Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visualization of Complex Function Graphs in Augmented Reality

Understanding the properties of a function over complex numbers can be much more difficult than with a function over real numbers. This work provides one approach in the area of visualization and augmented reality to gain insight into these properties. The applied visualization techniques use the full palette of a 3D scene graph's basic elements, the complex function can be seen and understood through the location, the shape, the color and even the animation of a resulting visual object. The proper usage of these visual mappings provides an intuitive graphical representation of the function graph and reveals the important features of a specific function. Augmented reality (AR) combines the real world with virtual objects generated by a computer. Using multi user AR for mathematical visualization enables sophisticated educational solutions for studies dealing with complex functions. A software framework that has been implemented will be explained in detail, it is tailored to provide an optimal solution for complex function graph visualization, but shows as well an approach to visualize general data sets with more than 3 dimensions. The framework can be used in a variety of environments, a desktop setup and an immersive setup will be shown as examples. Finally some common tasks involving complex functions will be shown in connection with this framework as example usage possibilities.
An algorithm for mining outliers in categorical data through ranking

The rapid growth in the field of data mining has lead to the development of various methods for outlier detection. Though detection of outliers has been well explored in the context of numerical data, dealing with categorical data is still evolving. In this paper, we propose a two-phase algorithm for detecting outliers in categorical data based on a novel definition of outliers. In the first phase, this algorithm explores a clustering of the given data, followed by the ranking phase for determining the set of most likely outliers. The proposed algorithm is expected to perform better as it can identify different types of outliers, employing two independent ranking schemes based on the attribute value frequencies and the inherent clustering structure in the given data. Unlike some existing methods, the computational complexity of this algorithm is not affected by the number of outliers to be detected. The efficacy of this algorithm is demonstrated through experiments on various public domain categorical data sets.
Exchange Transfusion in the Treatment of Neonatal Septic Shock: A Ten-Year Experience in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Septic shock, occurring in about 1% of neonates hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), is a major cause of death in the neonatal period. In the 1980s and 90s, exchange transfusion (ET) was reported by some authors to be effective in the treatment of neonatal sepsis and septic shock. The main aim of this retrospective study was to compare the mortality rate of neonates with septic shock treated only with standard care therapy (ScT group) with the mortality rate of those treated with ScT and ET (ET group). All neonates with septic shock admitted to our NICU from 2005 to 2015 were included in the study. Overall, 101/9030 (1.1%) neonates had septic shock. Fifty neonates out of 101 (49.5%) received one or more ETs. The mortality rate was 36% in the ET group and 51% in the ScT group (p = 0.16). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, controlling for potentially confounding factors significantly associated with death (gestational age, serum lactate, inotropic drugs, oligoanuria), ET showed a marked protective effect (Odds Ratio 0.21, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.06–0.71; p = 0.01). The lack of observed adverse events should encourage the use of this procedure in the treatment of neonates with septic shock.
Correlations Between Craniofacial Morphology and Dento-Maxillary Anomalies in a Population of Children in The South West Region of Romania

Purpose. Craniofacial morphology is usualy described by the head (cephalic index) and face form (prosopic index). The aim of this study was to establish the existence of correlations between the cranial and facial types and the dento-maxillary anomalies. Material and Methods. Data were collected from two groups of patients (a control group of 42 patients without dental anomalies and a test group of 76 patients with dento-maxillary anomalies) of both sexes and age range 11-16 years. Results. Both in the control and test groups, 50% of patients were classified in mesocephalic type and mesoprosopic type. Conclusions. Groups studied by us showed correlations between anomalies in the transverse plane and dolichocephalic type and correlations between anomalies in the sagittal plane and leptoprosopic type.
Moderate Weight Loss Decreases Oxidative Stress and Increases Antioxidant Status in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Background. Oxidative stress is enhanced in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and believed to contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis. Weight loss is associated with lowered oxidative stress. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional study in 92 consecutive patients with metabolic syndrome and 80 without. A dietary intervention with moderately low-calorie diet (600 calories/day negative energy balance) was carried out in 53 of metabolic syndrome patients. Oxidative stress, assessed by sNOX2-dp and urinary 8-iso-PGF2α, and antioxidant status, assessed by serum levels of vitamin E and adiponectin, were measured before and after 6 months. Results. Serum vitamin E/cholesterol ratio was significantly lower in metabolic syndrome compared to controls (P < 0.001) and decreased by increasing the number of metabolic syndrome components (P < 0.001). After six months, 23 and 30 patients showed >5% (group A) or <5% (group B) weight loss, respectively. Urinary 8-iso-PGF2α (−39.0%), serum sNOX2-dp (−22.2%), adiponectin (+125%), and vitamin E/cholesterol ratio (+129.8%) significantly changed only in A group. Changes in body weight and in serum adiponectin were independent predictors of vitamin E/cholesterol ratio variation. Conclusion. Our findings show that in metabolic syndrome moderate weight loss is associated with multiple health benefits including not only oxidative stress reduction but also enhancement of antioxidant status.
Blood vessel segmentation in retinal images based on the nonsubsampled contourlet transform

