Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smart "Predict, then Optimize"

Many real-world analytics problems involve two significant challenges: prediction and optimization. Because of the typically complex nature of each challenge, the standard paradigm is predict-then-optimize. By and large, machine learning tools are intended to minimize prediction error and do not account for how the predictions will be used in the downstream optimization problem. In contrast, we propose a new and very general framework, called Smart “Predict, then Optimize” (SPO), which directly leverages the optimization problem structure—that is, its objective and constraints—for designing better prediction models. A key component of our framework is the SPO loss function, which measures the decision error induced by a prediction. Training a prediction model with respect to the SPO loss is computationally challenging, and, thus, we derive, using duality theory, a convex surrogate loss function, which we call the SPO+ loss. Most importantly, we prove that the SPO+ loss is statistically consistent with respect to the SPO loss under mild conditions. Our SPO+ loss function can tractably handle any polyhedral, convex, or even mixed-integer optimization problem with a linear objective. Numerical experiments on shortest-path and portfolio-optimization problems show that the SPO framework can lead to significant improvement under the predict-then-optimize paradigm, in particular, when the prediction model being trained is misspecified. We find that linear models trained using SPO+ loss tend to dominate random-forest algorithms, even when the ground truth is highly nonlinear. This paper was accepted by Yinyu Ye, optimization.
Specifying java iterators with JML and Esc/Java2

The 2006 SAVCBS Workshop has posed a Challenge Problem on the topic of specifying iterators. This note provides a specification in the Java Modeling Language (JML) [1, 2] for the Java interfaces Iterator and Iterable that captures the interactions between these two interfaces. An example program that uses these interfaces is checked using Esc/Java2 [3, 4, 5], demonstrating by example that the Esc/Java2 tool checks that the interfaces are used only as required by the specifications. The concluding section contains some observations on the limitations of JML for this specification task.
Development of a stacked WCSP package platform using TSV (Through Silicon Via) technology

To enable the miniaturization, electrical performance and heterogeneous functionality needs for emerging Analog applications, a stacked Wafer-level Chip Scale Package (WCSP) package platform has been developed using Through-Silicon Via (TSV) technology. This allows stacking of ICs, MEMS, passives and other components in the vertical direction onto active or passive TSV wafers, to create innovative System-in-Package (SiP) product solutions. Since Analog devices are small in size and cost is a key care about, a careful selection of the integration flow is required to achieve a low cost packaging solution. In this work, an integration flow for the stacked WCSP package is presented, along with development details for the Chip-on-Wafer (CoW) bonding and wafer overmolding unit processes. The test vehicle was 3mm × 3mm in size and used 25u diameter Cu TSVs in a 200mm diameter wafer. Interconnect reliability evaluations were done with different micro-bump Under Bump Metallurgy (UBM) and TSV tip surface finish metallization combinations. Wafer ovemolding development included warpage, saw and adhesion evaluations with multiple mold materials. A back-end assembly flow was established with a mass reflow bonding process and an overmold material with low CTE and intermediate Tg and modulus. Samples were prepared with mold-on-die and exposed die package structures. Excellent time-zero yields were obtained, with an average TSV micro-bump interconnect resistance of 25 mohms. Results and failures modes from preliminary reliability testing are included.
VMA12 Encodes a Yeast Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein Required for Vacuolar H+-ATPase Assembly*

