Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isotope dilution-LC-MS/MS reference method assessment of serum folate assay accuracy and proficiency testing consensus mean.

BACKGROUND Current methods for measuring folates in clinical laboratories are competitive folate binding protein assays. These assays show a considerable lack of agreement that has implications for the comparability of data across studies as well as for long-term population studies. The development of isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS) reference methods permitted the evaluation of method accuracy and consistency over time. METHODS We measured 3 pools of human serum by ID-LC-MS/MS, calculated values for total folate, and distributed the same pools to participants in a national External Quality Assessment scheme. We used linear regression to compare the all-laboratory and method data with reference method values. The exercise was repeated after 18 months to assess the stability of the all-laboratory and method data. RESULTS The distributed serum pools had mass spectrometry values for folate species typical of those found in healthy individuals from populations not receiving dietary folic acid fortification. There was good agreement of the all-laboratory data set with the reference method (y =0.86x + 0.91 μg/L) at both time points. Linear regression demonstrated that the Abbott Architect showed the closest agreement with the reference method. The Roche Elecsys method was nonlinear and showed a calibration offset of 2.6 μg/L (4.57 nmol/L). CONCLUSIONS Calibration of serum folate assays traceable to higher-order reference methods increases method accuracy and improves consistency. The all-laboratory consensus mean proved sufficiently accurate and stable to be used as the target for monitoring laboratory performance.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews in Search of a Recognition Memory Engram

A large body of data from human and animal studies using psychological, recording, imaging, and lesion techniques indicates that recognition memory involves at least two separable processes: familiarity discrimination and recollection. Familiarity discrimination for individual visual stimuli seems to be effected by a system centred on the perirhinal cortex of the temporal lobe. The fundamental change that encodes prior occurrence within the perirhinal cortex is a reduction in the responses of neurones when a stimulus is repeated. Neuronal network modelling indicates that a system based on such a change in responsiveness is potentially highly efficient in information theoretic terms. A review is given of findings indicating that perirhinal cortex acts as a storage site for recognition memory of objects and that such storage depends upon processes producing synaptic weakening.
The analysis of PQRS and other bias models Double blind submission

A new family of models for I/O access patterns, the PQRS family was recently introduced and studied by Wang et. al. In particular these authors studied experimentally average seek distances and cache hit rates for these models. In this paper we compute analytically average seek distances and cache hit rates for PQRS models. We introduce an efficient, parameter independent, caching algorithm for all PQRS models and analyze it’s hit ratio. The existence of such an algorithm shows that PQRS generated traces are too predictable to be used as benchmarks. We show how the models can be amended to eliminate predictability. We also introduce the, parameter dependent, optimal caching algorithm for PQRS models and compute it’s hit ratio. We show that models with time independent spatial distributions produce the lowest hit ratios. We compute the average seek distance and show that the models whose spatial distribution is time independent have the largest average seek distance. thus proving a fact which was previously noted experimentally. We also show that the output stream of read misses coming from a PQRS input stream after passing through a cache is also approximated by a PQRS model. The results also quantify and clarify the relations between the various entropies of the models and properties such as burstiness and cache hit ratio. Taken together the results present a comprehensive picture of the behavior of PQRS models. Our formulas for the average seek and for hit ratios make PQRS models much more useful in optimization applications. The predictability reducing mechanisms make them eligible for use in benchmarks. In addition we introduce a larger class of models which we call bias models. We extend many of our results to this larger class. We then provide evidence that this larger class is needed for more realistic modeling of real workloads.
Modèle générique de profils pour la personnalisation de l'accès à l'information

L'heterogeneite des techniques d'acces a l'information a souleve le probleme de la definition d'un modele homogene qui leur servirait de base. Dans cet article, nous proposons un modele generique de profil qui permet de decrire la structure et la semantique generale de tout type de profil d'information ou d'usager pour l'acces a l'information. Nous construisons egalement un graphe semantique de profils qui combine des instances de profils ainsi que des classes (generiques) du modele generique. L'exploitation de ce graphe, via la definition de regles d'inference, nous permet de deduire les couples d'elements de profils qui soient appariables. Ces couples d'elements appariables sont ensuite utilises par la methode d'appariement que nous proposons et qui nous permet de calculer un degre de ressemblance entre deux profils.
Shift-invert eigenvalue solvers with inexact inner solves-achievements

