Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Item-based Multi-Criteria Collaborative Filtering Algorithm for Personalized Recommender Systems

Recommender Systems are used to mitigate the information overload problem in different domains by providing personalized recommendations for particular users based on their implicit and explicit preferences. However, Item-based Collaborative Filtering (CF) techniques, as the most popular techniques of recommender systems, suffer from sparsity and new item limitations which result in producing inaccurate recommendations. The use of items’ semantic information besides the inclusion of multi-criteria ratings can successfully alleviate such problems and generate more accurate recommendations. This paper proposes an Item-based Multi-Criteria Collaborative Filtering algorithm that integrates the items’ semantic information and multi-criteria ratings of items to lessen known limitations of the item-based CF techniques. According to the experimental results, the proposed algorithm prove to be very effective in terms of dealing with both of the sparsity and new item problems and therefore produce more accurate recommendations when compared to standard item-based CF techniques.
Molecular and cellular characterization of the age‐related neuroinflammatory processes occurring in normal rat hippocampus: potential relation with the loss of somatostatin GABAergic neurons

Increased neuroinflammatory reaction is frequently observed during normal brain aging. However, a direct link between neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration during aging has not yet been clearly shown. Here, we have characterized the age‐related hippocampal inflammatory processes and the potential relation with hippocampal neurodegeneration. The mRNA expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and the iNOs enzyme was significantly increased in aged hippocampus. Accordingly, numerous activated microglial cells were observed in aged rats. These cells were differentially distributed along the hippocampus, being more frequently located in the hilus and the CA3 area. The mRNA expression of somatostatin, a neuropeptide expressed by some GABAergic interneurons, and the number of somatostatin‐immunopositive cells decreased in aged rats. However, the number of hippocampal parvalbumin‐containing GABAergic interneurons was preserved. Interestingly, in aged rats, the mRNA expression of somatostatin and IL‐1β was inversely correlated and, the decrease in the number of somatostatin‐immunopositive cells was higher in the hilus of dentate gyrus than in the CA1 region. Finally, intraperitoneal chronic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in young animals mimicked the age‐related hippocampal inflammation as well as the decrease of somatostatin mRNA expression. Present results strongly support the neuroinflammation as a potential factor involved in the age‐related degeneration of somatostatin GABAergic cells.
Analysis of Axial Flux PM Machines including stator and rotor core losses

Accurate analysis of electrical machinery is of the outmost importance in the design process. Many studies have demonstrated that accurately assessing the behavior of axial flux PM machines is not an easy task, even using FEM analysis. The model proposed in the paper takes into account MMF harmonics, skewing, stator and rotor core losses with traditional and fractional winding layouts. The model is experimentally verified with no-load and load tests on a prototype of an axial flux soft magnetic composite PM synchronous machine.
A guide on gene prioritization in studies of psychiatric disorders

There has been an increasing interest in the identification of genetic variants causing individual differences in human behavior. Psychiatrists have contributed to the genetics field by defining the most important behavioral characteristics and by studying the association between genetic variants and behavioral differences within phenotypically well‐characterized samples in which detailed assessments have been collected (e.g. neuroimaging). These samples are typically limited in size and are therefore not suitable for a genome‐wide association analysis. Instead, gene association studies conducted in such samples typically focus on a few genes of interest, allowing smaller sample sizes. However, the selection of high‐priority genes is not always straightforward and psychiatrists will usually have a limited background in genetics. We aim to fill this gap by (i) providing a basic introduction to genetics; (ii) showing how the selection of genes of interest can be optimized by the use of two web tools: Polysearch and Gene Prospector; (iii) illustrating how statistical power analyses can be performed and discussing the importance of sufficiently powered studies. This guide can help psychiatrists with limited experience in genetics in designing genetic studies that allow identification of specific behavioral, cognitive, or neural correlates of genetic risk variants, while avoiding common pitfalls. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interference alignment and bit allocation in heterogeneous networks with limited feedback

This paper focuses on downlink interference issues in the open subscriber group (OSG) mode of heterogeneous network (HetNet). In OSG mode, the inter macro-user interference is the main interference to macro user equipments (UEs), and the inter cell interference (ICI), containing the inter picocell interference and the cross-layer interference from macro base station (BS), is the main interference to pico UEs. An interference alignment (IA) scheme for such HetNet is proposed. The transceiver is designed as follows, 1) the precoding matrix for macro BS and the interference suppression matrices for macro UEs are used to eliminate the inter macro-user interference to macro UEs; 2) the precoding matrices of pico BSs are designed to align the inter picocell interference onto the space of the strongest cross-layer interference produced by macro BS; 3) the aligned interference is eliminated by the interference suppression matrices of pico UEs. In addition, the influence of imperfect channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT) on the proposed IA scheme is analyzed. By characterizing the rate loss as a function of the feedback bits number, a bit allocation scheme is given. The simulations show that the proposed scheme can reduce the requirement of the receive antennas number and improve the system throughput of HetNet.
Physical feasibility of robot base inertial parameter identification: A linear matrix inequality approach