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae vacuolar membrane proton-translocating ATPase (V-ATPase) can be divided into a peripheral membrane complex (V1) containing at least eight polypeptides of 69, 60, 54, 42, 32, 27, 14, and 13 kDa, and an integral membrane complex (V0) containing at least five polypeptides of 100, 36, 23, 17, and 16 kDa. Other yeast genes have been identified that are required for V-ATPase assembly but whose protein products do not co-purify with the enzyme complex. One such gene,VMA12, encodes a 25-kDa protein (Vma12p) that is predicted to contain two membrane-spanning domains. Biochemical analysis has revealed that Vma12p behaves as an integral membrane protein with both the N and C termini oriented toward the cytosol, and this protein immunolocalizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In cells lacking Vma12p (vma12Δ), the 100-kDa subunit of the V0 complex (which contains six to eight putative membrane-spanning domains) was rapidly degraded (t½ ∼ 30 min). Protease protection assays revealed that the 100-kDa subunit was inserted/translocated correctly into the ER membrane of vma12Δ cells. These data indicate that Vma12p functions in the ER after the insertion of V0subunits into the ER membrane. We propose that Vma12p functions directly in the assembly of the V0 subunits into a complex in the ER, and that assembly is required for the stability of the V0 subunits and their transport as a complex out of this compartment.
Barcoding of aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae and Adelgidae): proper usage of the global data set

Basics of DNA barcoding suppose the creation and operation of an extensive library based on reliably (including possibility for validation) identified specimens. Therefore, information concerning morphological identification of the individual samples used for DNA barcoding, for example, identification keys and descriptions used, must be clearly explained. In addition, the maximum available data set of sequences must be used. Access to currently private data appears to be of special interest, especially when such possibility is provided by the database regulations, because it encourages the cooperation of research and saves both time and resources. The cryptic aphid species complexes Aphis oenotherae‐holoenotherae and A. pomi‐spiraecola are used to illustrate the above statements.
Applying Six Sigma in Higher Education Quality Improvement

Quality in higher education became an important issue due to ever increasing demand by stakeholders and competitive environment. Although six sigma has been successfully used in product and service improvement in the business environment, the concept has not been adapted in higher education. To improve understanding of how six sigma can be used for higher education process improvement toward achievement of quality, a number of models are presented. Six sigma principles such as process improvement, reducing waste and continuous improvement aligns closely with the mission of higher education institutions and accreditation agencies. Using six sigma tools such as statistical process control, lean manufacturing, failure mode and effects analysis can help in the development of sustainable higher quality educational process. A process map with SIPOC (supplier, input, process, output and control), cause and effect analysis, FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis) for higher education was developed and presented. These tools can be used by higher education institutions to better understand the higher education process and how it can be improved to meet the desired quality goals.
Design of a stimulator ASIC for an implantable vestibular neural prosthesis

This paper presents the design of a multichannel stimulator ASIC for an implantable neural prosthesis to restore 3-D vestibular sensation. The stimulator can provide the three semicircular canals with biphasic current pulses at rates between 1 and 500 pps with current amplitudes up to 1 mA. The ASIC was implemented in 0.6 μm HV CMOS technology and post-layout simulations are presented.
Partial orderings of fixed finite dimension: Model companions and density

The model companions of the theories of n-dimensional partial orderings and n-dimensional distributive lattices are found for each finite n. Each model companion is given as the theory of a structure which is specified. The model companions are model completions only for n = 1. The structure of the model companion of the theory of n-dimensional partial orderings is a lattice only for n = 1. Each of the model companions is seen to be finitely axiomatizable, and a set of basic formulas, each of which is existential, is specified for each model companion. Finally a topolo-gically natural notion of dense n-dimensional partial ordering is introduced and shown to have a finitely axiomatizable undecidable theory. In this paragraph we shall define the notion of model companion (cf. [4]) and indicate the way in which we shall demonstrate that one theory is the model companion of another in this paper. For T and T* theories in a common language, T* is called a model companion of T if and only if the following two conditions are satisfied: first, Tand T* are mutually model consistent, which means that every model of either is embeddable in some model of the other; secondly, T* is model complete, which means that if and are both models of T* and is a substructure of , then is an elementary substructure of . A definition of model completion may be obtained by strengthening the notion of model companion to also require that T* admit elimination of quantifiers. In all of our examples the model companion will have only one countable model. Although the ℵ0-categoricity of the model companions follows from Saracino [8], we give specific proofs since these proofs fit so naturally in our analyses.
Optimal quantization in non-orthogonal subband coders

