Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological Neuron Classification Using Machine Learning

Classification and quantitative characterization of neuronal morphologies from histological neuronal reconstruction is challenging since it is still unclear how to delineate a neuronal cell class and which are the best features to define them by. The morphological neuron characterization represents a primary source to address anatomical comparisons, morphometric analysis of cells, or brain modeling. The objectives of this paper are (i) to develop and integrate a pipeline that goes from morphological feature extraction to classification and (ii) to assess and compare the accuracy of machine learning algorithms to classify neuron morphologies. The algorithms were trained on 430 digitally reconstructed neurons subjectively classified into layers and/or m-types using young and/or adult development state population of the somatosensory cortex in rats. For supervised algorithms, linear discriminant analysis provided better classification results in comparison with others. For unsupervised algorithms, the affinity propagation and the Ward algorithms provided slightly better results.
BerkMin: A fast and robust SAT-solver

We describe a SAT-solver, BerkMin, that inherits such features of GRASP, SATO, and Chaff as clause recording, fast BCP, restarts, and conflict clause "aging". At the same time BerkMin introduces a new decision making procedure and a new method of clause database management. We experimentally compare BerkMin with Chaff, the leader among SAT-solvers used in the EDA domain. Experiments show that our solver is more robust than Chaff. BerkMin solved all the instances we used in experiments including very large CNFs from a microprocessor verification benchmark suite. On the other hand, Chaff was not able to complete some instances even with the timeout limit of 16 hours.
Effect of Static and Dynamic Stretching on the Diurnal Variations of Jump Performance in Soccer Players

Purpose The present study addressed the lack of data on the effect of different types of stretching on diurnal variations in vertical jump height - i.e., squat-jump (SJ) and countermovement-jump (CMJ). We hypothesized that dynamic stretching could affect the diurnal variations of jump height by producing a greater increase in short-term maximal performance in the morning than the evening through increasing core temperature at this time-of-day. Methods Twenty male soccer players (age, 18.6±1.3 yrs; height, 174.6±3.8 cm; body-mass, 71.1±8.6 kg; mean ± SD) completed the SJ and CMJ tests either after static stretching, dynamic stretching or no-stretching protocols at two times of day, 07:00 h and 17:00 h, with a minimum of 48 hours between testing sessions. One minute after warming-up for 5 minutes by light jogging and performing one of the three stretching protocols (i.e., static stretching, dynamic stretching or no-stretching) for 8 minutes, each subject completed the SJ and CMJ tests. Jumping heights were recorded and analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures (3 [stretching]×2 [time-of-day]). Results The SJ and CMJ heights were significantly higher at 17:00 than 07:00 h (p<0.01) after the no-stretching protocol. These daily variations disappeared (i.e., the diurnal gain decreased from 4.2±2.81% (p<0.01) to 1.81±4.39% (not-significant) for SJ and from 3.99±3.43% (p<0.01) to 1.51±3.83% (not-significant) for CMJ) after dynamic stretching due to greater increases in SJ and CMJ heights in the morning than the evening (8.4±6.36% vs. 4.4±2.64%, p<0.05 for SJ and 10.61±5.49% vs. 6.03±3.14%, p<0.05 for CMJ). However, no significant effect of static stretching on the diurnal variations of SJ and CMJ heights was observed. Conclusion Dynamic stretching affects the typical diurnal variations of SJ and CMJ and helps to counteract the lower morning values in vertical jump height.
Towards Predictable Real-Time Performance on Multi-Core Platforms

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) integrate sensing, computing, communication and actuation capabilities to monitor and control operations in the physical environment. A key requirement of such systems is the need to provide predictable real-time performance: the timing correctness of the system should be analyzable at design time with a quantitative metric and guaranteed at runtime with high assurance. This requirement of predictability is particularly important for safety-critical domains such as automobiles, aerospace, defense, manufacturing and medical devices. The work in this dissertation focuses on the challenges arising from the use of modern multi-core platforms in CPS. Even as of today, multi-core platforms are rarely used in safety-critical applications primarily due to the temporal interference caused by contention on various resources shared among processor cores, such as caches, memory buses, and I/O devices. Such interference is hard to predict and can significantly increase task execution time, e.g., up to 12x on commodity quad-core platforms. To address the problem of ensuring timing predictability on multi-core platforms, we develop novel analytical and systems techniques in this dissertation. Our proposed techniques theoretically bound temporal interference that tasks may suffer from when accessing shared resources. Our techniques also involve software primitives and algorithms for real-time operating systems and hypervisors, which significantly reduce the degree of the temporal interference. Specifically, we tackle the issues of cache and memory contention, locking and synchronization, interrupt handling, and access control for computational accelerators such as GPGPUs, all of which are crucial to achieving predictable real-time performance on a modern multi-core platform.
Design Space for Large Cylindrical Screens

