Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global Similarity in Social Networks with Typed Edges

Most real-world social network analysis treats edges (relationships) as having different intensities (weights), but the same qualitative properties. We address the problem of modelling edges of qualitatively different types that nevertheless interact with one another. For example, influence flows along friend and colleagues edges differently, but treating the two sets of different kinds of edges as independent graphs surely misses interesting and useful structure. We model the sub graph corresponding to each edge type as a layer, and show how to weight the edges connecting the layers to produce a consistent spectral embedding, including for directed graphs. This embedding can be used to compute social network properties of the combined graph, to predict edges, and to predict edge types. We illustrate with Padgett's dataset of Florentine families in the 15th Century.
Measuring Algebraic Complexity of Text Understanding Based on Human Concept Learning

This paper advocates for a novel approach to recommend texts at various levels of difficulties based on a proposed method, the algebraic complexity of texts (ACT). Different from traditional complexity measures that mainly focus on surface features like the numbers of syllables per word, characters per word, or words per sentence, ACT draws from the perspective of human concept learning, which can reflect the complex semantic relations inside texts. To cope with the high cost of measuring ACT, the Degree-2 Hypothesis of ACT is proposed to reduce the measurement from unrestricted dimensions to three dimensions. Based on the principle of “mental anchor,” an extension of ACT and its general edition [denoted as extension of text algebraic complexity (EACT) and general extension of text algebraic complexity (GEACT)] are developed, which take keywords' and association rules' complexities into account. Finally, using the scores given by humans as a benchmark, we compare our proposed methods with linguistic models. The experimental results show the order GEACT>EACT>ACT> Linguistic models, which means GEACT performs the best, while linguistic models perform the worst. Additionally, GEACT with lower convex functions has the best ability in measuring the algebraic complexities of text understanding. It may also indicate that the human complexity curve tends to be a curve like lower convex function rather than linear functions.
Errors in determinstic wireless fingerprinting systems for localisation

Fingerprinting is a technique that records vectors of received power from several transmitters, and later matches these to a new measurement to position the new user. This paper examines data used in earlier fingerprinting experiments in a WiFi network to characterize the eventual positioning errors. The implied relationship between real distance and ldquovectorrdquo distance between fingerprints is tested and found to be poor. However, because fingerprinting algorithms use nearest neighbour techniques, these nearby fingerprints were examined and found to be better behaved.
A randomized trial for hazardous drinking and smoking cessation for callers to a quitline.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated whether tobacco quitline telephone coaches can be trained to counsel hazardous-drinking smokers to improve smoking cessation success and to limit or abstain from alcohol use. METHOD Smokers (N = 1,948) who called the New York State Smokers' Quitline and reported hazardous drinking (exceeding sex-specific weekly limits [14 drinks for men, 7 drinks for women] or meeting/exceeding daily drinking limits [5 drinks for men, 4 drinks for women] at least once in the past year) were randomized to receive either brief motivational counseling to limit or abstain from alcohol plus an alcohol reduction booklet added to standard care (Alcohol + Tobacco Counseling; ATC), or only smoking cessation counseling plus a smoking cessation booklet added to standard care (Tobacco-Only Counseling; TOC). RESULTS Acceptable coach adherence was achieved. The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed that ATC was associated with a significantly higher rate of smoking abstinence at 7-month follow-up (13.5%) compared with TOC (10.3%; p = .03). The respondent analysis (ATC= 26.2%; TOC = 20.4%) paralleled the ITT findings. When controlling for treatment condition, participants who did not report any heavy drinking were significantly more likely to quit smoking than those who reported any heavy drinking (OR = 1.87, 95% CI [1.29, 2.71]; p = .001). CONCLUSIONS A brief alcohol intervention plus standard care via a telephone quitline resulted in significantly higher smoking cessation rates for hazardous-drinking callers. Given that quitline coaches were trained to provide the intervention with acceptable adherence, the potential to extend this intervention for wide-scale implementation and impact is promising.
The major antigenic protein of infectious bursal disease virus, VP2, is an apoptotic inducer