This paper presents a method for blood vessel segmentation in retinal images based on the nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT). The method uses a line detector and different directions of the NSCT subbands to detect the direction of blood vessel for each NSCT level. Then, the method computes three kinds of features using the orthogonal direction of blood vessel of the NSCT coefficients. After pixel classification, we present three kinds of post-processing procedures to correct the optic disk, the field of view mask, lesion areas, and noise. The performance is evaluated on the DRIVE database. The average accuracy of the DRIVE databases evaluation is 0.9423.
A Two-Stage Approximation for Analysis of Mixture Genetic Models in Large Pedigrees

Information from cosegregation of marker and QTL alleles, in addition to linkage disequilibrium (LD), can improve genomic selection. Variance components linear models have been proposed for this purpose, but accommodating dominance and epistasis is not straightforward with them. A full-Bayesian analysis of a mixture genetic model is favorable in this respect, but is computationally infeasible for whole-genome analyses. Thus, we propose an approximate two-step approach that neglects information from trait phenotypes in inferring ordered genotypes and segregation indicators of markers. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) fine-mapping scenarios, using high-density markers and pedigrees of five generations without genotyped females, were simulated to test this strategy against an exact full-Bayesian approach. The latter performed better in estimating QTL genotypes, but precision of QTL location and accuracy of genomic breeding values (GEBVs) did not differ for the two methods at realistically low LD. If, however, LD was higher, the exact approach resulted in a slightly higher accuracy of GEBVs. In conclusion, the two-step approach makes mixture genetic models computationally feasible for high-density markers and large pedigrees. Furthermore, markers need to be sampled only once and results can be used for the analysis of all traits. Further research is needed to evaluate the two-step approach for complex pedigrees and to analyze alternative strategies for modeling LD between QTL and markers.
CUB-domain–containing protein 1 (CDCP1) activates Src to promote melanoma metastasis

We report the application of quantitative mass spectrometry to identify plasma membrane proteins differentially expressed in melanoma cells with high vs. low metastatic abilities. Using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in culture (SILAC) coupled with nanospray tandem mass spectrometry, we identified CUB-domain–containing protein 1 (CDCP1) as one such differentially expressed transmembrane protein. CDCP1 is not only a surface marker for cells with higher metastatic potential, but also functionally involved in enhancing tumor metastasis. Overexpression of CDCP1 also correlates with activation of Src. Pharmacological reagents, PP2 and Dasatinib, which block Src family kinase activation, blocked scattered growth of CDCP1-overexpressing cells in 3D Matrigel culture, suggesting that CDCP1 might function through the activation of Src-family kinases (SFKs). This hypothesis was further supported by mutational studies of CDCP1. Whereas wild-type CDCP1 enhances Src activation, point mutation Y734F abolishes in vitro dispersive growth in 3D culture and in vivo metastasis-enhancing activities of CDCP1. In addition, the Y734F mutation also eliminated enhanced Src activation. Thus, this work provides molecular mechanisms for the metastasis-enhancing functions of CDCP1.
Fast Approximate Matching of Cell-Phone Videos for Robust Background Subtraction

We identify a novel instance of the background subtraction problem that focuses on extracting near-field foreground objects captured using handheld cameras. Given two user-generated videos of a scene, one with and the other without the foreground object(s), our goal is to efficiently generate an output video with only the foreground object(s) present in it. We cast this challenge as a spatio-temporal frame matching problem, and propose an efficient solution for it that exploits the temporal smoothness of the video sequences. We present theoretical analyses for the error bounds of our approach, and validate our findings using a detailed set of simulation experiments. Finally, we present the results of our approach tested on multiple real videos captured using handheld cameras, and compare them to several alternate foreground extraction approaches.
Changes in Composition of the Gut Bacterial Microbiome after Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection in a Pediatric Heart Transplant Patient