The era of modern cylindrical screens, so-called advertising columns, began in the middle of the 19 century. Even nowadays they are still a popular advertising medium, which integrates well with urban environments. With advances in display technologies (LEDs, projectors) digital forms of such columns emerge and enable novel forms of visualization and interaction, which significantly differ from flat, rectangular screens due to the round shape. In this paper we present the design space for large cylindrical screens and outline design principles based on observations and experiments with a prototype of a digital column. We especially focus on the differences with flat, rectangular displays and report on challenges related to the deployment and development of applications for cylindrical screens.
Doxorubicin-Resistant, MRP1-Expressing U-1285 Cells Are Sensitive to Idarubicin

A doxorubicin-resistant subline (U-1285dox900) was derived from the human small cell lung carcinoma cell line U-1285. U-1285dox900 was exposed to a wide range of anticancer agents to determine its resistance profile. In contrast to U-1285 cells, the resistant subline U-1285dox900 expressed elevated MRP1 mRNA detected by reversed transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and MRP1 protein analyzed with Western blot. Neither MDR1 mRNA nor P-glycoprotein could be detected in the parental cell line or resistant subline. U-1285dox900 exhibited high resistance to doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin, and vincristine, an intermediate resistance to mitoxantrone, and a low resistance to etoposide. A collateral sensitivity to cytosine arabinoside, chlorodeoxyadenosine, and melphalan was observed. The resistance could be reversed by buthionine–sulphoximine and verapamil for all tested drugs. Compared with daunorubicin, resistance to idarubicin was very low, 14-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively. This was associated with a higher accumulation due to a slower transport of idarubicin out of U-1285dox900 cells.
Evolution of magnetic fields in galaxies and future observational tests with the Square Kilometre Array

Aims. In the context of models of galaxy formation and evolution, we investigate the cosmological evolution of large- and small-scale magnetic fields inside galaxies. Methods. We use the dynamo theory to derive the timescales of amplification and ordering of magnetic fields in disk and puffy galaxies. Turbulence in protogalactic halos generated by thermal virialization can drive an efficient turbulent dynamo. Results from simulations of hierarchical structure formation cosmology provide a tool to develop an evolutionary model of regular magnetic fields coupled with galaxy formation and evolution. Results. The turbulent (small-scale) dynamo was able to amplify a weak seed magnetic field in halos of protogalaxies to a few μG strength within a few 10 8 yr. This turbulent field served as a seed to the mean-field (large-scale) dynamo. Galaxies similar to the Milky Way formed their disks at z ≈ 10 and regular fields of μG strength and a few kpc coherence length were generated within 2 Gyr (at z ≈ 3), but field-ordering on the coherence scale of the galaxy size required an additional 6 Gyr (at z ≈ 0.5). Giant galaxies formed their disks at z ≈ 10, allowing more efficient dynamo generation of strong regular fields (with kpc coherence length) already at z ≈ 4. However, the age of the Universe is short for fully coherent fields in giant galaxies larger than 15 kpc to have been achieved. Dwarf galaxies should have hosted fully coherent fields at z ≈ 1. After a major merger, the strength of the turbulent field is enhanced by a factor of a few. Conclusions. This evolutionary scenario can be tested by measurements of polarized synchrotron emission and Faraday rotation with the planned Square Kilometre Array (SKA). We predict an anticorrelation between galaxy size and ratio between ordering scale and galaxy size. Weak regular fields (small Faraday rotation) in galaxies at z < 3 are signatures of major mergers. Undisturbed dwarf galaxies should host fully coherent fields, giving rise to strong Faraday rotation signals. Radio observations may serve as a clock for measuring the time since the last major merger.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 is associated with life-history variation across Mammalia

Despite the diversity of mammalian life histories, persistent patterns of covariation have been identified, such as the ‘fast–slow’ axis of life-history covariation. Smaller species generally exhibit ‘faster’ life histories, developing and reproducing rapidly, but dying young. Hormonal mechanisms with pleiotropic effects may mediate such broad patterns of life-history variation. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is one such mechanism because heightened IGF-1 activity is related to traits associated with faster life histories, such as increased growth and reproduction, but decreased lifespan. Using comparative methods, we show that among 41 mammalian species, increased plasma IGF-1 concentrations are associated with fast life histories and altricial reproductive patterns. Interspecific path analyses show that the effects of IGF-1 on these broad patterns of life-history variation are through its direct effects on some individual life-history traits (adult body size, growth rate, basal metabolic rate) and through its indirect effects on the remaining life-history traits. Our results suggest that the role of IGF-1 as a mechanism mediating life-history variation is conserved over the evolutionary time period defining mammalian diversification, that hormone–trait linkages can evolve as a unit, and that suites of life-history traits could be adjusted in response to selection through changes in plasma IGF-1.
A historical perspective on developing foundations iInfo(TM) information systems: iConsult(TM) and iEntertain(TM) apps using iDescribers(TM) information integration for iOrgs(TM) information systems