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is the causative agent of an economically important poultry disease. Vaccinia virus recombinants expressing the IBDV mature structural capsid proteins VP2 and VP3 were generated by using vectors for inducible gene expression. Characterization of these recombinant viruses demonstrated that expression of VP2 leads to induction of apoptosis in a variety of mammalian cell lines. Transfection of cell cultures with a expression vector containing the VP2 coding region under the control of the immediate-early promoter-enhancer region of human cytomegalovirus also triggers programmed cell death. The apoptotic effect of VP2 is efficiently counteracted by coexpression of the proto-oncogene bcl-2. The results presented demonstrate that VP2 is a bona fide apoptotic inducer. Evaluation of the significance of this finding for the virus life cycle must await further research.
Enhanced refrigerant capacity and magnetic entropy flattening using a two-amorphous FeZrB(Cu) composite

The temperature dependence of the isothermal magnetic entropy change, {\Delta}SM, and the magnetic field dependence of the refrigerant capacity, RC, have been investigated in a composite system xA+(1-x)B, based on Fe87Zr6B6Cu1 (A) and Fe90Zr8B2 (B) amorphous ribbons. Under a magnetic field change of 2 T the maximum improvement of the full-width at half maximum of {\Delta}SM(T) curve (47 and 29 %) and the RC (18 and 23 %), in comparison with those of the individual alloys (A and B), is observed for x \approx 0.5. Moreover, a flattening over 80 K in the {\Delta}SM(T) curve around room temperature range is observed, which is a key feature for an Ericsson magnetic refrigeration cycle.
EFFECTIVE CONTROLLER IN OPTIMIZED ASYNCHRONOUS LOGIC

Asynchronous Fine-grain power gated Logic (AFL) which includes Modified Efficient Charge Recovery Logic (M-ECRL) gates to implement the logic function of the stage with a handshake controller which comprises of C-element to handle the control signals with the neighboring stages and provides power to MECRL gate. AFL adopts an partial charge reuse (PCR) mechanism, part of the charge on the output nodes of MECRL gate which entering the discharge phase can be used to charge the output nodes of another M-ECRL gate which is more enough to complete evaluate phase, thus reducing the power consumption. To design the efficient asynchronous styles with effective controller from their available CMOS topology. Moreover, study is to scrutinize the use of different controller implementations in a single design in order to generate hybrid and optimized designs. Index terms Asynchronous circuits, logic gates, lowpower electronics, power gating.
Hypersensitivity of Ku-Deficient Cells toward the DNA Topoisomerase II Inhibitor ICRF-193 Suggests a Novel Role for Ku Antigen during the G2 and M Phases of the Cell Cycle

ABSTRACT Ku antigen is a heterodimer, comprised of 86- and 70-kDa subunits, which binds preferentially to free DNA ends. Ku is associated with a catalytic subunit of 450 kDa in the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), which plays a crucial role in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and V(D)J recombination of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes. We now demonstrate that Ku86 (86-kDa subunit)-deficient Chinese hamster cell lines are hypersensitive to ICRF-193, a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor that does not produce DSB in DNA. Mutant cells were blocked in G2 at drug doses which had no effect on wild-type cells. Moreover, bypass of this G2 block by caffeine revealed defective chromosome condensation in Ku86-deficient cells. The hypersensitivity of Ku86-deficient cells toward ICRF-193 was not due to impaired in vitro decatenation activity or altered levels of DNA topoisomerase IIα or -β. Rather, wild-type sensitivity was restored by transfection of a Ku86 expression plasmid into mutant cells. In contrast to cells deficient in the Ku86 subunit of DNA-PK, cells deficient in the catalytic subunit of the enzyme neither accumulated in G2/M nor displayed defective chromosome condensation at lower doses of ICRF-193 compared to wild-type cells. Our data suggests a novel role for Ku antigen in the G2 and M phases of the cell cycle, a role that is not related to its role in DNA-PK-dependent DNA repair.
Crystal structure of human L‐isoaspartyl‐O‐methyl‐transferase with S‐adenosyl homocysteine at 1.6‐Å resolution and modeling of an isoaspartyl‐containing peptide at the active site