It is well known that the mean square error (MSE) is not preserved under non-orthogonal transformations. This poses a significant challenge to quantize the subband signals in coders that involve non-orthogonal filter banks, since the nearest neighbor (NN) encoding rule can no longer be applied to quantize the coefficients. In this paper, we develop techniques for optimal quantization of the subband coefficients in non-orthogonal subband coders. An exhaustive-search based quantization approach is proposed. The complexity of this approach is shown to increase exponentially with the length of the signal. Next, a reduced complexity solution in the form of a trellis-based search is proposed. Simulation results indicate appreciable SNR gains over standard coding techniques for non-orthogonal filter banks.
Household Energy Consumption Behaviour for Different Demographic Regions in Thailand from 2000 to 2010

Since 1995, the residential sector has been a fast-growing energy consumption sector in Thailand. This sector contributes dramatically to the growth of Thailand’s electricity and oil demand. Our study analysed Thailand’s residential energy consumption characteristics and the seven underlying factors affecting the growth in energy use of five demographic regions using an energy input–output method. Embodied energy decomposition revealed that direct energy consumption accounted for approximately 30% of total residential energy use, whereas indirect energy consumption was at 70%. During the studied period, the growth in indirect energy use for all household groups was primarily the result of higher consumption of ‘commerce’, ‘air transport’, ‘manufacturing’, ‘food and beverages’ and ‘agriculture’ products. Moreover, each influencing driver contributes differently to each household’s growth in energy demand. The number of households was the leading factor that dominated the increases in residential energy use in the Greater Bangkok and Central regions. Growth in residential energy consumption in the Northern, Northeastern and Southern regions was strongly dominated by changes in income per capita. Consumption structure and using energy-efficient products had a moderate impact on all regions’ energy consumption. Thus, our findings provide additional energy-saving strategies to restrain further growth in residential energy demand.
Chapter 2 Birth of the Sliding Filament Model of Muscular Contraction : Proposal

The offi cial date of the “birth” of the sliding fi lament theory of muscular contraction is May 22, 1954. On this day the journal Nature published two papers consecutively under the general title: “Structural Changes in Muscle During Contraction”. The fi rst paper by Andrew F. Huxley 1 and Dr. Rolf Niedergerke was entitled: “Interference microscopy of living muscle fi bres”. The second paper by Dr. Hugh Huxley and Dr. Jean Hanson was entitled: “Changes in the cross-striations of muscle during contraction and stretch and their structural interpretation”. But the story of sliding fi laments begins before May 22, 1954. In order to understand and appreciate the experiments that were done and why they were done, it is necessary to review the scientifi c background of each of the investigators.
Numerical evaluation of the slope and intercept of end-systolic pressure-volume relation

Numerical evaluation of two methods to calculate slope and intercept of endsystolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR) in the left ventricle is presented. The mathematical formalism is based on results previously published in which the active force of the myocardium (also called isovolumic pressure Piso) is introduced in the formalism describing the pressure-volume relation (PVR) in the left ventricle. The numerical calculation is simple and can be easily implemented in routine clinical work, only the ventricular pressure Pm near endsystole needs to be estimated. A thick-walled cylindrical model contracting symmetrically is assumed for the left ventricle.
The Anticoagulant Effect of Heparinoid Org 10172 During Haemodialysis: An Objective Assessment

