Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Search for Neutral Higgs Bosons at High tanβ in the b(h/H/A)→bτ(+)τ(−) Channel

The first search in pp collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV for the production of neutral Higgs bosons in association with bottom quarks and decaying in two tau leptons is presented. The cross section for this process is enhanced in many extensions of the standard model, such as its minimal supersymmetric extension (MSSM) at large tanβ. The data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 328 pb -1 , were collected with the DO detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. An upper limit is set on the production cross section of neutral Higgs bosons in the mass range of 90 to 150 GeV, and this limit is used to exclude part of the MSSM parameter space.
Variational Bayesian Model Selection for GMM-Speaker Verification Using Universal Background Model

In this paper we propose to use Variational Bayesian Analysis (VBA) instead of Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimation for Universal Background Model (UBM) building in GMM text independent speaker verification systems. Using VBA estimation solves the problem of the optimal choice of the UBM mixture dimensionality for the training data set, as well as the problem of noise Gaussians which are typical for ML estimation. Experiments using the NIST 2006 and 2008 SRE datasets (cellular channels only) demonstrate superior efficiency of baseline verification systems with a UBM trained using the VBA method compared to standard ML training. Verification error was reduced by almost 8%, compared to a baseline system with standard ML training for the UBM.
Characterization of Prox1 and VEGFR‐3 Expression and Lymphatic Phenotype in Normal Organs of Mice Lacking p50 Subunit of NF‐κB

Please cite this paper as: Flister, Volk and Ran (2011). Characterization of Prox1 and VEGFR‐3 Expression and Lymphatic Phenotype in Normal Organs of Mice Lacking p50 Subunit of NF‐κB. Microcirculation18(2), 85–101.
A sparsity adaptive signal reconstruction algorithm

Aiming at the problem of sparse signal reconstruction when signal's sparsity is unknown in Compressive Sensing (CS), a sparsity adaptive signal reconstruction algorithm based on Multipath Matching Pursuit(MMP) is proposed. In the algorithm, comparing the minimum residual among residuals corresponding to candidate sets in each iteration with the threshold which is set in advance is the only factor to decide whether or not the reconstruction is completed, meanwhile the regularization criterion and the improved retrospective tracing theory are adopted to reduce the number of candidate sets in each iteration. The simulation results show that with no prior knowledge of signal's sparsity, the proposed algorithm has a good reconstruction effect with acceptable computation.
Loop-Level Parallelism in Numeric and Symbolic Programs

A new technique for estimating and understanding the speed improvement that can result from executing a program on a parallel computer is described. The technique requires no additional programming and minimal effort by a program's author. The analysis begins by tracing a sequential program. A parallelism analyzer uses information from the trace to simulate parallel execution of the program. In addition to predicting parallel performance, the parallelism analyzer measures many aspects of a program's dynamic behavior. Measurements of six substantial programs are presented. These results indicate that the three symbolic programs differ substantially from the numeric programs and, as a consequence, cannot be automatically parallelized with the same compilation techniques. >
Sorcery: Could we make P2P content sharing systems robust to deceivers?

Deceptive behaviors of peers in Peer-to-Peer (P2P) content sharing systems have become a serious problem due to the features of P2P overlay networks such as anonymity, self-organization, etc. This paper presents Sorcery, a novel active challenge-response mechanism based on the notion that one side of interaction with dominant information can detect whether the other side is telling a lie. To make each client obtain the dominant information, our approach introduces social network to the P2P content sharing system; thus, the client can establish friend-relationships with peers who are either acquaintances in reality or those reliable online friends. Using the confidential voting histories of friends as own dominant information, the client can challenge the content providers with the overlapping votes of both his friends and the content provider, thus detecting whether the content provider is a deceiver. Moreover, Sorcery provides the punishment mechanism which can reduce the impact brought by deceptive behaviors, and our work also discusses some key practical issues. The experimental results illustrate that Sorcery can effectively address the problem of deceptive behaviors, and work better than the existing reputation models.
Feature extraction and descriptor calculation methods for automatic georeferencing of Philippines' first microsatellite imagery

