an off-axis event powered by the cocoon of a relativistic jet pointing 15°–30° away from the direction of observation. The cocoon was energized by the interaction of the incipient jet with the non-relativistic baryon wind from the merger remnant, resulting in a structured outflow with a narrow core and broad wings. In this paper, we couple the observational constraints on the structured outflow with a model for the jet–wind interaction to constrain the intrinsic properties with which the jet was launched by the central engine, including its time delay from the merger event. Using wind prescriptions inspired by magnetized BNS merger simulations, we find that the jet was launched within about 0.4 s from the merger, implying that the 1.74 s observed delay was dominated by the fireball propagation up to the photospheric radius. We also constrain, for the first time for any gamma-ray burst, the jet opening angle at injection and set a lower limit to its asymptotic Lorentz factor. These findings suggest an initially Poynting-flux dominated jet, launched via electromagnetic processes. If the jet was powered by an accreting black hole, they also provide a significant constraint on the survival time of the metastable neutron star remnant.
Probabilistic Safety for Bayesian Neural Networks

We study probabilistic safety for Bayesian Neural Networks (BNNs) under adversarial input perturbations. Given a compact set of input points, $T \subseteq \mathbb{R}^m$, we study the probability w.r. t. the BNN posterior that all the points in $T$ are mapped to the same region $S$ in the output space. In particular, this can be used to evaluate the probability that a network sampled from the BNN is vulnerable to adversarial attacks. We rely on relaxation techniques from non-convex optimization to develop a method for computing a lower bound on probabilistic safety for BNNs, deriving explicit procedures for the case of interval and linear function propagation techniques. We apply our methods to BNNs trained on a regression task, airborne collision avoidance, and MNIST, empirically showing that our approach allows one to certify probabilistic safety of BNNs with millions of parameters.
Local Navicular Graft for Use in Lateral Column Lengthening in the Surgical Treatment of Stage II Posterior Tibial Tendon Disease

The treatment of Johnson stage II posterior tibial (PT) tendon disease has been well described. Previous techniques for completing a lateral column lengthening for correction of forefoot abduction and supination deformity, as part of a multilevel surgical correction, include tricortical bone graft. Both autogenous and allograft tricortical bone wedges have been shown to successfully achieve correction and maintain the correction with the Evans lateral column lengthening technique. Several patients who require surgical management of their pes planovalgus deformity also have either an accessory navicular or a large medial navicular. Currently described techniques discard this tissue in the resection of the PT tendon and the transfer of the flexor digitorum longus. In this study, 10 of the 68 patients who required surgical management of their stage II PT tendon disease over a period of 24 months had local autograft harvested from the navicular used in the lateral column lengthening. In addition, they all underwent flexor digitorum longus to PT tendon transfer, medializing calcaneal osteotomies, and gastrocnemius recessions, in addition to their lateral column lengthening. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were evaluated for healing of the calcaneal osteotomy and for correction of deformity. In addition, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society’s hindfoot rating scale was applied to all patients preoperatively and at 6 months after surgery. Radiographs revealed that all osteotomy sites with local navicular graft healed by 8 weeks and that American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores improved from 51 to 93 points, which compares favorably with scores from patients managed with iliac crest autograft or allograft bone wedges. A review of our data reveals that nearly 1 in 5 patients who present for reconstructive surgery for their stage II PT tendon disease can successfully have autograft used for lateral column lengthening osteotomy with predictable results.
Identi¢cation of lexical^phonological networks in the superior temporal sulcus using functional magnetic resonance imaging

General agreement exists that dorsal aspects of the temporal lobe support the perception of speech but there is less agreement regarding the mapping between levels of speech processing and neural regions within the dorsal temporal lobe. The present experiment sought to identify temporal lobe regions that support one such level, namely, lexical^phonological representation/ processing.To do this, wemanipulatedphonological neighborhood density, a variable that a¡ects processing within lexical^phonological networks. In a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment, 10 participants listened to blocks of either highdensity or low-density words. High-density words produced signi¢cantly more activation in the posterior half of the superior temporal sulcus bilaterally, suggesting that these regions are involved in lexical^phonological processing networks.NeuroReport 17:1293^1296 c 2006 LippincottWilliams &Wilkins.
A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