Identification of robot dynamics is a key issue in boosting the performance of model-based control techniques, having also a key role in realistic simulation. Robot dynamic parameters have physical meaning, hence parameter estimations must correspond to physically feasible values. Since it is only possible to identify linear combinations of parameters (the base parameters) the physical feasibility of such combinations cannot be directly asserted. In this paper we show that feasibility conditions define a convex set and can be written as a linear matrix inequality (LMI), suitable for semidefinite programming (SDP) techniques. We propose three methods based on LMI–SDP to deal with the feasibility of base parameters. The first method checks if a given base parameter estimation has physical meaning. The second method corrects infeasible estimations, finding the closest feasible base parameters. These two methods can be applied to existing regression techniques. The third method performs parameter identification through ordinary least squares regression constrained to the feasible space, guaranteeing the optimal solution. Experiments with a seven-link robot manipulator are provided, and efficiency and scalability are discussed.
Computer-Assisted Surgical Treatment of Orbitozygomatic Fractures

Orbitozygomatic fractures pertain to the most common injuries in craniofacial trauma patients. Accurate fracture reduction is of high importance for a successful outcome. This pilot study was performed to assess the potential benefit of surgical navigation to aid in orbitozygomatic fracture reduction. A non-comparative series of five consecutive patients with severely displaced orbitozygomatic fractures was treated using the guidance of computed tomography (CT)-based surgical navigation. Using a previously developed software platform, the fracture was reduced virtually by a three-dimensional shifting of the orbitozygomatic complex within the patient's preoperative multimodal CT data set. This treatment plan was transferred to a navigation system. Fracture reduction was performed according to the treatment plan using surgical navigation. Intraoperative control of fracture reduction by comparing the real with the virtual bone position using surgical navigation showed up as a helpful tool. Accurate treatment planning and immediate evaluation of craniofacial surgery outcome are the benefits of the new approach demonstrated. A major drawback of the presented approach is a high consumption of human and financial resources. A larger clinical series with long-term follow-up will be needed to determine reproducibility and cost-effectiveness. In addition to bone repositioning, a future application may include simulation of craniofacial osteotomies.
Dual PET and Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging Probes as Tools for Imaging in Oncology.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to summarize advances in PET fluorescence resolution, agent design, and preclinical imaging that make a growing case for clinical PET fluorescence imaging. CONCLUSION Existing SPECT, PET, fluorescence, and MRI contrast imaging techniques are already deeply integrated into the management of cancer, from initial diagnosis to the observation and management of metastases. Combined positron-emitting fluorescent contrast agents can convey new or substantial benefits that improve on these proven clinical contrast agents.
Evaluation of an Input Function Model that Incorporates the Injection Schedule in FDG-PET Studies

Accurate determination of the input function is essential for absolute quantification of physiological parameters in positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Uncertainties associated with the input function due to such factors as measurement errors and inappropriate sampling protocols can hamper reliable estimation of physiological parameters. Although intravenous bolus injection has been a widely used tracer administration schedule, it imposes a sampling requirement around the peak of the blood curve where rapid blood sampling is needed to capture the dramatic changes of tracer kinetics. By administering tracer as a short-time constant infusion, such a sampling requirement can be relieved. Fitting an analytical function or a series of functions to the blood data is a common strategy to reduce statistical fluctuations. However, abrupt changes in the blood curve and differed in the injection schedule can cause ill-conditioned fitting. A physiological model that incorporated the injection schedule should be more appropriate for this task. The focus of this paper is to evaluate one such model for fitting blood data obtained with a short-time infusion of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). It was found that common analytical functions failed to fit the blood data in majority cases, whereas the physiological model that incorporated the injection schedule provided reliable and reproducible fits to the blood data.
Whole exome sequencing of pediatric gastric adenocarcinoma reveals an atypical presentation of Li‐Fraumeni syndrome

Gastric adenocarcinoma is a rare diagnosis in childhood. A 14‐year‐old male patient presented with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, and a strong family history of colon cancer. Clinical sequencing of CDH1 and APC were negative. Whole exome sequencing was therefore applied to capture the majority of protein‐coding regions for the identification of single‐nucleotide variants, small insertion/deletions, and copy number abnormalities in the patient's germline as well as primary tumor.
Simultaneous highly selective MR water and fat imaging using a simple new type of spectral‐spatial excitation

