Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nesterov's Acceleration For Approximate Newton

Optimization plays a key role in machine learning. Recently, stochastic second-order methods have attracted much attention due to their low computational cost in each iteration. However, these algorithms might perform poorly especially if it is hard to approximate the Hessian well and efficiently. As far as we know, there is no effective way to handle this problem. In this paper, we resort to Nesterov's acceleration technique to improve the convergence performance of a class of second-order methods called approximate Newton. We give a theoretical analysis that Nesterov's acceleration technique can improve the convergence performance for approximate Newton just like for first-order methods. We accordingly propose an accelerated regularized sub-sampled Newton. Our accelerated algorithm performs much better than the original regularized sub-sampled Newton in experiments, which validates our theory empirically. Besides, the accelerated regularized sub-sampled Newton has good performance comparable to or even better than classical algorithms.
Axillary Ultrasound in the Management of the Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patient

Axillary lymph node status remains an important prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer. Axillary ultrasound (AUS) is an important tool in the workup of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer and also has an emerging role evaluating the axilla after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This review discusses the value of AUS in the workup and management of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer and describes its role given the recent changes in axillary management.
Estimation of Forest Structure, Ground, and Canopy Layer Characteristics From Multibaseline Polarimetric Interferometric SAR Data

This paper concerns forest parameter retrieval from polarimetric interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PolInSAR) data considering two layers, one for the ground under the vegetation and one for the volumetric canopy. A model is designed to combine a physical model-based polarimetric decomposition with the random-volume-over-ground (RVoG) PolInSAR parameter inversion approach. The combination of a polarimetric scattering media model with a PolInSAR RVoG vertical structure model provides the possibility to separate the ground and the volume coherency matrices based on polarimetric signatures and interferometric coherence diversity. The proposed polarimetric decomposition characterizes volumetric media by the degree of polarization orientation randomness and by the particle scattering anisotropy. Using the full model enhances the estimation of the vertical forest structure parameters by enabling us to estimate the ground-to-volume ratio, the temporal decorrelation, and the differential extinction. For forest vegetation observed at L-band, this model accounts for the ground topography, forest and canopy layer heights, wave attenuation in the canopy, tree morphology in the form of the angular distribution and the effective shapes of the branches, and the contributions from the ground level consisting of surface scattering and double-bounce ground-trunk interactions, as well as volumetric understory scattering. The parameter estimation performance is evaluated on real airborne L-band SAR data of the Traunstein test site, acquired by the German Aerospace Center (DLR)'s E-SAR sensor in 2003, in both single- and multibaseline configurations. The retrieved forest height is compared with the ground-truth measurements, revealing, for the given test site, an average root-mean-square error (rmse) of about 5 m in the repeat-pass configuration. This implies an improvement in rmse by over 2 m in comparison to the pure coherence-based RVoG PolInSAR parameter inversion.
Increased arginase activity and endothelial dysfunction in human inflammatory bowel disease.

Nitric oxide (.NO) generation from conversion of l-arginine to citrulline by nitric oxide synthase isoforms plays a critical role in vascular homeostasis. Loss of . NO is linked to vascular pathophysiology and is decreased in chronically inflamed gut blood vessels in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Mechanisms underlying decreased . NO production in IBD gut microvessels are not fully characterized. Loss of . NO generation may result from increased arginase (AR) activity, which enzymatically competes with nitric oxide synthase for the common substrate l-arginine. We characterized AR expression in IBD microvessels and endothelial cells and its contribution to decreased . NO production. AR expression was assessed in resected gut tissues and human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMEC). AR expression significantly increased in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease microvessels and submucosal tissues compared with normal. TNF-alpha/lipopolysaccharide increased AR activity, mRNA and protein expression in HIMEC in a time-dependent fashion. RhoA/ROCK pathway, a negative regulator of . NO generation in endothelial cells, was examined. The RhoA inhibitor C3 exoenzyme and the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 both attenuated TNF-alpha/lipopolysaccharide-induced MAPK activation and blocked AR expression in HIMEC. A significantly higher AR activity and increased RhoA activity were observed in IBD submucosal tissues surrounding microvessels compared with normal control gut tissue. Functionally, inhibition of AR activity decreased leukocyte binding to HIMEC in an adhesion assay. Loss of . NO production in IBD microvessels is linked to enhanced levels of AR in intestinal endothelial cells exposed to chronic inflammation in vivo.
Frequency of immunoglobulin E class switching is autonomously determined and independent of prior switching to other classes

Both, in humans and in mice, a major fraction of immunoglobulin E (IgE)- expressing B lymphocytes develops by sequential Ig class switching from IgM via IgG to IgE. This sequential class switch might have functional implications for the frequency and repertoire of IgE+ cells. Here we show that in mutant mice, in which sequential switching to IgE via IgG1 is blocked, the frequency of cells switching to IgE is not affected. Thus, sequential class switching to IgE merely reflects the simultaneous accessibility of two acceptor switch regions for switch recombination, induced by one cytokine, but with markedly distinct efficiency. Analysis of switch recombination on both IgH alleles of switched cells shows that the low frequency of switching to IgE is an inherent feature of the S epsilon switch region and its control elements.
WF-MSB: A weighted fuzzy-based biclustering method for gene expression data