Global eradication of smallpox and the forthcoming eradication of poliomyelitis are testimony to the power of immunization programs. It is both notable and sobering that over 2,000,000 newborns and infants under 6 months of age die each year due to infections. Substantial morbidity and mortality among neonates and infants is related to vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Immunization of pregnant mothers and passive transmission of antibodies to the fetus may be an effective way to protect the neonate, but is limited by substantial safety and medico-legal concerns. Neonatal immunization is an approach that combines 2 major advantages: (a) birth is the most frequent and consistent point of healthcare contact, and (b) it initiates early protective responses that shield the susceptible infant. Thus neonatal vaccines achieve relatively high population penetration.
Guest Editorial Compensation and chronic pain

The first reported case of an employee seeking compensation from an employer for a work injury reached the High Court in England during 1837. The plaintiff employee had been travelling in the employer’s van which “broke down, and the plaintiff was thrown with violence to the ground, and his thigh was thereby fractured. ” The lower court entered a verdict of f 100 in favour of the plaintiff. On appeal, however, the judgment was reversed, Lord Abinger C.B. noting that “if the master be liable to the servant in this action, the principle of that liability will be found to carry us to an alarming extent” (Priestley v. Fowler 1837). It was not until 1897 that the Workmen’s Compensation Act introduced a statutory scheme in Great Britain which provided income support for injured workers on a no fuuft basis (Bartrip and Burman 1983). Similar legislation was subsequently passed during the early part of this century in the United States (Larson 19.52). In discussing the effects of the introduction of workers’ compensation laws, Collie stated that “fraud is a product of the age, of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, of Trade Unions and allied Clubs. There are no malingerers in countries where there is no Workmen’s Compensation Act” (Collie 1932, p. 1). Several publications appeared during the early decades of this century on the subject of the detection of malingering among compensation claimants (Collie 1912, 1913, 1932; McKendrick 1912; Jones and Llewellyn 1917). One of the areas of concern discussed by the authors was pain (Slot 1927). Thus, according to Collie, “In dealing with a back injury, it is necessary to make up one’s mind on two points. First, is the pain real, psychic or assumed; second, is it due to disease or accident? In the vast majority of cases, alleged pain in the back is mental and not physical. The idea of a tender spot or of pain takes possession of the patient,
A Comparative Study of High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and Urinary Calcium/Creatinine Ratio in Normal Pregnancy and Pregnancy Induced Hypertension in Gujarat, India

Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a condition characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy. It is the most common leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in females. Serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is one of the suitable markers for low grade inflammation evaluation. Urinary calcium-creatinine ratio (UCa/Cr) is a valuable marker for prediction of PIH. Aim: To measure & correlate serum hs-CRP and urinary calcium-creatinine ratio in between pregnancy-induced hypertension and normal pregnancy. Material & Methods: In present study total 150 subjects attending Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Sir Takhtsinhji Hospital, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, were included which were categorized in two groups. Group A: 75 patients of pregnancy-induced hypertension; Group B: 75 normal pregnant women as a control group. They were primarily diagnosed based on measurement of blood pressure, clinical examination followed by biochemical investigations like hs-CRP, urinary calcium & creatinine, RBS, urea, creatinine, uric acid, CK-MB. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrolling in the study. Results: No significant change in the levels of biological parameters like RBS, urea, creatinine and CK-MB was observed in both the study groups (p>0.05) except serum uric acid shows a significant difference (p<0.001). The levels of hs-CRP were found to be significantly higher in patients of pregnancy-induced hypertension (7.81±3.681)as compared to the normal pregnant women (3.11±1.972)(p<0.0001) . UCa/Cr ratio had more sensitivity and specificity than hs-CRP for prediction of pregnancy-induced hypertension compared to normal pregnancy. Conclusion: UCa/Cr ratio can be used as a more sensitive and specific test to detect pregnancy induced hypertension. perinatal mortality & morbidity, acute renal failure, intra-partum post-partum maternal &
REVISIONE DELLE SPECIE PALEARTICHE DEL GENERE GYMNETRON (INSECTA, COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

