Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quasi-polynomial Hitting Sets for Circuits with Restricted Parse Trees

We study the class of non-commutative Unambiguous circuits or Unique-Parse-Tree (UPT) circuits, and a related model of Few-Parse-Trees (FewPT) circuits (which were recently introduced by Lagarde, Malod and Perifel [LMP16] and Lagarde, Limaye and Srinivasan [LLS17]) and give the following constructions: (1) An explicit hitting set of quasipolynomial size for UPT circuits, (2) An explicit hitting set of quasipolynomial size for FewPT circuits (circuits with constantly many parse tree shapes), (3) An explicit hitting set of polynomial size for UPT circuits (of known parse tree shape), when a parameter of preimage-width is bounded by a constant. The above three results are extensions of the results of [AGKS15], [GKST15] and [GKS16] to the setting of UPT circuits, and hence also generalize their results in the commutative world from read-once oblivious algebraic branching programs (ROABPs) to UPT-set-multilinear circuits. The main idea is to study shufflings of non-commutative polynomials, which can then be used to prove suitable depth reduction results for UPT circuits and thereby allow a careful translation of the ideas in [AGKS15], [GKST15] and [GKS16].
Guanylyl cyclase C suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis by restricting proliferation and maintaining genomic integrity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The most commonly lost gene products in colorectal carcinogenesis include guanylin and uroguanylin, endogenous ligands for guanylyl cyclase C (GCC). Beyond intestinal fluid balance, GCC mediates diarrhea induced by bacterial enterotoxins, and an inverse relationship exists between enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infections producing the exogenous GCC ligand ST and colorectal cancer worldwide. However, the role of GCC in neoplasia remains obscure. METHODS Intestinal tumorigenesis was examined in wild-type (Gcc(+/+)) and GCC-deficient (Gcc(-/-)) mice carrying mutations in Apc (Apc(Min/+)) or exposed to the carcinogen azoxymethane. Markers of DNA damage, loss of Apc heterozygosity, and beta-catenin mutations were used to assess genomic integrity. Hyperproliferation was explored using Ki67 and cell cycle markers. Apoptosis was quantified by transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling analysis. RESULTS In colons of Apc(Min/+) mice, deletion of Gcc increased tumor incidence and multiplicity, reflecting uncoupling of loss of genomic integrity and compensatory apoptosis. Conversely, in the small intestine, elimination of Gcc increased tumorigenesis by enhancing proliferation without altering genomic integrity. Moreover, these distinct but mutually reinforcing mechanisms collaborate in azoxymethane-exposed mice, and deletion of Gcc increased tumor initiation and growth associated with hypermutation and hyperproliferation, respectively, in conjunction with attenuated apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS GCC suppresses tumor initiation and growth by maintaining genomic integrity and restricting proliferation. This previously unrecognized role of GCC in inhibiting tumorigenesis, together with the invariant disruption in guanylin and uroguanylin expression early in carcinogenesis, and the uniform over-expression of GCC by tumors, underscores the potential of oral administration of GCC ligands for targeted prevention and therapy of colorectal cancer.
Learning the Kernel Combination for Object Categorization

Although Support Vector Machines(SVM) succeed in classifying several image databases using image descriptors proposed in the literature, no single descriptor can be optimal for general object categorization. This paper describes a novel framework to learn the optimal combination of kernels corresponding to multiple image descriptors before SVM training, leading to solve a quadratic programming problem efficiently. Our framework takes into account the variation of kernel matrix and imbalanced dataset, which are common in real world image categorization tasks. Experimental results on Graz-01 and Caltech-101 image databases show the effectiveness and robustness of our algorithm.
Natural Gradient Policy for Average Cost SMDP Problem

Semi-markov decision processes (SMDP) are continuous time generalizations of discrete time Markov Decision Process. A number of value and policy iteration algorithms have been developed for the solution of SMDP problem. But solving SMDP problem requires prior knowledge of the deterministic kernels, and suffers from the curse of dimensionality. In this paper, we present the steepest descent direction based on a family of parameterized policies to overcome those limitations. The update rule is based on stochastic policy gradients employing Amari's natural gradient approach that is moving toward choosing a greedy optimal action. We then show considerable performance improvements of this method in the simple two-state SMDP problem and in the more complex SMDP of call admission control problem.
Perspective on Industry Viability: The Case of Venture Capital in Australia

The paper aims to evaluate the viability of the Australian venture capital industry using a system approach and life-path assessment of multiple data sources, academic literature and public documents. Like any other system, the venture capital industry has a unique life path and viability issues. The Australian venture capitalists have adopted a number of established financing practices from international experiences, especially from the US, while dealing with internal market forces, institutional arrangements and policy regimes. We evaluate the factors which can help the system to survive and sustain vis-a-vis the ones which can disrupt and diminish its lifespan. Two interconnected aspects of industry viability are considered. The first aspect relates to continuity of core industry activities, such as fund raising and investing in promising early stage technology ventures. The second aspect is about the industry’s ability to deal with the growing stakeholders’ demand for environmental, social and governance aspects in investment decisions. We evaluate industry practices, institutional arrangements and the role of stakeholders to assess viability issues, objectives and strategies.
Assessment of urea removal in haemodialysis and the impact of the European Best Practice Guidelines.

