Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gradient of Probability Density Functions based Contrasts for Blind Source Separation (BSS)

The article derives some novel independence measures and contrast functions for Blind Source Separation (BSS) application. For the $k^{th}$ order differentiable multivariate functions with equal hyper-volumes (region bounded by hyper-surfaces) and with a constraint of bounded support for $k>1$, it proves that equality of any $k^{th}$ order derivatives implies equality of the functions. The difference between product of marginal Probability Density Functions (PDFs) and joint PDF of a random vector is defined as Function Difference (FD) of a random vector. Assuming the PDFs are $k^{th}$ order differentiable, the results on generalized functions are applied to the independence condition. This brings new sets of independence measures and BSS contrasts based on the $L^p$-Norm, $ p \geq 1$ of - FD, gradient of FD (GFD) and Hessian of FD (HFD). Instead of a conventional two stage indirect estimation method for joint PDF based BSS contrast estimation, a single stage direct estimation of the contrasts is desired. The article targets both the efficient estimation of the proposed contrasts and extension of the potential theory for an information field. The potential theory has a concept of reference potential and it is used to derive closed form expression for the relative analysis of potential field. Analogous to it, there are introduced concepts of Reference Information Potential (RIP) and Cross Reference Information Potential (CRIP) based on the potential due to kernel functions placed at selected sample points as basis in kernel methods. The quantities are used to derive closed form expressions for information field analysis using least squares. The expressions are used to estimate $L^2$-Norm of FD and $L^2$-Norm of GFD based contrasts.
H3K4 mono- and di-methyltransferase MLL4 is required for enhancer activation during cell differentiation

Enhancers play a central role in cell-type-specific gene expression and are marked by H3K4me1/2. Active enhancers are further marked by H3K27ac. However, the methyltransferases responsible for H3K4me1/2 on enhancers remain elusive. Furthermore, how these enzymes function on enhancers to regulate cell-type-specific gene expression is unclear. In this study, we identify MLL4 (KMT2D) as a major mammalian H3K4 mono- and di-methyltransferase with partial functional redundancy with MLL3 (KMT2C). Using adipogenesis and myogenesis as model systems, we show that MLL4 exhibits cell-type- and differentiation-stage-specific genomic binding and is predominantly localized on enhancers. MLL4 co-localizes with lineage-determining transcription factors (TFs) on active enhancers during differentiation. Deletion of Mll4 markedly decreases H3K4me1/2, H3K27ac, Mediator and Polymerase II levels on enhancers and leads to severe defects in cell-type-specific gene expression and cell differentiation. Together, these findings identify MLL4 as a major mammalian H3K4 mono- and di-methyltransferase essential for enhancer activation during cell differentiation. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.01503. 001
"É pesquisa, é? Ah, não quero, não, bem!" Sobre pesquisa acadêmica e sua relação com a prática do professor de línguas.

Controversial issues related to the gap between university based research and teachers’ practice are discussed in this essay. These issues are: the importance of teachers’ contribution to knowledge production, the distinction between knowledge produced by the university and the teacher’s personal practical knowledge, the ethics and principle of cooperativeness, entry into the field, teacher-researcher relationship, modes of inquiry and their respective methods of collecting documentary materials. Finally, syntheses of five modes of qualitative inquiry into educational processes and classroom practices are presented and their possible results are discussed with the intention of either softening or bridging the gap between university based research and teachers’ pedagogical practice.
QSPR prediction of physico-chemical properties for REACH

For registration of a chemical, European Union REACH legislation requires information on the relevant physico-chemical properties of the chemical. Predicted property values can be used when the predictions can be shown to be valid and adequate. The relevant physico-chemical properties that are amenable to prediction are: melting/freezing point, boiling point, relative density, vapour pressure, surface tension, water solubility, n-octanol–water partition coefficient, flash point, flammability, explosive properties, self-ignition temperature, adsorption/desorption, dissociation constant, viscosity, and air–water partition coefficient (Henry’s law constant). Published quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) methods for all of these properties are discussed, together with relevant property prediction software, as an aid for those wishing to use predicted property values in submissions to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Rationality authority for provable rational behavior

