Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Handling Missing Values via a Neural Selective Input Model

Missing data represent an ubiquitous problem with numerous and diverse causes. Handling Missing Values (MVs) properly is a crucial issue, in particular in Machine Learning (ML) and pattern recognition. To date, the only option available for standard Neural Networks (NNs) to handle this problem has been to rely on pre-processing techniques such as imputation for estimating the missing data values, which limited considerably the scope of their application. To circumvent this limitation we propose a Neural Selective Input Model (NSIM) that accommodates different transparent and bound models, while providing support for NNs to handle MVs directly. By embedding the mechanisms to support MVs we can obtain better models that reflect the uncertainty caused by unknown values. Experiments on several UCI datasets with both different distributions and proportion of MVs show that the NSIM approach is very robust and yields good to excellent results. Furthermore, the NSIM performs better than the state-of-theart imputation techniques either with higher prevalence of MVs in a large number of features or with a significant proportion of MVs, while delivering competitive performance in the remaining cases. We demonstrate the usefulness and validity of the NSIM, making this a first-class method for dealing with this problem.
Electron density imaging of protein films on gold-particle surfaces with transmission electron microscopy.

BACKGROUND Surface bound proteins on colloid particles are widely used in biotechnological applications such as diagnostics or separation. Analysis of colloid surfaces by imaging methods provides information on the structure of these protein films, and an understanding of the functional relationships of biomolecules immobilised on solid surfaces. METHODS In order to visualise protein molecules organised in films on surfaces of nano-sized gold-particles, an electron-microscopic approach based on the scattering absorption contrast of the specimen was applied. RESULTS Analysing protein conjugated gold particles with a transmission electron microscope, protein films on gold particle surfaces cause a significant scattering absorption contrast based on the materials' electron density. Thus, the thickness of such films becomes directly measurable in planar projection and the shape of these films are visualised without negative staining methods. The insertion of Ruthenium-labelled antibodies instead of non-labelled antibodies as a marker with increased electron-density in these films yields a contrast enhancement of the whole film. Additional labelling with anti-Mouse IgG Gold conjugates localises the position of the surface bound antibodies in such protein films. CONCLUSIONS The power of transmission electron microscopy to resolve protein-films on colloid surfaces without staining or labelling as a sample preparation procedure has been demonstrated. Thus, this direct method provides an analytical tool for studying protein films and their structural features on particle surfaces.
Development of Nephrolithiasis in Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Although the association between gout and nephrolithiasis is well known, the relationship between asymptomatic hyperuricemia and the development of nephrolithiasis is largely unknown. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 239,331 Korean adults who underwent a health checkup examination during January 2002 to December 2014 and were followed up annually or biennially through December 2014. PREDICTOR Baseline serum uric acid levels of participants. OUTCOME The development of nephrolithiasis during follow-up. MEASUREMENTS Nephrolithiasis is determined based on ultrasonographic findings. A parametric Cox model was used to estimate the adjusted HRs of nephrolithiasis according to serum uric acid level. RESULTS During 1,184,653.8 person-years of follow-up, 18,777 participants developed nephrolithiasis (incidence rate, 1.6/100 person-years). Elevated uric acid level was significantly associated with increased risk for nephrolithiasis in a dose-response manner (P for trend < 0.001) in men. This dose-response association was not observed in women. In male participants, multivariable-adjusted HRs for incident nephrolithiasis comparing uric acid levels of 6.0 to 6.9, 7.0 to 7.9, 8.0 to 8.9, 9.0 to 9.9, and ≥10.0mg/dL with uric acid levels < 6.0mg/dL were 1.06 (95% CI, 1.02-1.11), 1.11 (95% CI, 1.05-1.16), 1.21 (95% CI, 1.13-1.29), 1.31 (95% CI, 1.17-1.46), and 1.72 (95% CI, 1.44-2.06), respectively. This association was observed in all clinically relevant subgroups and persisted even after adjustment for homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level. LIMITATIONS Dietary information and computed tomographic diagnosis of nephrolithiasis were unavailable. CONCLUSIONS In this large cohort study, increased serum uric acid level was modestly and independently associated with increased risk for the development of nephrolithiasis in a dose-response manner in apparently healthy men.
The Connection between Data Mining andSegmentation in Marketing Area

Marketing decisions are sometimes based on intuitive decision making and process is inclusive of marketing people’s judgmental calls. By segmenting markets marketers can better understand their customers and target them in efficient and effective manner. Segmentation provides the foundation to address strategic decision making. Data mining converts data into knowledgeable and actionable information. Data mining can be used to forecast and model the future by making past data. Thus, data mining can be used to create data-driven behavioural segments. For marketers both segmentation and data mining is important and needed. It is necessary to understand the connection between data mining and segmentation in marketing. This study unfolds the inter linkages of data mining and segmentation terms in marketing.
Follow-up care, surveillance protocol, and secondary prevention measures for survivors of colorectal cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline endorsement.