The microbiome is increasingly recognized as an important influence on human health and many of the comorbidities that affect patients after solid organ transplantation (SOT) have been shown to involve changes in gut bacterial populations. Thus, microbiome changes in an individual patient may have important health implications after SOT but this area remains understudied. We describe changes in the composition of the fecal microbiome from a pediatric heart transplant recipient before and >2.5 years after he underwent repeated fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). With both documented episodes of CDI, there was marked loss of bacterial diversity with overgrowth of Proteobacteria (>98.9% of phyla identified) associated with symptomatic colitis that was corrected after FMT. We hypothesize that a second CDI occurring after FMT was related to incomplete restoration of normal bowel flora post-FMT with relative deficiencies of the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and the families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae. Following the second FMT, there was a gradual shift in gut bacterial composition coincident with the recipient developing lymphonodular hyperplasia of the colon and painless hematochezia that resolved with discontinuation of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). This case documents dynamic changes in the bacterial microbiome after FMT and suggests that MMF may influence the gut microbiome with consequences for the patient.
Digital post-processing for testable random bit generators

In this paper, the problem of estimating the entropy produced by a post-processed random bit generator is discussed. A post-processing algorithm is proposed and a class of suitable sources is defined which includes stateless sources but also chaotic sources, provided that a state-reset function is implemented. It is shown that, using this general scheme of random bit generators, a straightforward procedure to evaluate the actual entropy delivered by a real device can be defined, thus supporting the device validation. The same procedure can be also used in simulation to evaluate the delivered entropy when the source is severely degraded. Finally, an attack scenario is defined and it is shown that it can be considered equivalent to a degraded source. The attack model allows choosing the post-processor compression ratio given the probability of forcing or probing each source output bit.
2 7 Fe b 20 01 Short-time critical dynamics and universality on a two-dimensional Triangular Lattice 1

Critical scaling and universality in short-time dynamics for spin models on a twodimensional triangular lattice are investigated by using Monte Carlo simulation. Emphasis is placed on the dynamic evolution from fully ordered initial states to show that universal scaling exists already in the short-time regime in form of power-law behavior of the magnetization and Binder cumulant. The results measured for the dynamic and static critical exponents, θ, z, β and ν, confirm explicitly that the Potts models on the triangular lattice and square lattice belong to the same universality class. Our critical scaling analysis strongly suggests that the simulation for the dynamic relaxation can be used to determine numerically the universality. PACS: 75.40. Mg, 75.10. Hk, 64.60. Fr, 64.60. Ht
Time-correlated MISO wiretap channel with delayed CSIT

We consider the time-correlated multiple-input single-output (MISO) wiretap channel where a multi-antenna transmitter wishes to convey a confidential message to its receiver in the presence of an eavesdropper. Assuming that the transmitter with delayed channel state information acquires some knowledge on current channel state due to the temporal correlation, the secrecy degrees of freedom (SDoF), capturing the behavior of the secrecy capacity in high signal-to-noise ratio regime, is studied. We characterize the optimal SDoF and provide the achievable scheme that takes advantage of both spatial precoding and digitalized artificial noise alignment.
An explicit sparse recovery scheme in the L1-norm

Consider the approximate sparse recovery problem: given Ax, where A is a known m-by-n dimensional matrix and x is an unknown (approximately) sparse n-dimensional vector, recover an approximation to x. The goal is to design the matrix A such that m is small and recovery is efficient. Moreover, it is often desirable for A to have other nice properties, such as explicitness, sparsity, and discreteness. In this work, we show that we can use spectral expander graphs to explicitly design binary matrices A for which the column sparsity is optimal and for which there is an efficient recovery algorithm (l1-minimization). In order to recover x that is close to {\delta}n-sparse (where {\delta} is a constant), we design an explicit binary matrix A that has m = O(sqrt{{\delta}} log(1/{\delta}) * n) rows and has O(log(1/{\delta})) ones in each column. Previous such constructions were based on unbalanced bipartite graphs with high vertex expansion, for which we currently do not have explicit constructions. In particular, ours is the first explicit non-trivial construction of a measurement matrix A such that Ax can be computed in O(n log(1/{\delta})) time.
The outlook for primary commodities, 1984 to 1995

In the next two years, prices of non-fuel primary commodities are expected to grow at less than the rate of growth of international inflation. This expectation is based on a continuation of the strict monetary control exercised in industrial countries, no revival of inflationary expectations and persistence of excess capacity in the production of the metals/minerals commodities. For the longer period to 1995, non-fuel commodity prices are expected to increase about 16 percent in real terms, with the main increases expected from rice, sugar and the metals/minerals commodities. Rice prices are presently trading at levels well below their historical relationship to wheat prices. Sugar prices will recover from their present very low levels as consumption regains its growth momentum and stocks are reduced. The excess capacity in the metals/minerals industries is expected to be substantially reduced by 1990, and prices of these commodities should increase somewhat over the period 1990-95. Supplies of petroleum from non-OPEC producers are expected to peak by about 1990. However, after that, non-OPEC supplies should decline and OPEC production will have to increase. Therefore, petroleum prices are expected to grow at about 4 percent per annum.
Characteristic and Minimal Polynomials of Linear Cellular Automata