Technology now at hand can integrate all kinds of digital information for individuals, groups, and organizations so their information usefully links together. iInfo(TM) information integration works by making connections including examples like the following: - A statistical connection between"being in a traffic jam"and"driving in downtown Trenton between 5PM and 6PM on a weekday. "- A terminological connection between"MSR"and"Microsoft Research. "- A causal connection between"joining a group"and"being a member of the group. "- A syntactic connection between"a pin dropped"and"a dropped pin. "- A biological connection between"a dolphin"and"a mammal". - A demographic connection between"undocumented residents of California"and"7% of the population of California. "- A geographical connection between"Leeds"and"England. "- A temporal connection between"turning on a computer"and"joining an on-line discussion. "By making these connections, iInfo offers tremendous value for individuals, families, groups, and organizations in making more effective use of information technology. In practice, integrated information is invariably pervasively inconsistent. Therefore iInfo must be able to make connections even in the face of inconsistency. The business of iInfo is not to make difficult decisions like deciding the ultimate truth or probability of propositions. Instead it provides means for processing information and carefully recording its provenance including arguments (including arguments about arguments) for and against propositions that is used by iConsult(TM) and iEntertain(TM) apps in iOrgs(TM) Information Systems. A historical perspective on the above questions is highly pertinent to the current quest to develop foundations for privacy-friendly client-cloud computing.
Estimating the scattering distribution of the received signal in micro-cellular systems

This paper presents a novel approach for estimating the distribution of the incoming waves at the mobile unit antenna, i.e. the scattering distribution, in a typical micro-cellular system. This estimate is vital in designing unbiased estimators for the velocity of mobile units. The proposed estimator deploys the zero-crossing rates of the quadrature components and the instantaneous frequency of the received signal at the mobile unit to estimate the scattering distribution. By means of simulations, it is shown that the proposed estimator exhibits small bias and root mean square error.
American Sign Language: The Phonological Base

This paper has the ambitious goal of outlining the phonological structures and processes we have analyzed in American Sign Language (ASL). In order to do this we have divided the paper into five parts. In section 1 we detail the types of sequential phenomena found in the production of individual signs, allowing us to argue that ASL signs are composed of sequences of phonological segments, just as are words in spoken languages. Section 2 provides the details of a segmental phonetic transcription system. Using the descriptions made available by the transcription system, Section 3 briefly discusses both paradigmatic and syntagmatic contrast in ASL signs. Section 4 deals with the various types of phonological processes at work in the language, processes remarkable in their similarity to phonological processes found in spoken languages. We conclude the paper with an overview of the major typed of phonological effects of ASL’s rich system of morphological processes. We realize that the majority of readers will come to this paper with neither sign language proficiency nor a knowledge of sign language structure. As a result, many will encounter reference to ASL signs without knowing their form. Although we have been unable to illustrate all the examples, we hope we have provided sufficient illustrations to make the paper more accessible.
Extracting Parallel Fragments from Comparable Corpora for Data-to-text Generation

Building NLG systems, in particular statistical ones, requires parallel data (paired inputs and outputs) which do not generally occur naturally. In this paper, we investigate the idea of automatically extracting parallel resources for data-to-text generation from comparable corpora obtained from the Web. We describe our comparable corpus of data and texts relating to British hills and the techniques for extracting paired input/output fragments we have developed so far.
Prediction of Organ Geometry from Demographic and Anthropometric Data based on Supervised Learning Approach using Statistical Shape Atlas

We propose a method relating internal human organ geometries and non-invasively acquired information such as demographic and anthropometric data. We first apply a dimensionality reduction technique to a training dataset to represent the organ geometry with low dimensional feature coordinates. Regression analysis is then used to determine a regression function between feature coordinates and the external measurements of the subjects. Feature coordinates for the organ of an unknown subject are then predicted from external measurements using the regression function, subsequently the organ geometry is estimated from the feature coordinates. As an example case, lung shapes represented as a point distribution model was analyzed based on demographic (age, gender, race), and several anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and chest dimensions). The training dataset consisted of 124 topologically consistent lung shapes created from thoracic CT scans. The prediction error of lung shape of an unknown subject based on 11 demographic and anthropometric information was 10.71 ± 5.48 mm. This proposed approach is applicable to scenarios where the prediction of internal geometries from external parameters is of interest. Examples include the use of external measurements as a prior information for image quality improvement in low dose CT, and optimization of CT scanning protocol.
Simvastatin for the prevention of exacerbations in moderate-to-severe COPD.