PURPOSE The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has a policy and set of procedures for endorsing recent clinical practice guidelines that have been developed by other professional organizations. METHODS The Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) Guideline on Follow-up Care, Surveillance Protocol, and Secondary Prevention Measures for Survivors of Colorectal Cancer was reviewed by ASCO for methodologic rigor and considered for endorsement. RESULTS The ASCO Panel concurred with the CCO recommendations and recommended endorsement, with the addition of several qualifying statements. CONCLUSION Surveillance should be guided by presumed risk of recurrence and functional status of the patient (important within the first 2 to 4 years). Medical history, physical examination, and carcinoembryonic antigen testing should be performed every 3 to 6 months for 5 years. Patients at higher risk of recurrence should be considered for testing in the more frequent end of the range. A computed tomography scan (abdominal and chest) is recommended annually for 3 years, in most cases. Positron emission tomography scans should not be used for surveillance outside of a clinical trial. A surveillance colonoscopy should be performed 1 year after the initial surgery and then every 5 years, dictated by the findings of the previous one. If a colonoscopy was not preformed before diagnosis, it should be done after completion of adjuvant therapy (before 1 year). Secondary prevention (maintaining a healthy body weight and active lifestyle) is recommended. If a patient is not a candidate for surgery or systemic therapy because of severe comorbid conditions, surveillance tests should not be performed. A treatment plan from the specialist should have clear directions on appropriate follow-up by a nonspecialist.
IM/DD-Based 112-Gb/s/lambda PAM-4 Transmission Using 18-Gbps DML

Single-channel 112-Gb/s PAM-4 transmission based on low-cost intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) optics is experimentally demonstrated over 1-km standard single-mode fiber. By employing a digital precompensation, duobinary encode/decoding with PAM-4 signal and 7-level training-sequence-aided least mean square (TS-LMS) algorithm, we successfully achieve a receiver sensitivity of about -2 dBm with 7% overhead HD-FEC. Chirp management is applied at the transmitter side to extend the reach to 1 km for transmission at 1500 nm. This is the first demonstration, to the best of our knowledge, that 112-Gb/s PAM-4 modulation is achieved using only a 18-GHz (3-dB-bandwidth) commercial directly modulated laser. The method proposed in this paper is both bandwidth and computationally efficient, which is thought to be feasible in the low-cost short-reach optical applications.
Characterization of Crystallographic Structures Using Bragg-Edge Neutron Imaging at the Spallation Neutron Source

Over the past decade, wavelength-dependent neutron radiography, also known as Bragg-edge imaging, has been employed as a non-destructive bulk characterization method due to its sensitivity to coherent elastic neutron scattering that is associated with crystalline structures. Several analysis approaches have been developed to quantitatively determine crystalline orientation, lattice strain, and phase distribution. In this study, we report a systematic investigation of the crystal structures of metallic materials (such as selected textureless powder samples and additively manufactured (AM) Inconel 718 samples), using Bragg-edge imaging at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). Firstly, we have implemented a phenomenological Gaussian-based fitting in a Python-based computer called iBeatles. Secondly, we have developed a model-based approach to analyze Bragg-edge transmission spectra, which allows quantitative determination of the crystallographic attributes. Moreover, neutron diffraction measurements were carried out to validate the Bragg-edge analytical methods. These results demonstrate that the microstructural complexity (in this case, texture) plays a key role in determining the crystallographic parameters (lattice constant or interplanar spacing), which implies that the Bragg-edge image analysis methods must be carefully selected based on the material structures.
Apolipoprotein A 5 polymorphisms and risk of coronary artery disease : A meta-analysis

1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, and State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; 2 State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; 3 Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; 4 Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Medicine, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Crystal Structural Studies of Changes in the Native Dinuclear Iron Center of Ribonucleotide Reductase Protein R2 from Mouse*