BACKGROUND Dialysis adequacy, assessed by urea kinetics, is an important determinant of patient outcome, and is therefore an important clinical performance indicator. In this perspective, renal registry data may be useful to compare practices across countries. To serve that purpose available data should be comparable and preferably collected using a standardized procedure. The aim of this study, initiated by the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplantation Association (ERA-EDTA) QUality European STudies (QUEST) initiative, was to make an inventory of the different methods used to determine urea kinetic measurements in the light of the European Best Practice Guidelines. METHODS Via their national and regional registries, European haemodialysis centres were invited to complete a questionnaire regarding their practice of measuring dialysis adequacy. RESULTS Fourteen regional or national registries among 51 sent back 255 questionnaires. Great variability in the methodology to assess Kt/V was observed. The urea reduction ratio (URR) was used alone by 37% (in association 46%) of dialysis centres, spKt/V by 25% (35%) and on-line clearance by 4% (12%), whereas only 10% (13%) used eKt/V, as recommended by EBPG. Forty percent of centres measured urea removal less than once a month, 6% of which never measured urea removal and 9% only every 6 months or less frequently. CONCLUSION Despite the fact that the use of URR is not recommended by EBPG, it was the most commonly used indicator to measure urea removal, whereas eKt/V was only used by a small minority of centres. This study allowed us to point out the need to standardize definitions and procedures and to develop an effective plan for implementation of the guidelines.
Multiple Outcome Supervised Latent Dirichlet Allocation for Expert Discovery in Online Forums

This paper presents a supervised bayesian approach to model expertise in online forums with application to question routing. The proposed method extends the well-known sLDA model to the multi-task case, accounting for a supervised stage with multiple outputs per document corresponding to the users of the system. A study of the characteristics of real world data revealed a number of challenges in the practical application of this model, relevant to the research community.
Scaling of Physical Constraints at the Root-Soil Interface to Macroscopic Patterns of Nutrient Retention in Ecosystems

Nutrient limitation in terrestrial ecosystems is often accompanied with maintaining a nearly closed vegetation-soil nutrient cycle. The ability to retain nutrients in an ecosystem requires the capacity of the plant-soil system to draw down nutrient levels in soils effectually such that export concentrations in soil solutions remain low. Here we address the physical constraints of plant nutrient uptake that may be limited by the diffusive movement of nutrients in soils, by the uptake at the root/mycorrhizal surface, and from interactions with soil water flow. We derive an analytical framework of soil nutrient transport and uptake and predict levels of plant available nutrient concentration and residence time. Our results, which we evaluate for nitrogen, show that the physical environment permits plants to lower soil solute concentration substantially. Our analysis confirms that plant uptake capacities in soils are considerable, such that water movement in soils is generally too small to significantly erode dissolved plant-available nitrogen. Inorganic nitrogen concentrations in headwater streams are congruent with the prediction of our theoretical framework. Our framework offers a physical-based parameterization of nutrient uptake in ecosystem models and has the potential to serve as an important tool toward scaling biogeochemical cycles from individual roots to landscapes.
Estimates of diagnostic reference levels for pediatric peripheral and abdominal fluoroscopically guided procedures.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to survey radiation dose indexes of pediatric peripheral and abdominal fluoroscopically guided procedures from which estimates of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) can be proposed for both a standard fluoroscope and a novel fluoroscope with advanced image processing and lower radiation dose rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Radiation dose structured reports were retrospectively collected for 408 clinical pediatric cases: Half of the procedures were performed with a standard imaging technology and half with a novel x-ray technology. Dose-area product (DAP), air Kerma (AK), fluoroscopy time, number of digital subtraction angiography images, and patient mass were collected to calculate and normalize radiation dose indexes for procedures completed with the standard and novel fluoroscopes. RESULTS The study population was composed of 180 and 175 patients who underwent procedures with the standard and novel technology, respectively. The 21 different types of pediatric peripheral and abdominal interventional procedures produced 408 total studies. Median ages, mass and body mass index, fluoroscopy time per procedure, and total number of recorded images for the standard and novel technologies were not statistically different. The area of the x-ray beams was square at the level of the patient with a dimension of 10-13 cm. The dose reduction achieved with the novel fluoroscope ranged from 18% to 51% of the dose required with the standard fluoroscope. The median DAP and AK patient dose indexes were 0.38 Gy · cm(2) and 4.00 mGy, respectively, for the novel fluoroscope. CONCLUSION Estimates of dose indexes of pediatric peripheral and abdominal fluoroscopically guided, clinical procedures should assist in the development of DRLs to foster management of radiation doses of pediatric patients.
Inhibitory effects of uraemic toxins 3‐indoxyl sulfate and p‐cresol on losartan metabolism in vitro