Players in a game are assumed to be totally rational and absolutely smart. However, in reality all players may act in non-rational ways and may fail to understand and find their best actions. In particular, participants in social interactions, such as lotteries and auctions, cannot be expected to always find by themselves the "best-reply" to any situation. Indeed, agents may consult with others about the possible outcome of their actions. It is then up to the counselee to assure the rationality of the consultant's advice. We present a distributed computer system infrastructure, named rationality authority, that allows safe consultation among (possibly biased) parties. The parties' advices are adapted only after verifying their feasibility and optimality by standard formal proof checkers. The rationality authority design considers computational constraints, as well as privacy and security issues, such as verification methods that do not reveal private preferences. Some of the techniques resembles zero-knowledge proofs. A non-cooperative game is presented by the game inventor along with its (possibly intractable) equilibrium. The game inventor advises playing by this equilibrium and offers a checkable proof for the equilibrium feasibility and optimality. Standard verification procedures, provided by trusted (according to their reputation) verification procedures, are used to verify the proof. Thus, the proposed rationality authority infrastructure facilitates the applications of game theory in several important real-life scenarios by the use of computing systems.
Automated Method for Reducing False Positives

False positives are critical problems of network intrusion detection systems that use pattern matching algorithm to detect network intrusions. The algorithm is unable to eliminate false packets with short lifespan. Secondly, the algorithm lacks the capability to manage the trade-offs between false and true positives. Consequently, system administrators are frequently swamped with massive false alerts from intrusive packets that cannot achieve their objectives and unfortunately, such alerts are often mixed with few true positives. However, how to substantiate these two generic groups of alerts without incurring additional overheads are classical research issues. Therefore, we present clustering-based adaptive P-Filter model to investigate false positives. Alerts from Snort were the input to the P-Filter model and they were clustered with some sequential filtering criteria. Extensive evaluations that we performed have demonstrated high efficacy of our approach to collaborate with pattern matching algorithm in achieving significant reduction of false positives during intrusion detections.
A wearable and flexible Bracelet computer for on-body sensing

Small-size, light-weight, flexible and programmable, yet low-cost sensor node is one of the keys to enable Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) research and a wide range of user applications. In this paper, the Bracelet computer is presented. The system is designed to be flexible and wearable that it supports a range of daughter boards of user's choice, and provides different ways for the boards to be connected to the main processor board. Despite a range of features, the monetary cost of the system is kept low. An application of the system — which uses the same wireless board as the Bracelet computer for localising a running athlete — is presented in this paper to demonstrate the applicability of the system. The localisation results show that the system achieves an average positional error of 28.945cm.
Variation, Change and the Usage-based Approach

ed this commonality to form a lower-level schema of the type [V ##] (which is a more fleshed-out instance of the syllable-structure schema [VCC##]). This schema can vary with the lower level schema [V ##] (a more fleshed-out instance of the syllable structure schema [VC##]) (Israel and Kemmer 1994: 170-1). If these patterns are particularly prominent then the schemas themselves may become entrenched to different degrees. Competition between schemas will lead to a further source of variability. 28 Langacker defines a usage-event as “a symbolic expression assembled by a speaker in a particular set of circumstances for a particular purpose” (1987: 66).
Social Desirability and Endorsement of Irrational Beliefs

Irrational beliefs have been proposed as causal agents in emotional disorders. Endorsement of such beliefs is positively correlated with anxiety, depression, and anger. However, measurement of irrational beliefs may reflect social-desirability bias. 159 subjects completed validated measures of irrational beliefs and a measure of social desirability. Three of nine belief scales were negatively correlated with social desirability. It is concluded that the content of the Irrational Beliefs Test is not compromised due to a bias to respond in a culturally sanctioned manner.
Matching Learning Style and Instructional Strategy: An Application of the Person-Environment Interaction Paradigm

There is a widely held view that matching learning style and instructional strategy can improve the effectiveness of education and training. This paper is a review of 17 studies, drawn from a variety of educational contexts, which investigate the interaction effect of learning style and instructional strategy. Ten studies provide support for the proposition that instructional strategy will be differentially effective for students with different learning styles. Three factors which might have contributed to the lack of support associated with the other seven studies are discussed.
Artificial intelligence for precision movement robot

Proportional Integral Differential (PID) feedback systems are known for their robustness, accuracy and stability. These systems are used in a wide variety of applications. In this paper, we explore the possibility of using a PID architecture in robotic 3D navigation systems. The system developed can be implemented for robotic applications that require high precision of movements along the three dimensions. The precision of movements may be required with reference to the user controls provided, for example in unmanned or autonomous driving systems, which in turn require Artificial Intelligence methodologies to give the outputs such that it attains precision. An experimental 3D precision robot is developed, in which the PID algorithm is implemented. The results of experiments conducted, confirm the effectiveness of PID controller in achieving the high precision of robotic movements in three dimensions.
Species distribution and forest type mapping in Mexico