Summary The heparinoid of natural origin Org 10172 has anti-factor Xa activity but minimal anti-thrombin activity, and little effect upon broad spectrum assays such as the KCCT in vitro. Its anticoagulant effects have been compared to those of commercial heparin in 7 patients undergoing haemodialysis for chronic renal failure. Commercial heparin was administered in a dose (5,000 iu bolus + 1,500 iu/hour continuous iv infusion) previously shown to inhibit fibrin formation during haemodialysis. This produced mean anti-factor Xa levels in plasma between 0.7-1.0 iu/ml and largely suppressed fibrin formation for 5 h dialysis measured as mean FPA levels in plasma. Administration of Org 10172 as a bolus of 1,350 anti-factor Xa u or 2,000-2,400 anti-factor Xa u produced plasma anti-factor Xa levels of less than 0.5 u/ml and allowed fibrin clot and FPA generation during dialysis. Org 10172 administered as a bolus dose of 4,000-4,800 anti-factor Xa u produced mean anti-factor Xa levels of greater than 0.5 u/ml, allowed dialysis of 6 patients for 5 h and appreciably suppressed FPA generation during dialysis, with little effect on the KCCT. It is concluded that the anti-factor Xa activity of Org 10172 may reflect its ability to inhibit fibrin during dialysis and that single bolus injection of Org 10172 may be a useful alternative method of achieving anticoagulation.
Radiological reasoning: a child with posterior plagiocephaly.

Received September 11, 2009; accepted after revision March 14, 2009. 1Both authors: Department of Radiology, Children’s National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave., Washington, DC 20010. Address correspondence to N. Kadom (nkadom@cnmc.org). AJR 2010;194:WS5–WS9 0361–803X/10/1943–WS5 © American Roentgen Ray Society OBJECTIVE A 10-month-old girl presented with an abnormal left posterior head shape and was referred for head CT to evaluate for the possibility of lambdoid craniosynostosis. At CT, a diagnosis of deformational plagiocephaly was made. An understanding of CT criteria to differentiate posterior deformational plagiocephaly from abnormal head shape caused by lambdoid craniosynostosis is necessary to help make the correct diagnosis.
Role of the corpus callosum in functional connectivity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Regional cerebral blood flow fluctuates synchronously in corresponding brain regions between the hemispheres. This synchrony implies neuronal connections between brain regions. The synchrony of blood flow changes is defined operationally as functional connectivity. Our purpose was to measure functional connectivity in patients with corpus callosal agenesis, in whom the interhemispheric connectivity is hypothetically diminished. METHODS In three patients with agenesis of the corpus callosum, functional MR imaging was performed while patients performed text-listening and finger-tapping tasks. Functional images were also acquired while the patients performed no specific task (resting state). Regions of activation temporally correlated with the performance of the tasks were identified by cross-correlating the task data with a reference function. Voxel clusters (seed voxels) that corresponded to regions of activation in the task-activation data set were selected in the resting data set. All the voxels in the resting 3D data set that had a correlation coefficient exceeding 0.4 were identified. The number of these voxels in the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres was tabulated. RESULTS In all patients, technically adequate functional MR and functional connectivity MR maps were obtained. For both tasks, activation was found in both hemispheres. For all of the seed voxels, significantly more functionally connected voxels were found in the ipsilateral hemisphere than in the contralateral hemisphere. For most seed voxels, no functionally connected voxels were found in the contralateral hemisphere. CONCLUSION Interhemispheric functional connectivity in the motor and auditory cortices is diminished in patients with agenesis of the corpus callosum compared with that of healthy subjects.
Aerobic influence on neuromuscular function and tolerance during passive hyperthermia.