The FAST-SIFT corner detector and descriptor extractor combination was used to automatically georeference DIWATA-1 Spaceborne Multispectral Imager images. Features from the Fast Accelerated Segment Test (FAST) algorithm detects corners or keypoints in an image, and these robustly detected keypoints have well-defined positions. Descriptors were computed using Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) extractor. FAST-SIFT method effectively SMI same-subscene images detected by the NIR sensor. The method was also tested in stitching NIR images with varying subscene swept by the camera. The slave images were matched to the master image. The keypoints served as the ground control points. Random sample consensus was used to eliminate fall-out matches and ensure accuracy of the feature points from which the transformation parameters were derived. Keypoints are matched based on their descriptor vector. Nearest-neighbor matching is employed based on a metric distance between the descriptors. The metrics include Euclidean and city block, among others. Rough matching outputs not only the correct matches but also the faulty matches. A previous work in automatic georeferencing incorporates a geometric restriction. In this work, we applied a simplified version of the learning method. RANSAC was used to eliminate fall-out matches and ensure accuracy of the feature points. This method identifies if a point fits the transformation function and returns inlier matches. The transformation matrix was solved by Affine, Projective, and Polynomial models. The accuracy of the automatic georeferencing method were determined by calculating the RMSE of interest points, selected randomly, between the master image and transformed slave image.
Relationship‐building between climate scientists and publics as an alternative to information transfer

This review is written for climate experts dissatisfied with current approaches for contributing to societal responses to climate change via their interactions with publics. We review the origins and contemporary manifestations of the deficit model, showing that it is the underlying basis for how experts imagine and conduct their interactions with publics. Rather than simply raising awareness among experts concerning their role(s) in perpetuating the deficit model, we use experts and their assumptions to organize our synthesis. Our review will challenge climate experts by demonstrating that educative approaches are inadequate if their goal is to influence behavior by publics. We demonstrate that experts' prevailing means of contributing to socioscientific controversies are crippled, not by public indifference or ignorance, but by experts' allegiance to the assumption that information transfer can prompt behavior change. The transfer of climate experts' knowledge by itself has little chance of changing publics' behaviors. It may be that such approaches work with people already disposed to the information or who defer to experts, but it is unlikely to affect publics who are doubtful, those whose livelihoods are precarious, or those who do not want to consider the terrifying implications of climate change. We propose relationship building as an alternative that can avoid resuscitating the deficit model and its inherent problems. We argue that, to have the impacts that they are seeking, experts will need to negotiate their ends honestly, admit the values driving those ends, and coproduce the means that can accomplish the collaboratively chosen ends.
Evaluation of the impact of AIRS profiles on prediction of Indian summer monsoon using WRF variational data assimilation system

This study investigates the impact of temperature and moisture profiles from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on the prediction of the Indian summer monsoon, using the variational data assimilation system annexed to the Weather Research and Forecasting model. In this study, three numerical experiments are carried out. The first is the control and includes no assimilation; in the second, named Conv, assimilation of conventional Global Telecommunication System data is performed. The third one, named ConvAIRS, is identical to the Conv except that it also includes assimilation of AIRS profiles. The initial fields of tropospheric temperature and water vapor mixing ratio showed significant improvement over the model domain. Assimilation of AIRS profiles has significant impact on predicting the seasonal mean monsoon characteristics such as tropospheric temperature, low‐level moisture distribution, easterly wind shear, and precipitation. The vertical structure of the root‐mean‐square error is substantially affected by the assimilation of AIRS profiles, with smaller errors in temperature, humidity, and wind magnitude. The consequent improved representation of moisture convergence in the boundary layer (deep convection as well) causes an increase in precipitation forecast skill. The fact that the monsoonal circulation is better captured, thanks to an improved representation of thermal gradients, which in turn leads to more realistic moisture transport, is particularly noteworthy. Several previous data impact studies with AIRS and other sensors have focused on the short or medium range of the forecast. The demonstrated improvement in all the predicted fields associated with the Indian summer monsoon, consequent to the month long assimilation of AIRS profiles, is an innovative finding with large implications to the operational seasonal forecasting capabilities over the Indian subcontinent.
Replication Timing: A Fingerprint for Cell Identity and Pluripotency