Class I ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyzes the de novo synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides in mammals and many other organisms. The RNR subunit R2 contains a dinuclear iron center, which in its diferrous form spontaneously reacts with O2, forming a μ-oxo-bridged diferric cluster and a stable tyrosyl radical. Here, we present the first crystal structures of R2 from mouse with its native dinuclear iron center, both under reducing and oxidizing conditions. In one structure obtained under reducing conditions, the iron-bridging ligand Glu-267 adopts the μ-(η1,η2) coordination mode, which has previously been related to O2 activation, and an acetate ion from the soaking solution is observed where O2 has been proposed to bind the iron. The structure of mouse R2 under oxidizing conditions resembles the nonradical diferric R2 from Escherichia coli, with the exception of the coordination of water and Asp-139 to Fe1. There are also additional water molecules near the tyrosyl radical site, as suggested by previous spectroscopic studies. Since no crystal structure of the active radical form has been reported, we propose models for the movement of waters and/or tyrosyl radical site when diferric R2 is oxidized to the radical form, in agreement with our previous ENDOR study. Compared with E. coli R2, two conserved phenylalanine residues in the hydrophobic environment around the diiron center have opposing rotameric conformations, and the carboxylate ligands of the diiron center in mouse R2 appear more flexible. Together, this might contribute to the lower affinity and cooperative binding of iron in mouse R2.
Polyceraty (multi-horns) in Damara sheep maps to ovine chromosome 2.

Polyceraty (presence of multiple horns) is rare in modern day ungulates. Although not found in wild sheep, polyceraty does occur in a small number of domestic sheep breeds covering a wide geographical region. Damara are fat-tailed hair sheep, from the south-western region of Africa, which display polyceraty, with horn number ranging from zero to four. We conducted a genome-wide association study for horn number with 43 Damara genotyped with 606 006 SNP markers. The analysis revealed a region with multiple significant SNPs on ovine chromosome 2, in a location different from the mutation for polled in sheep on chromosome 10. The causal mutation for polyceraty was not identified; however, the region associated with polyceraty spans nine HOXD genes, which are critical in embryonic development of appendages. Mutations in HOXD genes are implicated in polydactly phenotypes in mice and humans. There was no evidence for epistatic interactions contributing to polyceraty. This is the first report on the genetic mechanisms underlying polyceraty in the under-studied Damara.
Natural Language Inference , Sentence representation and Attention Mechanism

A characteristic of natural language is that there are many different ways to express a statement: several meanings can be contained in a single text and the same meaning can be conveyed by different texts. Understanding entailment becomes cruvial to understanding natural language. Natural language inference constitutes an effective way to evaluate machine reading algorithms. It is an interesting problem as it reflects our ability to extract and represent the meaning at a sentence level, and it takes into account several characteristics of natural language such as scope, syntactic structure, lexical ambiguity, semantic compositionality.
μ-Opioid Receptor-Mediated Depression of the Hypothalamic Hypocretin/Orexin Arousal System

Arousal and maintenance of a wake state is dependent on the hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin system. We found that hypocretin neurons are depressed by opiates, drugs of abuse that reduce cognitive alertness. Met-enkephalin (mENK), an endogenous opioid, and exogenous opiates such as morphine inhibited the hypocretin system by direct actions on the cell body that include reduced spike frequency, hyperpolarization, increased G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channel current, and attenuated calcium current, and indirectly through reducing excitatory synaptic tone by a presynaptic mechanism. CTAP (H-d-Phe-Cys-Tyr-d-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2) and naloxone, antagonists of μ-opioid receptors, blocked μ agonist actions. In the absence of exogenous opioids, μ receptor antagonists enhanced activity of the hypocretin system, suggesting ongoing inhibition by endogenous receptors. Morphine pretreatment attenuated subsequent excitatory responses to hypocretin, suggesting a long-lasting depression caused by opiate exposure. Chronic exposure to morphine reduced subsequent responses to morphine and to mENK, but increased the response to opioid receptor antagonists. Together, these data are consistent with the view that the hypocretin system may be an important direct target for drugs of abuse, including opiates, that induce sedation and mental lethargy.
Using Performance Measurement to drive Continuous Improvement

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Perforator Infarction after Placement of a Pipeline Flow-Diverting Stent for an Unruptured A1 Aneurysm