PURPOSE To determine the role of aerobic fitness on central neuromuscular activation and maximal voluntary contractile force during hyperthermia. METHODS Thirty-seven healthy males in three distinct groups based on aerobic fitness and training history were passively heated using a liquid conditioning garment in a hot (35 degrees C, 50% RH) environment with the intention of testing neuromuscular function with whole-body hyperthermia. Of these initial participants, 11 of the 13 highly fit (HF; VO2max = 71.2 +/- 5.9 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), body fat = 5.6 +/- 1.9%), 11 of the 13 moderately fit (MF; 57.2 +/- 4.2 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), 11 +/- 3.4%), and 4 of the 11 lower-fit (LF; 49.6 +/- 1.1 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), 19.4 +/- 2.6%) individuals tolerated heating to 39.0 degrees C, with the remainder terminating the experimental protocol early. Maximal force output and voluntary activation were examined during a 10-s maximal isometric knee extension. RESULTS Passive heating attenuated force production (-61.7 +/- 69.6 N change from initial values) and decreased voluntary activation (8.6 (12.6), 18.1 (12.4), and 6.1 (3.1)% for HF, MF, and LF training groups, respectively). Cardiovascular strain moderately increased to 60 +/- 14% (P < 0.001), whereas HF and MF had significantly higher MAP than LF at the end of heating (98 +/- 15, 99 +/- 7, and 79 +/- 5 mm Hg for HF, MF, and LF, respectively; P < 0.05). However, the ability to tolerate passive heating to 39.0 degrees C (and above) differed between the HF and MF compared with LF, despite no difference in their psychophysical rankings of thermal sensations and/or (dis)comfort. CONCLUSION Low aerobic fitness and activity level are associated with a decreased tolerance to passive hyperthermia. However, at high body temperatures, maximum force production and voluntary activation were impaired to an equal level regardless of training status.
In vivo glyco‐engineered antibody with improved lytic potential produced by an innovative non‐mammalian expression system

Recent studies have demonstrated that the reduction of the core fucosylation on N‐glycans of human IgGs is responsible for a clearly enhanced antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). This finding might give access to improved active therapeutic antibodies. Here, the expression of the tumor antigen‐specific antibody IGN311 was performed in a glyco‐optimized strain of the moss Physcomitrella patens. Removal of plant specific N‐glycan structures in this plant expression host was achieved by targeted knockout of corresponding genes and included quantitative elimination of core fucosylation. Antibodies transiently expressed and secreted by such genetically modified moss protoplasts assembled correctly, showed an unaltered antigen‐binding affinity and, in extensive tests, revealed an up to 40‐fold enhanced ADCC. Thus, the glyco‐engineered moss‐based transient expression platform combines a rapid technology with the subsequent analysis of glycooptimized therapeutics with regard to advanced properties.
Apuntes para una genealogía del concepto de "función psicológica" en la obra de Ignace Meyerson

La psicologia historica que nos propone Ignace Meyerson (1888-1983) plantea un analisis de las funciones psicologicas a traves de las obras en que estas se objetivan (Les fonctions psychologiques et les oeuvres, 1948). Como le criticaran en su dia varios allegados, a pesar de la centralidad del termino de "funcion" en su obra, Meyerson no ofrece ni una definicion del termino ni una tabla de las funciones que deben constituir su objeto de estudio. Habida cuenta de esta indefinicion y de las ambiguedades que en ocasiones ofrece en sus escritos este termino, nos hemos propuesto en este trabajo esbozar algunas de las influencias que parecen haber nutrido el pensamiento de nuestro autor a este respecto. Tras un repaso muy generico de los usos de funcion, nos centramos en el uso que hace Meyerson de ella (como opuesto a sustancia), y seguimos la pista de dos autores en que se apoya para afirmar las ideas de cambio y de discontinuidad: a saber, Baldwin y Pradines. Este ultimo, que trabaja en una psicobiologia genetica mucho menos conocida que la del primero, retiene un poco mas nuestra atencion. Finalmente vemos como Meyerson toma la nocion de este ultimo, pero sacandolo del contexto de la filogenesis y situandolo en el terreno mismo de la historia.
Influences of indium fluctuation to carrier transport and the current-voltage turn-on behavior in the InGaN quantum well LEDs

Most commercial c-plane InGaN quantum well (QW) LEDs show an early turn-on voltage, which is significantly lower than the value predicted by numerical simulation even with perfect contacts. To make a more realistic structure for simulations, nano-scale Indium fluctuations were included in the QWs. Simulations of current-voltage (I-V) characteristics using a 2D drift-diffusion solver showed much lower turn-on voltages than models with homogeneous layers and the calculated I-V agreed with experimental value, which may be due to the lateral fluctuations in the potential barrier due to indium fluctuation within the QWs.