Objectives The purpose of this study was to clarify the cause of decreased metabolic clearance of losartan in patients with end‐stage renal failure. The influence of serum from haemodialysis patients (uraemic serum) and uraemic toxins on the metabolism of losartan to EXP‐3174 was investigated in vitro.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF E-LEARNING AND THE IMPACT OF CULTURE: EARLY FINDINGS

An electrolytic cell and electrolytic process wherein the cell includes a metal anode, such as a lithium anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. The surface of the anode is treated with a substantially non-continuous electronically conductive particulate coating, wherein the particulate may consist of carbon. This non-continuously applied particulate coating not only provokes the formation of a stable passivating layer (toward suppression of dendritic growth), but it also serves to lower and substantially sustain interfacial resistance at the surface of the anode during the life of the cell.
Monetary Policy, Forex Markets and Feedback Under Uncertainity in an Opening Economy

Options for monetary policy arising from interactions between it and Indian foreign exchange (FX) markets. A brief survey covers recent rapid changes providing a snapshot of current microstructure, and of monetary policy institutions. The survey brings out the growing links between money and FX markets, the sophistication and variety of participants and institutions in markets that are now deep and liquid, and policy trilemmas in dealing with large cross border flows in a rapidly growing emerging market, where fundamentals are uncertain. [DRG Study Series No. 32].
Environmental Accounting and Reporting Practices: Significance and Issues: A Case from Bangladeshi Companies

The present study entitling â€œEnvironmental Accounting and Reporting Practices: Significance and Issues: A Case from Bangladeshi Companiesâ€ is based on both the primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected from the total number of 40 Chief Accountants and Senior Accountants, taking one from each company. The secondary data were collected from the Annual Reports-2010 of the companies. The main findings of the study are: i) the respondents have felt the strong need for EA (Environmental Accounting) and ER (Environmental Reporting) in their Annual Reports, ii) the respondents have also been aware for EA and ER practices, iii) as regards of nature of environmental disclosure, it is observed that only qualitative disclosures in positive sense have been provided in the Annual Reports either in Chairman or Managing Director statement, Directorsâ€™ reports and a separate section â€œEnvironmental Complianceâ€, iv) Environmental disclosures in the form of xpenditure in energy, waste management, safety related measure and environment protection presented in their Annual Reports were not remarkable in the sample companies excepting expenditure in energy, v) the respondents have identified some major problems involved in EAR( Environmental Accounting and Reporting) practices as shown table -5 and also have suggested some measures as presented in table -6. From the above discussions, it is clear that EAR practices in the selected companies have been far from satisfactory and hence poor in real sense of the term. Therefore, in order to improve the EAR practices in the selected companies, the proper authority need to implement the suggestions put forward by the respondents without any further delay.
Web-based real time content processing and monitoring service for digital TV broadcast

In this paper, we describe a real time content processing and monitoring service for digital TV broadcast. Broadcast monitoring has a wide range of applications, including tracking advertisement air time, detecting inconsistency in electronic program guide, enabling personalized alerting services, maintaining the Quality of Service, etc. Our TV content processing and monitoring system has a modular design, where various real time multimedia content analysis components can be plugged in flexibly. As a proof of concept, we incorporated the following processing modules in the prototype: automatic speech recognition, closed caption extraction, text normalization, keyword extraction, shot boundary detection, face detection and recognition, and near duplicate keyframe detection. These processing components detect a rich set of metadata information, which is collected by the video monitoring server. On a web interface, users can tune to different digital TV channels or pre-recorded video content, and monitor the extracted metadata information as well as watch the video itself.
Adipofascial Turn‐over Flap Based on Perforators of the Dorsalis Pedis for Resurfacing Forefoot Defects: An Anatomic and Clinical Approach