Spontaneous formation of isoaspartyl residues (isoAsp) disrupts the structure and function of many normal proteins. Protein isoaspartyl methyltransferase (PIMT) reverts many isoAsp residues to aspartate as a protein repair process. We have determined the crystal structure of human protein isoaspartyl methyltransferase (HPIMT) complexed with adenosyl homocysteine (AdoHcy) to 1.6‐Å resolution. The core structure has a nucleotide binding domain motif, which is structurally homologous with the N‐terminal domain of the bacterial Thermotoga maritima PIMT. Highly conserved residues in PIMTs among different phyla are placed at positions critical to AdoHcy binding and orienting the isoAsp residue substrate for methylation. The AdoHcy is completely enclosed within the HPIMT and a conformational change must occur to allow exchange with adenosyl methionine (AdoMet). An ordered sequential enzyme mechanism is supported because C‐terminal residues involved with AdoHcy binding also form the isoAsp peptide binding site, and a change of conformation to allow AdoHcy to escape would preclude peptide binding. Modeling experiments indicated isoAsp groups observed in some known protein crystal structures could bind to the HPIMT active site.
Simplex-based dimension estimation of topological manifolds

Dimension reduction is one of the most important issues in machine learning and computational intelligence. Typical data sets are point clouds in a high dimensional space with a hidden structure to be found in low dimensional submanifolds. Finding this intrinsic manifold structure is very important in the understanding of the data and for reducing computational complexity. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for dimension estimation of topological manifolds based on measures of simplices. We also investigate the effects of resolution changes for dimension estimation in the framework of Morse theory. The result is a method that can be used for data located in simplical complexes of varying dimensions and with no continuous or differentiable structure. The proposed method is applied to images of handwritten digits with known deforming dimensions, data with a nontrivial topology and noisy data. We compare the estimates with results obtain by local PCA.
Age and the distance to crime

The journey-to-crime literature consistently shows that the distance to crime is short, particularly for violent crimes. Recent research has revealed methodological concerns regarding various (improper) groupings of data (nesting effects). In this article we investigate one such nesting effect: the relationship between age and the distance to crime. Contrary to much of the research that investigates this phenomenon, using a large incident-based data set of more than 100,000 crime trips, we find that the relationship between age and the distance to crime is best described as quadratic but this quadratic relationship is not universal across all crime classifications.
Spatial Heterogeneity in Sarcoma 18F-FDG Uptake as a Predictor of Patient Outcome

18F-FDG PET images of tumors often display highly heterogeneous spatial distribution of 18F-FDG–positive pixels. We proposed that this heterogeneity in 18F-FDG spatial distribution can be used to predict tumor biologic aggressiveness. This study presents data to support the hypothesis that a new heterogeneity-analysis algorithm applied to 18F-FDG PET images of tumors in patients is predictive of patient outcome. Methods: 18F-FDG PET images from 238 patients with sarcoma were analyzed using a new algorithm for heterogeneity analysis in tumor 18F-FDG spatial distribution. Patient characteristics, tumor histology, and patient outcome were compared with image analysis results using univariate and multivariate analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to further analyze the significance of the data associations. Results: Statistical analyses show that heterogeneity analysis is a strong independent predictor of patient outcome. Conclusion: The new 18F-FDG PET tumor image heterogeneity analysis method is validated for the ability to predict patient outcome in a clinical population of patients with sarcoma. This method can be extended to other PET image datasets in which heterogeneity in tissue uptake of a radiotracer may predict patient outcome.
Application-aware LCA of semiconductors: Life-cycle energy of microprocessors from high-performance 32nm CPU to ultra-low-power 130nm MCU