The study analyzed the potential of multi-temporal satellite remote sensing data (Terra-MODIS) for phenological studies in Mexico. Within two conceptually and methodologically independent approaches, we analyzed vegetation index data to continuously predict species' occurrence and linked these predictions to a satellite data based land cover map of Mexico. Phenological metrics derived from interpolated MODIS EVI time series together with topographic data of the SRTM mission and bioclimatic variables (WorldClim) were used as environmental predictors for Maxent distribution modeling of six Quercus species. We evaluated model performance based on 20% independent occurrence data using model sensitivity, model specificity, and AUC statistics. Forest classes were extracted from a recently accomplished national land cover map of Mexico (NALCMS) with approximate accuracy of 82%. We found a remarkable spatial agreement of modeled Quercus distribution and forest classes. The value-added combination of both approaches allows for improved vegetation maps and the methodology has a great potential of transferability.
Virtual square (V2) in computer science education

It is common to name as virtual the imaginary space that can be created by software using computers and networks. This space is not only a set of processing and communications means and methods but it is also a space where humans can "meet," exchange ideas, leave messages etc. Students in computer science must learn how to design, implement, manage and debug the systems and networks that create this virtual space. Furthermore, CS students need an experimental environment --a playground-- where they can develop their skills at creating and supporting these virtual environments.For this "playground" we propose a virtual world made up of emulated computer systems and emulated networks. This emulated world will be the students' testing environment, where they can run their own services, administer their own machines and set up security attacks without any danger to real networks and systems. It is a virtual space based on virtual machines and virtual networks but it is also a meeting place for computer science students, where they can test the effectiveness of their ideas.This "space" therefore is a twice virtual space, which we call virtual to the second power or virtual squared (V2). It is a virtual environment that is a also virtual location (i.e. a town square) where different real computers, virtual systems and people can meet and communicate.
On Variants of k-means Clustering

\textit{Clustering problems} often arise in the fields like data mining, machine learning etc. to group a collection of objects into similar groups with respect to a similarity (or dissimilarity) measure. Among the clustering problems, specifically \textit{$k$-means} clustering has got much attention from the researchers. Despite the fact that $k$-means is a very well studied problem its status in the plane is still an open problem. In particular, it is unknown whether it admits a PTAS in the plane. The best known approximation bound in polynomial time is $9+\eps$. In this paper, we consider the following variant of $k$-means. Given a set $C$ of points in $\mathcal{R}^d$ and a real $f > 0$, find a finite set $F$ of points in $\mathcal{R}^d$ that minimizes the quantity $f*|F|+\sum_{p\in C} \min_{q \in F} {||p-q||}^2$. For any fixed dimension $d$, we design a local search PTAS for this problem. We also give a "bi-criterion" local search algorithm for $k$-means which uses $(1+\eps)k$ centers and yields a solution whose cost is at most $(1+\eps)$ times the cost of an optimal $k$-means solution. The algorithm runs in polynomial time for any fixed dimension. The contribution of this paper is two fold. On the one hand, we are being able to handle the square of distances in an elegant manner, which yields near optimal approximation bound. This leads us towards a better understanding of the $k$-means problem. On the other hand, our analysis of local search might also be useful for other geometric problems. This is important considering that very little is known about the local search method for geometric approximation.
Therapeutic Effects and Immunomodulation of Suanbo Mineral Water Therapy in a Murine Model of Atopic Dermatitis

Background Balneotherapy is widely used as an alternative treatment modality for AD. Although the clinical benefit of some mineral waters has been established, their mechanisms of action in alleviating AD are only partly understood. Objective The clinical modification and immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory effects of mineral water from the Suanbo hot springs on the differentiation and cytokine production of Th1, Th2, and regulatory T cells (Treg) were investigated using spleen, skin tissue, and serum from NC/Nga mice. Methods The therapeutic effects of bathing in mineral water in a Dermatophagoides farinae body extract ointment (Dfb ointment)-induced AD mouse model were assessed by measuring the modified Scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index scores, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), histological and immunohistochemical changes of the skin lesion, serum levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and immunoglobulin E, mRNA expression of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-5 of dorsal skin, and helper T cell differentiation in the spleen. Results Bathing in mineral water significantly reduced the modified SCORAD index scores, TEWL, epidermal hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration. IL-4 production and Th2 cell differentiation showed a decreasing tendency with mineral water bathing, but the Th1 cells did not. On the contrary, differentiation to Treg cells was promoted with mineral water bathing. Conclusion Balneotherapy not only has anti-inflammatory activity, but also shows positive effects on cutaneous barrier homeostasis. These results suggest that the favorable effects of balneotherapy may be mediated by modifying the Th2 response, and possibly in part by inducing Treg cell differentiation.
[Clinical evaluation of one-stage radical debridement combined with posterior pedicle internal fixation for brucellar spondylitis of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae].