&NA; The aim of this study is to stress the possibility of harvesting a more sizable adipofascial turn‐over flap based on the perforators of the dorsalis pedis artery than previously described. This flap can resurface the most distal dorsal defects of the forefoot, and the posttraumatic distal amputation of the forefoot, as a new indication. A detailed anatomic dissection of the flap was carried out on 12 fresh lower extremities together with injection study to determine flap pedicle location, flap dimensions, and its area of reach in the distal forefoot. The anatomic findings encouraged the author to elevate an adipofascial turn‐over flap based on the perforators of the dorsalis pedis artery, where the largest flap size was 13×7 cm, and the base area to flap area ratio ranged from 1:3.5 to 1:6.5. An experience with 11 flaps was quite successful on eight patients with severe crushing and avulsion injuries of the forefoot and on three patients with unstable and ulcerating distal grafted amputated stumps secondary to trauma. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 102: 393, 1998.)
Advanced Space-Time Analysis: Constructing a Real Estate Price Index

Real estate data exhibit autocorrelation and heterogeneity across both space and time. The literature is beginning to advance methods that account for the four components. This article accordingly introduces the Bayesian Maximum Entropy (BME) method to real estate analysis. In addition to controlling for spatiotemporal autocorrelation and heterogeneity, BME allows for probabilistic and missing data and does not require a known distribution as assumed by linear and log-likelihood techniques. We apply BME to a dataset of house prices, which illustrates the use of the technique for developing a price index on a small geographical area. JEL Classification: C33, R12, R32
Frontotemporal Dementia Caregivers and Researchers

This study utilized a community-based, participatory research model between the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) and the Education Core of the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center. A total of 30 caregivers of persons with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) participated in 6 focus groups in 3 cities. The majority of participants were spouses of the person with FTD and had been providing care for an average of 6 years. Transcript analysis revealed 7 prominent themes: willingness to participate, when/how the issue of brain donation is raised, who initiates discussion about brain donation, who is involved in decisions about brain donation, motivation for participating in brain donation, lack of effective communication, and barriers to research participation. Caregivers demonstrated a strong desire to participate in research and contribute to advancing knowledge. The lack of effective communication between the clinicians and caregivers was a barrier to developing positive rapport, detrimentally impacting research participation.
The Differentiated Workforce: Transforming Talent into Strategic Impact

Do you think of your company's talent as an investment to be managed like a portfolio? You should, according to authors Becker, Huselid, and Beatty, if you're interested in strategy execution. Many companies fall into the trap of spending too much time and money on low performers, while high performers aren't getting the necessary resources, development opportunities, or rewards. In The Differentiated Workforce, the authors expand on their previous books, The HR Scorecard and The Workforce Scorecard, and recommend that you manage your workforce like a portfolio - with disproportionate investments in the jobs that create the most wealth. You'll learn to: Rise above talent management "best practice" and instead create a differentiated workforce that can't be easily copied by competitors Differentiate those capabilities in your company that are truly strategic Identify your wealth-creating "A" positions Create a new relationship between HR and line managers, and articulate the role each plays in a differentiated workforce strategy Develop the right measures for your organization Based on two decades of academic research and experience working with hundreds of executives, The Differentiated Workforce gives you the tools to translate your talent into strategic impact.
Is Mutation Analysis Effective at Testing Android Apps?

Not only is Android the most widely used mobile operating system, more apps have been released and downloaded for Android than for any other OS. However, quality is an ongoing problem, with many apps being released with faults, sometimes serious faults. Because the structure of mobile app software differs from other types of software, testing is difficult and traditional methods do not work. Thus we need different approaches to test mobile apps. In this paper, we identify challenges in testing Android apps, and categorize common faults according to fault studies. Then, we present a way to apply mutation testing to Android apps. Additionally, this paper presents results from two empirical studies on fault detection effectiveness using open-source Android applications: one for Android mutation testing, and another for four existing Android testing techniques. The studies use naturally occurring faults as well as crowdsourced faults introduced by experienced Android developers. Our results indicate that Android mutation testing is effective at detecting faults.
Molecular epidemiology of human rotaviruses in Melbourne, Australia, from 1973 to 1979, as determined by electrophoresis of genome ribonucleic acid

Rotaviruses contain a double-stranded ribonucleic acid genome consisting of 11 segments. Gel electrophoresis separates genome segments and allows identification of strain differences. This electrophoretic typing technique was applied to rotavirus specimens from 116 children and 72 newborn babies. Between 1973 and 1979, 17 different electropherotypes of rotavirus were observed in children with acute gastroenteritis. These electropherotypes showed a sequential pattern of appearance, with a limited number of electropherotypes present at any given time. By contrast, only two electropherotypes were identified from isolates from newborn babies in seven hospitals during 1975 to 1979. These two electropherotypes were very similar and were never identified in children with acute gastroenteritis. One of the neonatal electropherotypes was found in the nurseries of five different hospitals and persisted in one hospital for 4 years. Electrophoretic typing techniques can be applied routinely and reproducibly to small samples of feces and could prove to be of value in epidemiological studies of rotavirus infection