The Palaearctic species of the weevil genus Gymnetron Schoenherr, 1825 are treated systematically. Thirty- two species are recognized: G. auliense Reitter, 1907 is considered as a distinct species (new rank) and not a variety of G. melinum Reitter, 1872. The following new synonymies are proposed: G. niloticum Kirsch, 1881 (= G. furcatum Desbrochers, 1893 syn. n.), G. semirubrum Pic, 1899 (= G. semirubrum rubrofemoratum Pic, 1899 syn. n.), G. rostellum (Herbst, 1795) (= G. rostellum africanum Normand, 1937 syn. n.), G. miyoshii Miyoshi, 1922 (= G. villosulum orientale Voss, 1955 syn. n.). The neotype of Curculio beccabungae Linnaeus, 1761 and the following lectotypes are designated: Cionus melanarius Germar, 1821; C. stimulosus Germar, 1821; C. veronicae Germar, 1821; Curculio rostellum Herbst, 1795; Gymnetron aequale Reitter, 1907; G. anagallis Marshall, 1933; G. aper Desbrochers, 1893; G. concinnum Gyllenhal, 1838; G. desbochersi Reitter, 1907; G. foveolatum Hustache, 1927; G. furcatum Desbrochers, 1893; G. jucundum Desbrochers, 1898; G. linkei Reitter, 1907; G. melinum Reitter, 1872; G. melinum auliense Reitter, 1907; G. miyoshii Miyoshi, 1922; G. nigritarse Desbrochers, 1893; G. niloticum Kirsch, 1881; G. obsequens Faust, 1894; G. pseudomelanarium Reitter, 1907; G. rotundicolle Gyllenhal, 1838; G. semirubrum Pic, 1899; G. semirubrum rubrofemoratum Pic, 1899; G. squamicolle Reitter, 1907; G. tibiellum Desbrochers, 1899; G. villosipenne Roelofs, 1875; G. villosulum Gyllenhal, 1838; G. vittipenne Marseul, 1876. On the basis of a phylogenetic analysis the species are assigned to nine groups and a cladogram depicting their hypothetical relationships is proposed. A key to species, diagnoses of species groups, redescriptions, synonymies, notes on type specimens, comparative notes, distribution, bionomics when available, photographs of habitus and drawings of rostra, genitalia and other useful characters for taxonomy are provided.
DNA barcoding of selected cephalopods from Indian coast

Biodiversity characterization is essential for sustainable utilization of resources and to define biological entities for conservation. India is blessed with rich biodiversity but few species have been formally documented till now. DNA barcoding, i.e. the use of 655bp region of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was adopted as a global bio-identification system for animals in recent years. In this study, 14 individuals of Cephalopods comprising 5 species, 3 orders and 3 families were barcoded. The average genetic distance within species, genus, family and order was 0.002, 0.106, 0.171, and 0.208, respectively. In addition to barcode-based species identification system, allopatric divergence values among different geographically distant populations.
The role of workplace social capital, compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress in affective organisational commitment of a sample of Iranian nurses

Background Affective organisational commitment (AOC) refers to employees’ emotional attachment to the organisation and identification with it. It is vital that nurses explore contributors to their AOC because they stand as the largest group of employees in healthcare organisations. Aim This cross-sectional, analytical study explored the role of workplace social capital (WSC), compassion satisfaction (CS), and secondary traumatic stress (STS) in AOC in a sample of Iranian nurses. Method The study sample consisted of 250 nurses working in eight hospitals affiliated with Birjand University of Medical Sciences, eastern Iran. Participants’ WSC was measured using the Social Capital at Work Scale developed by Kouvonen et al. (2006). CS and STS were measured using CS and STS dimensions of the Professional Quality of Life measure (Version 5) developed by Stamm (2010). Results Significant positive associations were found between WSC and AOC (p < 0.001), between the cognitive dimension of WSC and AOC (p < 0.001), between the structural dimension of WSC and AOC (p < 0.001), and between CS and AOC (p < 0.001). The correlation between STS and AOC (p < 0.001) was negatively significant. Conclusion Effort to promote WSC and CS on the one hand and prevention and early recognition of STS on the other hand can enhance nurses’ AOC.
E¡ect of protein kinase Cb inhibitor on Ca homeostasis in diabetic sensory neurons