BACKGROUND Retrospective studies have shown that statins decrease the rate and severity of exacerbations, the rate of hospitalization, and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We prospectively studied the efficacy of simvastatin in preventing exacerbations in a large, multicenter, randomized trial. METHODS We designed the Prospective Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Simvastatin in the Prevention of COPD Exacerbations (STATCOPE) as a randomized, controlled trial of simvastatin (at a daily dose of 40 mg) versus placebo, with annual exacerbation rates as the primary outcome. Patients were eligible if they were 40 to 80 years of age, had COPD (defined by a forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] of less than 80% and a ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity of less than 70%), and had a smoking history of 10 or more pack-years, were receiving supplemental oxygen or treatment with glucocorticoids or antibiotic agents, or had had an emergency department visit or hospitalization for COPD within the past year. Patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease and those who were taking statins or who required statins on the basis of Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were excluded. Participants were treated from 12 to 36 months at 45 centers. RESULTS A total of 885 participants with COPD were enrolled for approximately 641 days; 44% of the patients were women. The patients had a mean (±SD) age of 62.2±8.4 years, an FEV1 that was 41.6±17.7% of the predicted value, and a smoking history of 50.6±27.4 pack-years. At the time of study closeout, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in the simvastatin-treated patients than in those who received placebo. The mean number of exacerbations per person-year was similar in the simvastatin and placebo groups: 1.36±1.61 exacerbations and 1.39±1.73 exacerbations, respectively (P=0.54). The median number of days to the first exacerbation was also similar: 223 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 195 to 275) and 231 days (95% CI, 193 to 303), respectively (P=0.34). The number of nonfatal serious adverse events per person-year was similar, as well: 0.63 events with simvastatin and 0.62 events with placebo. There were 30 deaths in the placebo group and 28 in the simvastatin group (P=0.89). CONCLUSIONS Simvastatin at a daily dose of 40 mg did not affect exacerbation rates or the time to a first exacerbation in patients with COPD who were at high risk for exacerbations. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; STATCOPE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01061671.).
A Parallel and Efficient Algorithm for Learning to Match

Many tasks in data mining and related fields can be formalized as matching between objects in two heterogeneous domains, including collaborative filtering, link prediction, image tagging, and web search. Machine learning techniques, referred to as learning-to-match in this paper, have been successfully applied to the problems. Among them, a class of state-of-the-art methods, named feature-based matrix factorization, formalize the task as an extension to matrix factorization by incorporating auxiliary features into the model. Unfortunately, making those algorithms scale to real world problems is challenging, and simple parallelization strategies fail due to the complex cross talking patterns between sub-tasks. In this paper, we tackle this challenge with a novel parallel and efficient algorithm. Our algorithm, based on coordinate descent, can easily handle hundreds of millions of instances and features on a single machine. The key recipe of this algorithm is an iterative relaxation of the objective to facilitate parallel updates of parameters, with guaranteed convergence on minimizing the original objective function. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective on a wide range of matching problems, with efficiency significantly improved upon the baselines while accuracy retained unchanged.
How Should We Measure Need?: Concept and Practice in the Development of a Standardized Assessment Schedule

Abstract:An important aim of recent health and social service reforms is to provide care for those with severe mental disorders according to an "assessment of need. " In an effort to make such assessments of need reliable, a number of standardized instruments have been developed. However, using an instrument of this kind (the Medical Research Council [MRC] Needs for Care Assessment Schedule) in hostels for the homeless led to the identification of needs that differed from the needs identified clinically. This problem is shown to have arisen ultimately from a misconception about the nature of need ("the personification error"), according to which it is assumed that need must be assessed exclusively from one point of view. In the case of the MRC schedule the relevant point of view was in effect taken to be that of the clinician or the clinical team.An alternative model of "need decision making" is described which incorporates the perspectives of patients and relevant caregivers. The model has four stages corresponding to criteria for identifying need: (1) determining relevant areas of functioning; (2) identifying problems in these areas; (3) deciding when it is appropriate to act on a problem identified; and (4) choosing an appropriate intervention. It is argued that the discrepancies found with the MRC approach to measuring need arose because it has no explicit criteria for deciding when it is appropriate to act on a problem (stage 3). The schedule implies that at this stage the clinician must use his or her judgment, but in everyday clinical practice such judgments are normally based on the views of patients and their caregivers. Hence the problems with the MRC schedule arise directly from the original "personification error" about the concept of need.Finally, it is shown how the measurement of need can be improved by using the views of patients and their caregivers as criteria for action.