OBJECTIVE To discuss the surgical treatment method and effectiveness of brucellar spondylitis. METHODS Between January 2002 and October 2010, 78 patients underwent one-stage radical debridement and posterior pedicle internal fixation, who were definitely diagnosed as having brucellar spondylitis of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. There were 42 males and 36 females, aged 24 to 65 years (mean, 45 years). The disease duration was 8-29 months (mean, 12 months). Two vertebrae were involved in 70 cases and three vertebrae were involved in 8 cases. All of the cases complicated by nerve function damage in different extent before operation. The patients were followed up regularly after operation. The pain score (visual analogue score, VAS), nerve function Frankel classification, effectiveness evaluation, and the blind test evaluation of X-ray and MRI were performed. RESULTS All 78 cases were followed up 12 to 30 months (mean, 26 months). No sinus tract and recurrence occurred. The VAS scores were significantly improved at 1 month (2.4 +/- 0.3), 3 months (1.0 +/- 0.2), 6 months (0.5 +/- 0.4), and 12 months (0) when compared with preoperative score (9.2 +/- 0.6) (P < 0.05). The nerve function Frankel classification after operation was significantly improved when compared with preoperative one (P < 0.05); the patients in grade C and grade D had the most obvious improvement. The effectiveness evaluation indicated no aggravated cases. As time went on, the improved and unchanged patients were cured gradually and the improvement rate and the curative rate were 100% and 91.03%, respectively at 12 months after operation. The imaging scores were significantly improved at 1 month (4.11 +/- 0.09), 3 months (4.68 +/- 0.04), 6 months (4.92 +/- 0.08), and 12 months (5) when compared with the preoperative score (0.17 +/- 0.03) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION One-stage radical debridement combined with posterior pedicle internal fixation is an ideal therapeutic method for brucellar spondylitis of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, which has obvious superiority in pain relief, the spine stability, the nerve function recovery, and early rehabilitation.
The role of prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the management of serosal involved gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND Peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin is associated with poor survival. The use of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) did not significantly improve the survival of patients with this disease. A promising approach can be based on the use of HIPEC as prophylaxis of peritoneal dissemination. PATIENTS AND METHODS From our database, we have sampled 12 patients with advanced gastric cancer. In all cases, a D2 total gastrectomy was performed, associated with splenectomy in four cases. All patients were submitted to HIPEC. RESULTS Morbidity and mortality were 33.3% and 8.3%, respectively. The median survival was 24 months, with only one case (8.3%) of peritoneal recurrence. CONCLUSION In light of our experience and supported by literature data, we can affirm that HIPEC has a potential role in the prevention of gastric carcinomatosis. Certainly further studies are required on a larger scale to validate this new but promising approach.
Assessment of Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas of the Cavernous Sinuses on 3D Dynamic MR Angiography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Flow voids within the cavernous sinuses and/or certain venous drainage on spin-echo MR imaging and time-of-flight (TOF) flow enhancement on MR angiography (MRA) have indicated high-velocity shunt flow and have been used for screening patients with dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the cavernous sinuses. In this investigation, the capabilities of 3D dynamic MRA as a flow-independent approach and those of conventional MR imaging techniques were compared with selective angiography for the diagnosis of DAVFs of the cavernous sinuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved 18 patients with angiographically proved DAVFs of the cavernous sinuses and 12 control subjects. Sixteen partially overlapping sequential MR images were acquired on contrast-enhanced 3D dynamic MRA between the petrosal bone and the orbital roof. Two experienced observers blinded to the clinical data and results of angiography independently graded 3D dynamic MRA, fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging (FSE T2WI), and TOF MRA. RESULTS: The average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values and interobserver κ scores for the diagnosis of DAVFs on 3D dynamic MRA, FSE T2WI, and TOF MRA were 0.99, 0.89, and 0.95; and 0.92, 0.71, and 0.73, respectively. Those for the diagnosis of anterior, posterior, and retrograde cortical venous drainage on 3D dynamic MRA were 0.72, 0.95, and 0.81; and 0.56, 0.50, and 0.49, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this small series, screening 3D dynamic MRA directly demonstrates DAVFs of the cavernous sinuses and has improved diagnostic capability.
Correlation between hospital anxiety depression (HAD) scale and other measures of anxiety and depression in geriatric inpatients

Ninety‐four patients on geriatric wards were examined as part of a study of prevalence of psychiatric disorders in elderly inpatients. A good correlation was found between depression measured on the HAD and on the Montgomery–Asberg scale. Lower, but still highly significant correlations were found between anxiety measured on the HAD and on the brief anxiety scale (BRAS), between anxiety on the self‐rating anxiety scale (SRAS) and the BRAS, and between anxiety on the HAD and the SRAS.