In a recent contribution [MRM 38:269–274 (1997)], it was reported that an excitation by a series of sinc‐shaped slice‐selective RF pulses with binomial amplitude ratios and complete spin refocusing between consecutive pulses leads to water‐ or fat‐selective images of high quality. A method for simultaneous water and fat imaging in multislice operation is presented based on the principle of alternated line scanning and linear superposition of several excitations. For example, a 1‐3‐3‐1 pulse train with suitable interpulse delays results in a water‐selective excitation, whereas a 1 ‐ 3 ‐ 3 ‐ 1 train leads to a selective excitation of fat (transmitter frequency corresponds with the Larmor frequency of water protons). Phase cycling of the excitation (1 ‐ 3 ‐ 3 ‐1 for the even line numbers in k‐space, but 1 ‐ 3 ‐ 3 ‐1 for the odd line numbers) causes a shift of n/2 lines in phase‐encode direction for the fat signals in an n × m matrix. The principle of linear superposition explains why an excitation of 2 ‐ 0 ‐ 6 ‐ 0 for the even lines and 0 ‐ 6 ‐ 0 ‐ 2 for the odd lines results in a final image with unshifted water signals and shifted fat signals. Both water and fat portions are simultaneously exhibited and separated without any signal loss. Examples recorded by a gradient‐echo sequence demonstrate the potential of the new technique that allows a reduction of up to 50% of measuring time compared with former frequency‐selective imaging methods.
The demise of the instant/unprepared contrast enema in large bowel obstruction

Objective Imaging the colon in suspected acute large bowel obstruction (LBO) is traditionally carried out with a supine abdominal X‐ray (AXR) and erect chest X‐ray. If there is no clinical or radiological evidence to suggest a perforation, then an unprepared barium or water‐soluble contrast enema (CE) can be performed to confirm the presence of and demonstrate the site of obstruction. The advent of modern, fast multidetector CT (MDCT) scanners has changed management strategies for acute abdominal conditions including suspected LBO in all groups of patients especially the elderly, infirm and those on ITU/HDU.
A non-catalytic role for inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase in the synthesis of ribosomal RNA

Summary Fundamental to the life and destiny of every cell is the regulation of protein synthesis through ribosome biogenesis, which begins in the nucleolus with the production of ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Nucleolar organization is a highly dynamic and tightly regulated process; the structural factors that direct nucleolar assembly and disassembly are just as important in controlling rRNA synthesis as are the catalytic activities that synthesize rRNA. Here, we report that a signaling enzyme, inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase (IP5K) is also a structural component in the nucleolus. We demonstrate that IP5K has functionally significant interactions with three proteins that regulate rRNA synthesis: protein kinase CK2, TCOF1 and upstream-binding-factor (UBF). Through molecular modeling and mutagenic studies, we identified an Arg-Lys-Lys tripeptide located on the surface of IP5K that mediates its association with UBF. Nucleolar IP5K spatial dynamics were sensitive to experimental procedures (serum starvation or addition of actinomycin D) that inhibited rRNA production. We show that IP5K makes stoichiometrically sensitive contributions to the architecture of the nucleoli in intact cells, thereby influencing the degree of rRNA synthesis. Our study adds significantly to the biological significance of IP5K; previously, it was the kinase activity of this protein that had attracted attention. Our demonstration that IP5K ‘moonlights’ as a molecular scaffold offers an unexpected new example of how the biological sophistication of higher organisms can arise from gene products acquiring multiple functions, rather than by an increase in gene number.
An improved quaternion-based Kalman filter for real-time tracking of rigid body orientation

This paper presents an improved Kalman filter for real-time tracking of human body motions. An earlier version of the filter was presented at IROS 2001. Since then, the filter has been substantially improved. Real-time tracking of rigid body orientation is accomplished using the MARG (magnetic, angular rate, and gravity) sensors. A MARG sensor measures the three-dimensional local magnetic field, three-dimensional angular rate, and three-dimensional acceleration. A Kalman filter is designed to process measurements provided by the MARG sensors, and to produce real-time orientation represented in quaternions. There are many design decisions as related to choice of state vectors, output equations, process model, etc. The filter design presented in this paper utilizes the Gauss-Newton method for parameter optimization in conjunction with Kalman filtering. The use of the Gauss-Newton method, particularly the reduced-order implementation introduced in the paper, significantly simplifies the Kalman filter design, and reduces computational requirements.
Advances in regenerative therapies for spinal cord injury: a biomaterials approach