Flow-diverting stents such as the Pipeline embolization device (PED; ev3, Irvine, California) or Silk (Balt, Montmorency, France) were recently introduced in clinical practice for the treatment of fusiform and wide-neck intracranial aneurysms. These stents are designed to divert the flow in the parent artery, with reduction of inflow in the aneurysm leading to thrombosis. The devices have 30%–35% metal surface-area coverage (as opposed to approximately 10% for conventional intracranial stents) to promote flow diversion and, at the same time, to keep open branch vessels and perforating arteries that are crossedbythedevice.Althoughthese2requiredpropertiesseemcontradictory, the first clinical results are promising in terms of both effectiveness and safety. 1 Recently, we treated a 68-year-old woman with an incidentally discovered large dumbbell aneurysm located on the left A1 segment (Fig 1A ,- B) with a PED. Because the first PED that was placed shortened more than we expected, it did not completely cover the neck of the aneurysm, and a second PED was placed telescopically with overlap on the aneurysm neck only and with some protrusion in the middle cerebral artery (Fig 1C). Immediately after the procedure, the patient appeared apathetic and hemiparetic on the right side. MR diffusion imaging showed infarction in the left basal ganglia in the territories of the lenticulostriate arteries arising from the A1 segment
Impacts of the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution and KPg Extinction on Mammal Diversification

Molecular phylogenetic analysis, calibrated with fossils, resolves the time frame of the mammalian radiation. Previous analyses of relations, divergence times, and diversification patterns among extant mammalian families have relied on supertree methods and local molecular clocks. We constructed a molecular supermatrix for mammalian families and analyzed these data with likelihood-based methods and relaxed molecular clocks. Phylogenetic analyses resulted in a robust phylogeny with better resolution than phylogenies from supertree methods. Relaxed clock analyses support the long-fuse model of diversification and highlight the importance of including multiple fossil calibrations that are spread across the tree. Molecular time trees and diversification analyses suggest important roles for the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution and Cretaceous-Paleogene (KPg) mass extinction in opening up ecospace that promoted interordinal and intraordinal diversification, respectively. By contrast, diversification analyses provide no support for the hypothesis concerning the delayed rise of present-day mammals during the Eocene Period.
Time-Scale Modeling of Wind-Integrated Power Systems

This paper describes time-scale separation properties of dynamic models of wind-integrated power systems. We first derive a mathematical model for the dynamics of a power network consisting of synchronous generators, loads and a wind power plant modeled by a wind turbine and a controlled doubly-fed induction generator. We then aggregate this system into multiple coherent areas, and apply a linear transformation to represent the model in terms of slow and fast states. Using this transformed system we show that the ratio of the time constant associated with the swing states to that of the wind plant can be used to characterize conditions under which the slow time-scale of the power system changes with increasing wind penetration. We further demonstrate that these modal responses depend on the relative locations of the synchronous generators, the loads and the wind generator in the power system. We illustrate these observations through simulations of a two-area 8-bus power system and a five-area 68-bus power system.
The effects of board competence on operational innovation: tests of universal, contingency and configurational models

Although the nature and extent of agency conflicts have been extensively addressed in terms of their performance implications for firms, the impact of board effectiveness on firm risk-taking behaviour remains largely unexamined. This study uses managerial risk taking as a lens to examine the efficacy of board competence for operational innovation in a sample of 201 Taiwanese firms. Furthermore, it extends the governanceinnovation relationship to the contingency and configurational perspectives and thereby shows how board competence, in concert with technological opportunity and/or a low-cost posture, codetermines the firm's operational novelty. The results reinforce the critical role of board competence in operational innovation and suggest the governance conditions that give rise to more corporate risk preparedness.
Deep brain stimulation for movement disorders: 2015 and beyond.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review was to review the recent and future developments of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders. RECENT FINDINGS In the last 2 years, we have gained a better understanding of established indications, particularly with respect to the debate on whether subthalamus or globus pallidus pars interna should be the target of choice for Parkinson's disease. In addition, the role of DBS for dystonia has been further defined in terms of patients' selection and outcome of surgery. Other established (e.g. essential tremor) and novel indications (e.g. Tourette syndrome) have been addressed. Along with the evolving knowledge of the clinical aspects of DBS, technological advances are also shaping the present and the future of DBS. New implantable pulse generators (e.g. allowing storage of electrophysiological data and eventual adaptive stimulation) as well as new electrode configurations are now available. Furthermore, high-resolution structural imaging, including high-field MRI and diffusion tensor tractography, will facilitate both the planning of DBS procedures, and the optimization of postoperative outcomes by aiding stimulation programming. SUMMARY The recent successes of DBS along the clinical and technological directions are changing the current practice of neuromodulation and, more importantly, will also drive future developments of this fascinating treatment.