Many types of epigenetic profiling have been used to classify stem cells, stages of cellular differentiation, and cancer subtypes. Existing methods focus on local chromatin features such as DNA methylation and histone modifications that require extensive analysis for genome-wide coverage. Replication timing has emerged as a highly stable cell type-specific epigenetic feature that is regulated at the megabase-level and is easily and comprehensively analyzed genome-wide. Here, we describe a cell classification method using 67 individual replication profiles from 34 mouse and human cell lines and stem cell-derived tissues, including new data for mesendoderm, definitive endoderm, mesoderm and smooth muscle. Using a Monte-Carlo approach for selecting features of replication profiles conserved in each cell type, we identify “replication timing fingerprints” unique to each cell type and apply a k nearest neighbor approach to predict known and unknown cell types. Our method correctly classifies 67/67 independent replication-timing profiles, including those derived from closely related intermediate stages. We also apply this method to derive fingerprints for pluripotency in human and mouse cells. Interestingly, the mouse pluripotency fingerprint overlaps almost completely with previously identified genomic segments that switch from early to late replication as pluripotency is lost. Thereafter, replication timing and transcription within these regions become difficult to reprogram back to pluripotency, suggesting these regions highlight an epigenetic barrier to reprogramming. In addition, the major histone cluster Hist1 consistently becomes later replicating in committed cell types, and several histone H1 genes in this cluster are downregulated during differentiation, suggesting a possible instrument for the chromatin compaction observed during differentiation. Finally, we demonstrate that unknown samples can be classified independently using site-specific PCR against fingerprint regions. In sum, replication fingerprints provide a comprehensive means for cell characterization and are a promising tool for identifying regions with cell type-specific organization.
Consequences of the depletion of zygotic and embryonic enhancer of zeste 2 during preimplantation mouse development

Enhancer of zeste 2 (Ezh2), a SET domain-containing protein, is crucial for development in many model organisms, including early mouse development. In mice, Ezh2 is detected as a maternally inherited protein in the oocyte but its function at the onset of development is unknown. We have used a conditional allele of Ezh2 to deplete the oocyte of this maternal inheritance. We show that the loss of maternal Ezh2 has a long-term effect causing severe growth retardation of neonates despite `rescue' through embryonic transcription from the paternal allele. This phenotypic effect on growth could be attributed to the asymmetric localisation of the Ezh2/Eed complex and the associated histone methylation pattern to the maternal genome, which is disrupted in Ezh2 mutant zygotes. During subsequent development, we detect distinct histone methylation patterns in the trophectoderm and the pluripotent epiblast. In the latter where Oct4 expression continues from the zygote onwards, the Ezh2/Eed complex apparently establishes a unique epigenetic state and plasticity, which probably explains why loss of Ezh2 is early embryonic lethal and obligatory for the derivation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells. By contrast, in the differentiating trophectoderm cells where Oct4 expression is progressively downregulated Ezh2/Eed complex is recruited transiently to one X chromosome in female embryos at the onset of X-inactivation. This accumulation and the associated histone methylation are also lost in Ezh2 mutants, suggesting a role in X inactivation. Thus, Ezh2 has significant and diverse roles during early development, as well as during the establishment of the first differentiated cells, the trophectoderm, and of the pluripotent epiblast cells.
The correlation between emotional distress and aging males’ symptoms at a psychiatric outpatient clinic: sexual dysfunction as a distinguishing characteristic between andropause and anxiety/depression in aging men

Background Andropause and psychiatric disorders are associated with various symptoms in aging males and are part of the differential diagnosis of depression and anxiety. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between symptoms of aging, anxiety, and depression, and to determine if sexual dysfunction could be a differentiating characteristic in the psychiatric outpatient clinic. Methods One hundred seventy-six male psychiatric outpatients participated in the study and completed self-reported measures assessing symptoms of aging, depression, and anxiety. Symptoms of aging were assessed by the Aging Males’ Symptoms scale. Anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Erectile dysfunction was considered if a response to item 15 on the Aging Males’ Symptoms scale (impaired sexual potency) was rated with 4 or 5 points. Affective disturbance was assessed by the total scores of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results Age was correlated with less anxiety and more sexual symptoms. Anxiety and depression were associated with more severe symptoms of aging, and depression was associated with more sexual symptoms than was anxiety. Impaired sexual potency was the only sexual symptom not significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Depression was associated with an interspousal age gap of ≥6 years. The point prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 28.4%, and age and affective disturbance were associated with the risk of erectile dysfunction. Conclusion Impaired sexual potency should raise the suspicion of androgen deficiency rather than depression and anxiety among middle-aged or older male psychiatric outpatients.
Resting-brain functional connectivity predicted by analytic measures of network communication