To elucidate the direct e¡ect of selective protein kinase Cb inhibitor LY333531 on diabetic sensory neurons, we examined intracellular Ca concentration in isolated rat dorsal root ganglion neurons using the £uorescent Ca indicator fura-2. The duration of calcium transients induced by high (50mM) extracellular K in small diabetic dorsal root ganglion neurons was signi¢cantlyprolongedcomparedwith that in control neurons. This prolonged intracellular Ca concentration elevation in diabetic neurons was normalized rapidly and reversibly by LY333531 in a dose-dependent manner, and the e¡ect of LY333531 was completely abolished by pretreating the neurons with mitochondrial calcium uniporter inhibitor, Ruthenium 360. These results suggest that LY333531 has an ameliorating e¡ect on calciumhomeostasis of diabetic sensoryneurons viamitochondrial calcium bu¡ering. NeuroReport 17:683^688 c 2006 Lippincott Williams &Wilkins.
Analysis of the Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Aerobic-Anaerobic Capacity and Muscle Strength

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of menstrual cycle phases on aerobic-anaerobic capacity and muscle strength. 10 female kickboxing athletes with an average age of 21.40±2.01 years; average height of 169.60±6.14 cm; average weight of 63.90±5.76 kg and average training age of 7.41±2.10 participated in the study. On the first day, maximal strength (1RM), strength endurance, wingate anaerobic power and capacity test (WAnT) were conducted and aerobic measurements were taken the next day. The measurements were conducted in follicular phase on the days 2-3 rd of menstrual bleeding, in mid-follicular phase on 8-9 th days and in luteal phase on 22-23 th days. The data were analyzed with Friedman repeated measurements variance analysis. According to the results of the study, it was found that kickboxing athletes’ aerobic-anaerobic capacity, 1RM, strength endurance and heart rate (HR) were not affected by follicular phase, mid-follicular phase and luteal phase (p>0.005). As a conclusion, it can be said that menstrual cycle does not influence performance parameters such as muscle strength, muscle endurance and aerobic-anaerobic capacity.
CME Overview The Global Burden of Acute Otitis Media in Children: Outcomes, Management and Prospects for Prevention

The addition of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) to the routine immunization schedule in the United States for infants has produced a much more favorable impact on the incidence of acute otitis media (AOM) than anticipated. Because the serotypes included in PCV7 were those most frequently expressing antibiotic resistance in 2001, predictions were made that up to 98% of pneumococcal AOM episodes would be caused by penicillin susceptible strains. However, recent studies have shown that the benefits of PCV7 are becoming eroded. Replacement serotypes of pneumococci have emerged, expressing polysaccharide capsules different from those included in PCV7, with increasing frequency. These replacement strains are coming to dominate in the nasopharynx and in AOM isolates (and in invasive disease). Expansion in the isolation of serotypes 3, 7F, 15B/C/F, 19A, 22F, 33F, and 38 has been described in various surveillance systems. Pneumococcal strains expressing non-PCV7 capsular serotypes also appear to be rapidly acquiring resistance to penicillin and other antibiotics. Emergence of strains of pneumococci expressing non-PCV7 capsular serotypes is occurring by multiple mechanisms including capsular switching as suggested by molecular epidemiology studies. Expansion of the number of serotypes included in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines is needed to sustain a long-term benefit from immunization against these bacteria.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR RESPONSE TO: COMMENTS ON ‘‘A FAST METHOD FOR DETERMINING SOIL PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION USING A LASER INSTRUMENT’’ BY F. J. ARRIAGA,

We appreciate the comments from Eshel and Levy (this issue) regarding Arriaga et al. (2006). It is obvious that they understand particle size distribution (PSD) analysis and the value of light diffraction methods for soil particle size analysis. The principal objective of our work was to develop a quick and simplified protocol for preparing soil samples and performing PSD measurements with a laser-light diffraction (LD) instrument. We focused on the main advantages of LD methods, speed, and ease of analysis to develop a procedure to prepare, handle, and analyze soil samples. Once a procedure was developed, the next common question asked by other scientists was on how it related to currently accepted methods. Thus, a second objective was to determine optimal values for the refractive indices used in the optical model to match PSD data to the sieve-pipette method as close as possible. There are advantages and disadvantages to any laboratory procedure when one is trying to estimate a certain parameter or quantity from a sample. It is the responsibility of the user to understand these constraints. We accept the fact that there are certain inherent issues associated with trying to relate LD readings with sieve-pipette values, and as such, our comparison of volume percent to mass percent is similar to relating the output from an instrument to amount or concentration of a given variable. This approach was also used to compare data from traditional PSD methods (which are mass percent methods) and LD methods by Beuselinck et al. (1998), Wen et al. (2002), Eshel et al. (2004) (see Fig. 4), and Zobeck (2004).