The exponential growth of the semiconductor industry raises serious environmental concerns. Accurate life-cycle data are critical for both appropriate product eco-design and life-cycle analysis (LCA) of new electronic applications. Previous semiconductor LCA efforts were based on generic studies dealing with an average component description such as microprocessors, DRAM or Flash memories without taking into account the broad application range of each component. In this paper, we show that accurate life-cycle data can only be obtained with an application-aware approach. We demonstrate this with a life-cycle energy evaluation of microprocessors for five different applications: from high-performance 32 nm CPUs for servers and laptops to low-power 45 nm processors for set-top boxes and smart phones to ultra-low-power 130 nm MCUs for wireless sensors. For each category, we model the energy of the CMOS processing steps for integrated circuit (IC) fabrication as well as the use phase energy demand including both active and stand-by modes. Results show that life-cycle energy varies by a factor 20000× between the high-performance and the ultra-low-power ends.
Learning to dribble on a real robot by success and failure

Learning directly on real world systems such as autonomous robots is a challenging task, especially if the training signal is given only in terms of success or failure (reinforcement learning). However, if successful, the controller has the advantage of being tailored exactly to the system it eventually has to control. Here we describe, how a neural network based RL controller learns the challenging task of ball dribbling directly on our middle-size robot. The learned behaviour was actively used throughout the RoboCup world championship tournament 2007 in Atlanta, where we won the first place. This constitutes another important step within our Brainstormers project. The goal of this project is to develop an intelligent control architecture for a soccer playing robot, that is able to learn more and more complex behaviours from scratch.
For Personal Use. Only Reproduce with Permission from the Lancet Publishing Group

Background New technologies for the detection of early-stage ovarian cancer are urgently needed. Pathological changes within an organ might be reflected in proteomic patterns in serum. We developed a bioinformatics tool and used it to identify proteomic patterns in serum that distinguish neoplastic from non-neoplastic disease within the ovary. Methods Proteomic spectra were generated by mass spectroscopy (surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionisation). A preliminary " training " set of spectra derived from analysis of serum from 50 unaffected women and 50 patients with ovarian cancer were analysed by an iterative searching algorithm that identified a proteomic pattern that completely discriminated cancer from non-cancer. The discovered pattern was then used to classify an independent set of 116 masked serum samples: 50 from women with ovarian cancer, and 66 from unaffected women or those with non-malignant disorders. Findings The algorithm identified a cluster pattern that, in the training set, completely segregated cancer from non-cancer. The discriminatory pattern correctly identified all 50 ovarian cancer cases in the masked set, including all 18 stage I cases. Of the 66 cases of non-malignant disease, 63 were recognised as not cancer. This result yielded a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 93–100), specificity of 95% (87–99), and positive predictive value of 94% (84–99). Interpretation These findings justify a prospective population-based assessment of proteomic pattern technology as a screening tool for all stages of ovarian cancer in high-risk and general populations.
Efficient 6-DOF SLAM with Treemap as a Generic Backend

Treemap is a generic SLAM algorithm that has been successfully used to estimate extremely large 2D maps closing a loop over a million landmarks in 442ms. We are currently working on an open-source implementation that can handle most variants of SLAM. In this paper we discuss the generic part of the algorithm constituting the treemap backend and the variant specific parts acting as a driver. We present their interplay from a software-engineering point of view and show results for the case of 6-DOF feature based SLAM, closing a simulated loop over 106657 3D features in 209ms.
The role of histone demethylase KDM4B in Myc signaling in neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND Epigenetic alterations, such as histone methylation, modulate Myc signaling, a pathway central to oncogenesis. We investigated the role of the histone demethylase KDM4B in N-Myc-mediated neuroblastoma pathogenesis. METHODS Spearman correlation was performed to correlate MYCN and KDM4B expression. RNA interference, microarray analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to define the functions of KDM4B. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence were used to assess protein-protein interactions between N-Myc and KDM4B. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to assess the binding of Myc targets. Constitutive and inducible lentiviral-mediated KDM4B knockdown with shRNA was used to assess the effects on tumor growth. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the prognostic value of KDM4B expression. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS KDM4B and MYCN expression were found to be statistically significantly correlated in a variety of cancers, including neuroblastoma (R = 0.396, P < .001). Functional studies demonstrated that KDM4B regulates the Myc pathway. N-Myc was found to physically interact with and recruit KDM4B. KDM4B was found to regulate neuroblastoma cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro and xenograft growth in vivo (5 mice/group, two-tailed t test, P ≤ 0.001). Finally, together with MYCN amplification, KDM4B was found to stratify a subgroup of poor-prognosis patients (122 case patients, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide insight into the epigenetic regulation of Myc via histone demethylation and proof-of-concept for inhibition of histone demethylases to target Myc signaling in cancers such as neuroblastoma.
Simball Box for Laparoscopic Training With Advanced 4D Motion Analysis of Skills