Significance Patterns of distributed brain activity are thought to underlie virtually all aspects of cognition and behavior. In this paper, we explore the degree to which it is possible to predict such functional patterns from the network of anatomical connections that link brain regions. To this end, we use three separately acquired neuroimaging datasets recording anatomical and functional connections in the human brain. We apply several measures of network communication that are derived analytically from the brain’s anatomical network. Our principal finding is that such network measures can predict empirically measured functional connectivity at levels that exceed other modeling approaches. Our study sheds light on the important role of anatomical networks and communication processes in shaping the brain’s functional activity. The complex relationship between structural and functional connectivity, as measured by noninvasive imaging of the human brain, poses many unresolved challenges and open questions. Here, we apply analytic measures of network communication to the structural connectivity of the human brain and explore the capacity of these measures to predict resting-state functional connectivity across three independently acquired datasets. We focus on the layout of shortest paths across the network and on two communication measures—search information and path transitivity—which account for how these paths are embedded in the rest of the network. Search information is an existing measure of information needed to access or trace shortest paths; we introduce path transitivity to measure the density of local detours along the shortest path. We find that both search information and path transitivity predict the strength of functional connectivity among both connected and unconnected node pairs. They do so at levels that match or significantly exceed path length measures, Euclidean distance, as well as computational models of neural dynamics. This capacity suggests that dynamic couplings due to interactions among neural elements in brain networks are substantially influenced by the broader network context adjacent to the shortest communication pathways.
Changing the Direction of Suicide Prevention Research: A Necessity for True Population Impact.

Suicide rates in most Western countries have not decreased in the last decade, a finding that compares unfavorably with the progress made in other areas, such as breast and skin cancers, human immunodeficiency virus, and automobile accidents,1 for which the rates have decreased by 40% to 80%. Preventing suicide is not easy. The base rate of suicide is low, making it hard to determine which individuals are at risk. Our current approach to the epidemiologic risk factors has failed because prediction studies have no clinical utility—even the highest odds ratio is not informative at the individual level. Decades of research on predicting suicides failed to identify any new predictors, despite the large numbers of studies.2 A previous suicide attempt is our best marker of a future attempt, but 60% of suicides are by persons who had made no previous attempts. Although recent studies in cognitive neuroscience have shed light on the cognitive “lesions” that underlie suicide risk, especially deficits in executive functioning, we have no biological markers of suicide risk, or indeed of any mental illness. For those who seek help, current treatments can be effective3 but are not optimal. Novel treatments through repurposing drugs such as ketamine hydrochloride may provide new opportunities. However, people at risk of suicide do not seek help. Eighty percent of people at risk have been in contact with health services prior to their attempts, but they do not identify themselves, largely because they do not think that they need help.
A Labeled Graph Kernel for Relationship Extraction

In this paper, we propose an approach for Relationship Extraction (RE) based on labeled graph kernels. The kernel we propose is a particularization of a random walk kernel that exploits two properties previously studied in the RE literature: (i) the words between the candidate entities or connecting them in a syntactic representation are particularly likely to carry information regarding the relationship; and (ii) combining information from distinct sources in a kernel may help the RE system make better decisions. We performed experiments on a dataset of protein-protein interactions and the results show that our approach obtains effectiveness values that are comparable with the state-of-the art kernel methods. Moreover, our approach is able to outperform the state-of-the-art kernels when combined with other kernel methods.
“What about building 7?” A social psychological study of online discussion of 9/11 conspiracy theories

Recent research into the psychology of conspiracy belief has highlighted the importance of belief systems in the acceptance or rejection of conspiracy theories. We examined a large sample of conspiracist (pro-conspiracy-theory) and conventionalist (anti-conspiracy-theory) comments on news websites in order to investigate the relative importance of promoting alternative explanations vs. rejecting conventional explanations for events. In accordance with our hypotheses, we found that conspiracist commenters were more likely to argue against the opposing interpretation and less likely to argue in favor of their own interpretation, while the opposite was true of conventionalist commenters. However, conspiracist comments were more likely to explicitly put forward an account than conventionalist comments were. In addition, conspiracists were more likely to express mistrust and made more positive and fewer negative references to other conspiracy theories. The data also indicate that conspiracists were largely unwilling to apply the “conspiracy theory” label to their own beliefs and objected when others did so, lending support to the long-held suggestion that conspiracy belief carries a social stigma. Finally, conventionalist arguments tended to have a more hostile tone. These tendencies in persuasive communication can be understood as a reflection of an underlying conspiracist worldview in which the details of individual conspiracy theories are less important than a generalized rejection of official explanations.
Design of an Optimal Layout Polyphase Filter for Millimeter-Wave Quadrature LO Generation

The analysis and design of a two-stage passive RC polyphase filter for millimeter-wave quadrature local oscillator generation is presented. The layout parasitics, which significantly deteriorate the filter performance at millimeter-wave frequencies, are identified with the help of impedance variation and transfer function analysis. To alleviate this parasitic degradation, a new optimal layout structure along with parasitic-compensation technique is proposed, which results in a 15-dB improvement in image rejection ratio, as compared with a conventional layout. Using the proposed techniques, more than 35 dB of image rejection over a bandwidth of 7 GHz is demonstrated in an outphasing transmitter at 60 GHz in 40-nm CMOS.