Spinal cord injury results in the permanent loss of function, causing enormous personal, social and economic problems. Even though neural regeneration has been proven to be a natural mechanism, central nervous system repair mechanisms are ineffective due to the imbalance of the inhibitory and excitatory factors implicated in neuroregeneration. Therefore, there is growing research interest on discovering a novel therapeutic strategy for effective spinal cord injury repair. To this direction, cell-based delivery strategies, biomolecule delivery strategies as well as scaffold-based therapeutic strategies have been developed with a tendency to seek for the answer to a combinatorial approach of all the above. Here we review the recent advances on regenerative/neural engineering therapies for spinal cord injury, aiming at providing an insight to the most promising repair strategies, in order to facilitate future research conduction.
Hazards Assessment of Vegetable Oil Storage and Processing Plants

A quantitative methodology was developed in order to assess the possible hazards connected with the vegetable oil storage facilities and process plants. The main criticalities in these plants are due to the presence of residual volatile flammable solvents deriving from the extraction processes. The residual solvent may accumulate in the storage tanks generating flammable vapour mixtures. On the same time, the presence of volatile substances in the refining process feed may cause operative problems in the sections operating at high temperature and low pressure. The methodology allowed a preliminary assessment of the possibility of explosion hazard in storage conditions. Moreover, the implementation of the refining process model, allowed simulating undesired process deviations, and determining the effective control measures able to restore the operations.
Technology of upstream fi rms and equilibrium product di ff erentiation

Using a Hotelling-type product differentiation model (linear city model), we investigate the location strategies of upstream and downstream firms. We show that when transport costs of upstream firms are large, higher transport costs decrease the level of product differentiation of downstream firms. We also show that more inefficient transport technologies of upstream firms may enhance welfare. We briefly discuss vertical mergers and show that vertical mergers occur if the transport costs of upstream firms are large enough. JEL classification numbers: D43, L13, R32
Investigation of adsorption of the dyestuff astrazon red violet 3rn (basic violet 16) on montmorillonite clay

In this study, color removal by absorption from synthetically prepared wastewater was investigated using montmorillonite clay by adsorption. As dyestuff Astrazon Red Violet 3RN (Basic Violet 16) was used. Experimental parameters selected were pH, temperature, agitation speed, initial dyestuff concentration, adsorbent dosage and ionic strength. It was established that adsorption rate increased with increasing pH, temperature, dye concentration and agitation speed, but decreased with increased ionic strength and adsorbent dosage. Adsorption equilibrium data obtained by a series of experiments carried out in a water bath were employed with common isotherm equations such as Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Elovich and Dubinin-Radushkevich. It was found that the Langmuir equation appears to fit the equilibrium data better than the other models. Furthermore, the fit of the kinetic data to common kinetic models such as the pseudo-first-order, second-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models was tested to elucidate the adsorption mechanism. Kinetic data conformed to the pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorptions. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters activation energy, Ea, enthalpy ΔH*, entropy, ΔS*, and free energy change, ΔG*, were calculated. The values of the calculated parameters indicated that physical adsorption of ARV on the clay was dominant and that the adsorption process was endothermic.
Intergenerational Income Mobility in Urban China

This paper estimates the intergenerational income elasticity for urban China, paying careful attention to the potential biases induced by income fluctuations and life cycle effects. Our preferred estimates are that the intergenerational income elasticities are 0.74 for father-son, 0.84 for father-daughter, 0.33 for mother-son, and 0.47 for mother-daughter. This suggests that while China has experienced rapid growth of absolute incomes, the relative position of children in the distribution is largely determined by their parents’ incomes. Investigating possible causal channels, we find that parental education, occupation, and Communist Party membership all play important roles in transmitting economic status from parents to children.
Aggregation and disaggregation in product form queueing Petri Nets

Product from queueing Petri Nets (PQPNs) combine the results of product form for Stochastic Petri Nets with the well-known BCMP results in one modeling formalism and include them as special cases. In this paper we establish an exact aggregation approach, based on the product form, which extends Norton's theorem for aggregation in multi-class product form Queueing Networks.
Biometric Privacy by Visual Cryptography Using Random Grid Method

It is of great importance to preserve the privacy of biometric data stored in the central database server. This paper explores the possibility of using visual cryptography for imparting privacy to biometric data such as f ingerprint images, iris codes, and face images. Visual cryptography is a secret sharing scheme where a secret image is encrypted into the shares which independently disclose no information about the original secret image. These two transparencies are stored in separate database servers such that the identity of the private data is not revealed to either server. Here one of the share is in reversible style. Stacking two transparencies after reversing one of them will reveal the original image. Reversing one of the transparencies is to improve security. Keywords—Visua l Cryptography, Random grid, Face, Fingerprint, Iris codes