1 Background The numerical solution of large sparse eigenvalue problems arising from discretised PDEs is an important problem in computational mathematics with many and varied applications. It arises, for example, in stability assessment in structural mechanics and in the computation of resonances in electromagnetics. In this project our main target application was in fluid flow problems governed by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, where Hopf bifurcations are typically detected by linearised stability analysis. With respect to our target application, the PI had worked for many years with K.A. Cliffe of SERCO Assurance on iterative methods for eigenvalues, based on shift-invert strategies, but only when the systems were small enough to admit a direct inner solver (e.g. [5]). These fail to work in the case of practically important model problems such as the stability of 2D flow in an expanding pipe to 3D perturbations. The main aims of the present project were (i) to produce a numerical analysis of eigenvalue iterations based on inexact inner solves and (ii) to build parallel software based on this analysis (using domain decomposition methods for the inexact inner solves) to compute eigenvalues of linear PDEs, in particular the linearised Navier-Stokes equations. When the project started there was relatively little analysis on eigenvalue iterative methods with inexact inner solves. However during the course of the project there has been a considerable growth of interest in this problem-e.g. [7, 14]. Our work, for example in the large paper [2] (recently submitted), has improved on both of these papers in a way made precise below and we believe that our work is internationally competitive in this area. In order to build parallel iterative methods suitable for solving Navier-Stokes equations, we have benefitted from contacts with active UK groups working in this area – e.g. [13, 11]. These groups have not however been working on parallel algorithms. Our work has built parallel preconditioners, using techniques in [13, 11] combined with our own original ideas to produce Navier-Stokes solvers with good parallel performance and a solution time which scales close to linearly with problem size. This part of the work is at the practical end of the project; but the selection of our paper [9] as a distinguished paper at an international conference shows that we are internationally competitive in this direction too. As far as industrial relevance is concerned, we now have an eigenvalue solver which outperforms the direct-solver-based algorithms …
Causal Analysis in Population Research: An Economist's Perspective

The problem of determining cause and effect is one of the oldest questions in the social sciences. This note provides a perspective on the analysis of causal relationships in population research, drawing upon recent discussions in the field of economics. Within economics, thinking about causal estimation has shifted markedly in the last decade toward a more pessimistic reading of what is possible and a retreat in the ambitiousness of claims of causal determination. The framework that underlies this conclusion is presented, methods for isolating causal effects are discussed, and an example from the field of population research is given. Copyright 2003 by The Population Council, Inc.
Image enhancement using linear diffusion and an improved gradient map estimate

In this paper, we propose an approach to improve the noise removal/structure preservation properties of non-linear, inhomogenous diffusion filtering algorithms. These algorithms are locally driven by the gradient vector. We introduce an algorithm to obtain an estimate of the gradient vector field using local and global information contained in the original noisy gradient field. The estimated gradient field is then applied to a linear inhomogeneous diffusion process. Good structure preservation/image denoising properties are obtained using this new approach.
Multiprimer PCR System Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Cochabamba, Bolivia

Bolivia has one of the highest incidence rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the Americas. An estimated 15,000 new cases per year are detected ([1][1]), which corresponds to an incidence rate of 112 cases per 100,000 population; 1,600 deaths due to TB are reported to occur annually ([10][2]). The actual
miR-211 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by downregulating SATB2

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRs) is involved in carcinogenesis. Deregulation of miR-211 has recently been observed in many tumors, but its function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unknown. Here we found that miR-211 was decreased in HCC cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. We also found that overexpression of miR-211 repressed proliferation and invasion in HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells. Luciferase reporter assays and western blot indicated that special AT-rich sequence-binding protein-2 (SATB2), is a direct target of miR-211. The expression of SATB2 was upregulated in HCC cancer tissues and cell lines and miR-211 levels inversely correlated with SATB2 levels in HCC. Importantly, SATB2 rescued the miR-211-mediated inhibition of cell invasion and proliferation. Finally, reintroduction of miR-211 repressed tumor formation of HCC in xenograft mice. This study provides insights into molecular mechanisms that miR-211 contributed to HCC.
Effects of Synthetic Turf Systems With and Without a Shock Pad on Lower Extremity Biomechanics During a 90° Cutting Movement With Differing Approach Velocities