The 1984 article by Martin, Odlyzko and Wolfram on Wolfram’s Rule 90 heightened interest in the area of linear cellular automata defined on a vector space over a finite field [8]. In this article we find the closed form expression for the minimal polynomial of Rule 90, which is then used to completely characterize the dynamics of the map. In addition, we show that the standard basis vectors in ZZ 2 lead to the maximal cycle for any linear finite dimensional cellular automata with periodic boundary conditions. Finally, we address questions posed by Tadaki on the connection between Rule 90 and Rule 150.
Multiple part feeding – real‐world application for mobile manipulators

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present experience from a real‐world demonstration of autonomous industrial mobile manipulation (AIMM) based on the mobile manipulator “Little Helper” performing multiple part feeding at the pump manufacturer Grundfos A/S.Design/methodology/approach – The necessary AIMM technologies exist at a mature level – the reason that no mobile manipulators have yet been implemented in industrial environments, is that research in the right applications have not been carried out. The paper proposes a pragmatic approach consisting of: a commercial‐off‐the‐shelf (COTS) mobile manipulator system design (“Little Helper”), a suitable and comprehensive industrial application (multiple part feeding), and a general implementation concept for industrial environments (the “Bartender Concept”). Findings – Results from the three days of real‐world demonstration show that “Little Helper” is capable of successfully servicing four part feeders in three production cells using command signals .
Young men with high-normal blood pressure have lower serum adiponectin, smaller LDL size, and higher elevated heart rate than those with optimal blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE Three measures--heart rate, a global index of the influence of the autonomic nervous system on the heart; circulating concentrations of adiponectin, an adipose-specific protein; and C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation--have been reported to be closely associated with insulin resistance. Patients with borderline hypertension are known to be more insulin resistant and dyslipidemic than those with normal blood pressure (BP). BP can be classified into three categories: optimal, normal, and high-normal. The present study examined whether those with high-normal BP have any of these three conditions as compared with those with optimal BP in young healthy men. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Anthropometric, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood tests, including tests for adiponectin and CRP, were conducted in 198 male students, ages 18-26 years, who had fasted overnight. Insulin resistance (IR) and insulin secretion (beta-cell levels) were calculated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and LDL size was measured by PAGE. RESULTS Compared with the 90 men who had optimal BP, the 46 men with high-normal BP had increased heart rate, BMI, percent body fat, and serum leptin levels. In addition, they had greater serum insulin, HOMA IR, and beta-cell levels, lower adiponectin levels, and comparable CRP levels. Furthermore, the 46 men with high-normal BP had higher serum triglyceride and apolipoprotein (apo) B levels, and smaller LDL size; however, there was no difference in LDL and HDL cholesterol and apoA-I between men with optimal and high-normal BP. After adjusting for BMI, differences were still significant in serum adiponectin, heart rate, and LDL particle size. As BP rose, there was an increase in heart rate (BMI-adjusted least square means were 63, 65, and 70 bpm in men with optimal, normal, and high-normal BP, respectively; P = 0.005), whereas serum adiponectin (7.5, 6.6, and 6.4 mg/l; P = 0.007) and LDL particle size (271, 269, and 269 A; P = 0.008) decreased. CONCLUSIONS Young men with high-normal BP have a faster heart rate, lower serum adiponectin levels, and smaller LDL size than men with optimal BP, even after adjustment for BMI. These results suggest the necessity of preventing further development of cardiac and metabolic diseases in young people who have high-normal BP.
Rewarding Sequential Innovators: Prizes, Patents, and Buyouts

This paper presents a model of cumulative innovation in which firms are heterogeneous in their research ability. We study the optimal reward policy when the quality of the ideas and their subsequent development effort are private information. Monopoly power is a scarce resource to be allocated across innovators who arrive at various times. The optimal assignment of property rights must counterbalance the incentives of current and future innovators. The resulting mechanism resembles a menu of patents that have infinite duration and fixed scope. This optimal patent menu can be implemented with a simple buyout scheme: The innovator commits at the outset to a price ceiling at which he will sell his rights to a future inventor. When a larger fee is paid initially, a higher price ceiling is obtained. Any subsequent innovator must pay this price and purchase his own buyout fee contract. We relate this mechanism to the proposed compulsory licensing schemes.