Background. Laparoscopic skills training and evaluation outside the operating room is important for all surgeons learning new skills. To study feasibility, a video box trainer tracking 4-dimensional (4D) metrics was evaluated as a laparoscopic training tool. Method. Simball Box is a video box trainer with authentic surgical instruments and camera with video recording, equipped with 4D motion analysis registered through trocars using machine vision technology. Residents attending a 3-day laparoscopy course were evaluated performing a laparoscopic surgical knot at start, middle, and end. Metrics were obtained. Feedback data were presented in reference to expert/tutorial performance. Results. Ten right-handed residents were included. Median time (range) to finish the task was 359 (253-418), 129 (95-166), and 95 (52-156) seconds; 655%, 236%, and 174% of tutorial performance, with significance pre-/midcourse (P < .0001), pre-/postcourse (P < .0001), and mid-/postcourse (P = .0050). Combined median total instrument motion decreased pre-/midcourse from 1208 (845-1751) to 522 cm (411-810 cm); P = . 042 to 405 cm (246-864 cm) postcourse; pre-/postcourse P < . 0001; 673%, 291%, 225% of tutorial performance. Total angular distance in radians (range) was 150 (87-251), 65 (42-116), and 50 (33-136) with significance pre-/midcourse (P = .022) and pre-/postcourse (P = .0002). Right-handed average speed (cm/s) increased: 1.94 (1.11-2.27) pre-, 2.39 (1.56-2.83) mid-, 2.60 (1.67-3.19) postcourse with significance pre-/midcourse (P = .022) and pre-/postcourse (P = .002). Average acceleration (mm/s2) and motion smoothness (µm/s3) failed to show any difference. Conclusion. For laparoscopic training and as a promising evaluation device, Simball Box obtained metrics mirroring progression well.
Catalysis of S-nitrosothiols formation by serum albumin: The mechanism and implication in vascular control

Nitric oxide (NO⋅) is a short-lived physiological messenger. Its various biological activities can be preserved in a more stable form of S-nitrosothiols (RS-NO). Here we demonstrate that at physiological NO⋅ concentrations, plasma albumin becomes saturated with NO⋅ and accelerates formation of low-molecular-weight (LMW) RS-NO in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism involves micellar catalysis of NO⋅ oxidation in the albumin hydrophobic core and specific transfer of NO+ to LMW thiols. Albumin-mediated S-nitrosylation and its vasodilatory effect directly depend on the concentration of circulating LMW thiols. Results suggest that the hydrophobic phase formed by albumin serves as a major reservoir of NO⋅ and its reactive oxides and controls the dynamics of NO⋅-dependant processes in the vasculature.
Segmentation of renal parenchymal area from ultrasoundl images using level set evolution

This paper presents a framework for segmentation of renal parenchymal area from ultrasound images based on a 2-step level set method. We used distance regularized level set evolution method to partition the kidney boundary, followed by region-scalable fitting energy minimization method to segment the kidney collecting system, and determined renal parenchymal area by subtracting the area of the collecting system from the gross kidney area. The proposed method demonstrated excellent validity and low inter-observer variability.