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in lower extremity kinematics and kinetics on two different synthetic turf systems (turf only and turf with a shock pad) for two approach velocities (3.0 and 4.0 m/s) during a 90 cutting movement. Twelve recreational male American football and soccer players were recruited to perform five trials for each of the four conditions. A three-dimensional motion analysis system synchronized to a force platform was used to collect marker coordinate and ground reaction force (GRF) data respectively. A 2 x 2 (surface x approach velocity) ANOVA was used to analyze kinematic and kinetic variables. Across surface conditions, there was a general lack of significant differences. While there was a lack of differences for kinematics and kinetics, there might have been increased co-contractions to stabilize the lower extremity with the increased deformation on the shock pad condition, which was undetectable via the inverse dynamics. However, knee frontal-plane peak loading eccentric power was found to be greater on the shock pad condition (p = 0.013) while knee frontal-plane peak push-off eccentric power was reduced on the shock pad condition (p = 0.020). A surface x approach velocity interaction was detected for knee sagittal-plane peak eccentric power (p = 0.018). Post-hoc analysis found a significant difference for approach velocity on the turf only condition. As the protocol dictated a change in performance, the largest changes were seen in peak hip extension (p = 0.007) and knee extension (p = 0.004) moments, suggesting that these were the major factors for determining the performance improvement. There were also increases in ankle eversion moment (p < 0.001) and ankle inversion ROM (p = 0.001) as approach velocity increased. These increases potentially suggest that the risk of a lateral ankle
Periodic acid-Schiff staining of retinal whole mounts.

Introduction Study of the vasculature in rat retina has been largely dependent upon methods which involve intravascular injection or serial tissue sections. The method that Friedenwald and Becker developed (Friedenwald, 1949), whereby human retinae were stained with a periodic acid-Schiff reaction and examined as flat mounts, revealed the vascular tree by staining its endothelial basement membrane. The method has appeared to offer a convenient and new approach to studies of retinopathy in the rat. However, the method has been reported to overstain rat retina (Keeney and Barlow, 1955, 1956), and a similar difficulty has been encountered with other mammalian retinae unless autolyzed prior to fixation. Kuwabara and Cogan (1960) have digested retinae of rats and other mammals with trypsin and have removed the extravascular tissue, the resulting networks of vessels later being stained with hematoxylin and eosin in addition to a periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Keeney and Barlow (1956) reported that
Locating and Mobile Mapping Techniques for Forestry Applications

Forest management activities include locating and mapping management boundaries, transportation networks, stmarns, landscape topography, Farest rewurccs, and special management areas. Locating and mapping tasks associated with forest management ltave traditionally been performed using manual measurement techniques with varying degrees o f preaision, accuracy, and cmciency. This paper examines the use and capabilities of contemporary digital measurement tools including laser range finders, global positioning systems (GPS), and total stations, in combinatioii with geographic infomiation systems (GJS), to digitally capnire and map data associated with forestry activities. The potential contributions o f these digital approaches over traditional data collection techniques are discussed. In addition, digital location-based technology advancements that might benefit fowt management and planning are identified.
Hydroxyapatite coated magnesium alloy for peripheral nerve regeneration

Magnesium (Mg) has been used as a neuroprotective agent and for orthopedic and cardiovascular stent applications for a long time. Mg is a promising material for neural regeneration own to its metallic nature, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. To evaluate the benefit of hydroxyapatite (HA) coated Mg alloy (WE43) nerve conduit in peripheral nerve injury regeneration. In vitro cell adhesion and proliferation of PC12 cells and Schwann cells over pure Mg, WE43, HA coated pure Mg (HA-Mg), and HA coated WE43 (HA-WE43) disks were assessed using scanning electron microscope and EZ-CYTOX assay. In vivo study was also performed for sham, silicone nerve conduits, and HA-WE43 nerve conduits to evaluate rat sciatic nerve regeneration over 10 mm gap. These rats were observed for three months with weekly functional assessment using sciatic functional index. Regeneration was evaluated through retrograde neuron labeling and histomorphometric analysis at the end of the experiment. Non-coated pure Mg and WE43 conduits showed fast resorption rate and high gas formation. Higher adhesion and proliferation of PC12 cells were found in HA-WE43 disks. At the end of three months, HA-WE43 nerve conduit showed mild resorption without detectable gas formation in the surrounding tissue. However, only scanty regenerated neural tissue was found within the conduit. HA-WE43 nerve conduit showed controlled degradation and absence of gas formation with scanty regenerated neural tissue.
Efficient Sampling for Learning Sparse Additive Models in High Dimensions

We consider the problem of learning sparse additive models, i.e., functions of the form: f(x) = Σl∈S ϕl(xl), x ∈ ℝd from point queries of f. Here S is an unknown subset of coordinate variables with |S| = k ≪ d. Assuming ϕl's to be smooth, we propose a set of points at which to sample f and an efficient randomized algorithm that recovers a uniform approximation to each unknown ϕl. We provide a rigorous theoretical analysis of our scheme along with sample complexity bounds. Our algorithm utilizes recent results from compressive sensing theory along with a novel convex quadratic program for recovering robust uniform approximations to univariate functions, from point queries corrupted with arbitrary bounded noise. Lastly we theoretically analyze the impact of noise - either arbitrary but bounded, or stochastic - on the performance of our algorithm.
A new method for multicriteria linguistic decision making based on hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets

This paper presents a new method for multicriteria linguistic decision making based on hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets. The context-free grammar is used to produce the linguistic assessments of alternatives with respect to criteria. The linguistic expressions are transformed into hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets by means of a transformation function. The fuzzy sets in each hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set are combined into a fuzzy set. The system performs the a-cut operations to these aggregated fuzzy sets to get intervals, respectively, where a E (0,1] . For each alternative, the system performs the minimum operations among the intervals obtained by the a-cuts of the aggregated fuzzy sets to get a derived interval of each alternative, where α ∈ (0,1]. Finally, for each alternative, the system calculates the likelihood p(X ≥ [0, 1]) of X ≥ [0,1], where X is a derived interval of the alternative. The larger the likelihood value of the alternative, the better the preference order of the alternative. The proposed method is simpler than the existing method for multicriteria linguistic decision making based on hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets.
Principles of digital communication and coding

two listed are 1) the reference model is a nonlinear, time-varying system, and 2) the adjustable system also contains nonlinearities. These situations may lead to violations of the basic hypothesis in the parameter identification and adaptive observer problems, but not in the adaptive control problem. Another consequence is that here seems to be a serious omission of one assumption required in the control problem but not in the other two. That is that Ahe sign of the leading coefficient in the plant’s numerator polynomial b , in equation (6.4-35), must be known. Solutions which do not require this assumption have been discussed by various people, but are not very satisfactory because the algorithms invariably involve pogntial division by zero. The requirement for knowledge of the sign of bm in the control case. is obscured in the general discussion of Section 4.2 of Chapter Iv. Chapters 7 and 8 give a good development of the model reference adaptive approach to the parameter identification problem and the simultaneous adaptive state observation and parameter identification problem, respectively. Chapter 7 contains the development for both continuous time and discrete time identification algorithms, and considers the importance of variable (time decreasing) adaption g a i n s in the presence of measurement noise. The advantages and disadvantages of parallel identifiers (output error method) and series-parallel identifiers (equation error method) are discussed. Two case studies are included, one using the continuous time algorithm and one the discrete time algorithm. Chapter 8 deals only with discrete time algorithms in a deterministic context. The last statement in Chapter 7 is, “ M U S identifiers can be used for implementing adaptive control schemes. ” Some discussion concerning the potential stability problems associated with this approach would have been helpful. The author should be commended for even attempting a book in this extremely active area of research where many concepts have not yet completely solidified. He has achieved to a considerable degree his stated goals of making the book interesting to practicing engineers, useful as a textbook for graduate students, and a starting point for further investigation by researchers.
Water and thermal management of PEM fuel cells

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells have a great potential to replace conventional fossil fuel dependent power conversion technologies in a wide range of portable, automotive and stationary applications and this is due to their high efficiency, quick start-up and sizing flexibility. However, there are still some technical challenges that hinder the widespread deployment of this clean technology into the marketplace. Two of the key challenges are the water management and thermal management of the fuel cell; any mismanagement of water and/or heat could lead to water flooding or membrane dry-out which are both detrimental to the fuel cell performance and durability. In order to have insights on how to manage water and heat within the fuel cells, a transparent and commercially available PEM fuel cell has been directly visualised using high-resolution digital and thermal cameras at both sides of the fuel cell. With this technique, real-time videos that show how liquid water and heat evolve have been recorded. There has been a particular emphasis on how liquid water forms, accumulates and moves along the flow channels. Further, the sensitivity of the distribution of liquid water and temperature within the fuel cell to the operating conditions has been investigated. For this investigation, a new parameter, termed as the wetted bend area ratio, has been introduced to give an indication on how flooded the flow channels are and subsequently explain the variations in the performance of the PEM fuel cell as the operating conditions change. The main findings are the temperature distribution across the MEA becomes less uniform as the wetted ratio number decreases. Further, the temperature distribution along the MEA at the cathode side becomes less uniform as the air flow rate increases. In addition, there exist optimum values for the operating conditions to increase the fuel cell performance. Since the operation of the PEM fuel cell at high temperatures (i.e.>100°C) is an increasingly adopted way to resolve water flooding problems, the reliability of the currently used components remain questionable. To partly answer this question, the gas permeability of the diffusion media used in PEM fuel cells has been investigated under higher temperatures for the first time. The results show that the gas permeability increases as the operating temperature increases and this may enhance the reactant transport within the PEM fuel cell.