Biclustering is an important analysis method on gene expression data for finding a subset of genes sharing compatible expression patterns. Although some biclustering algorithms have been proposed, few provided a query-driven approach for biologists to search the biclusters, which contain a certain gene of interest. In this paper, we proposed a generalised fuzzy-based approach, namely Weighted Fuzzy-based Maximum Similarity Biclustering (WF-MSB), for extracting a query-driven bicluster based on the user-defined reference gene. A fuzzy-based similarity measurement and condition weighting approach are used to extract significant biclusters in expression levels. Both of the most similar bicluster and the most dissimilar bicluster to the reference gene are discovered by WF-MSB. The proposed WF-MSB method was evaluated in comparison with MSBE on a real yeast microarray data and synthetic data sets. The experimental results show that WF-MSB can effectively find the biclusters with significant GO-based functional meanings.
Objective Evaluation of Vessel Attenuation in Multidetector-Row Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography Using High-Density Contrast Material for the Detection of Pulmonary Embolism

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the pulmonary vessel enhancement obtainable using high-density contrast material and saline flushing with automated bolus tracking for multidetector-row computed tomographic (MDCT) pulmonary angiography in a routine clinical setting. Methods: Attenuation values of pulmonary vessels were retrospectively measured in 51 CT scans performed on a 40-channel MDCT for unselected emergency patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism. Results: Mean vascular attenuation measured 326.7 ± 104 Hounsfield units (HU) in the pulmonary trunk and 299.1 ± 102 HU in the left distal lower lobe artery. Mean vascular attenuation values in the distal lower lobe artery were equal or higher than 150 HU for 94.1% (48/51) of patients. Conclusions: In conclusion, the combination of high-density contrast media and saline flushing with automated bolus tracking on a fast CT scanner reliably results in a homogenously high attenuation of pulmonary vessels, allowing precise delineation of clots down to the subsegmental level in MDCT pulmonary angiography.
Effects of a Buried Cysteine-To-Serine Mutation on Yeast Triosephosphate Isomerase Structure and Stability

All the members of the triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) family possess a cystein residue (Cys126) located near the catalytically essential Glu165. The evolutionarily conserved Cys126, however, does not seem to play a significant role in the catalytic activity. On the other hand, substitution of this residue by other amino acid residues destabilizes the dimeric enzyme, especially when Cys is replaced by Ser. In trying to assess the origin of this destabilization we have determined the crystal structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TIM (ScTIM) at 1.86 Å resolution in the presence of PGA, which is only bound to one subunit. Comparisons of the wild type and mutant structures reveal that a change in the orientation of the Ser hydroxyl group, with respect to the Cys sulfhydryl group, leads to penetration of water molecules and apparent destabilization of residues 132–138. The latter results were confirmed by means of Molecular Dynamics, which showed that this region, in the mutated enzyme, collapses at about 70 ns.
The DLSIUAES Team's Participation in the TAC 2008 Tracks

In this paper we present the DLSIAUES team's participation in the TAC 2008 Opinion Pilot and Recognizing Textual Entailment tasks. Structured in two distinct parts corresponding to these tasks, the paper presents the opinion and textual entailment systems, their components, as well as the tools and methods used to implement the approaches taken. Moreover, we describe the difficulties encountered at different steps and the distinct solutions that were adopted. We present the results of the evaluations performed within TAC 2008, analyze them and comment upon their significance. Finally, we conclude on the performed experiments and present some of the lines for future work.
Credit default swaps with counterparty risk: a calibrated Markov model

This article describes a continuous-time Markov approach to the riskneutral pricing of a credit default swap with counterparty risk. The key parameters in the approach are the transition rates, which naturally incorporate the ideas of contagion. Correlation (which is time-dependent) is a derived quantity, which results from contagion. An expansion in powers of a small parameter (a risk-neutral default probability) allows analytic formulae to be obtained for all relevant quantities. Thus, the problem of the calibration of the model to the market prices of the bonds of the reference entity and the counterparty, as well as to the credit default swap spreads of the reference entity (which are independent of the bond spreads in the case of counterparty risk), is solved. This is done with the help of analytic results for the spread of a credit default swap with counterparty risk, as well as for other derivative prices. A comparison with results produced by the market-standard Gaussian copula approach indicates that the market-standard approach could be significantly improved by allowing the copula correlation coefficient to be time-dependent.
Adult attachment and exploratory behavior in leisure

The goal of the attachment system is protection and felt security achieved by proximity to a caregiver; the goal of the exploratory system is discovery of the environment. These systems are complementary because a secure base enables one to explore the environment. As adults, people may explore through various leisure activities, such as travel or exhilarating sports. Depending on their attachment-related anxiety or avoidance, adults may view leisure activities as more or less compatible with relationships. Moreover, they may use exploration in leisure for different reasons, such as regulating negative affect or securing social approval. We found that individuals who were high in attachment-related anxiety avoided thrill and adventure seeking, perhaps because they also valued love over leisure activities. In addition, individuals high in attachment-related anxiety or avoidance engaged in leisure to gain social approval. Leisure activities were used to regulate negative affect about relationships for those high in attachment-related anxiety. Thus, consistent with Hazan and Shaver's (1990) findings for work, attachment orientations predict a different understanding of, and use of, leisure.
Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular risk

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a form of sleep disordered breathing characterized by episodes of apnea (during sleep) lasting at least 10 seconds per episode. The apneic periods are associated with arterial hypoxemia and disruption of normal sleep as a result of awakenings. It is increasingly being recognized that OSA is a public health hazard and there is increasing evidence that it is associated with an increase in morbidity (and possibly mortality). Patients with OSA also utilize the healthcare resources at higher rates than control patients long before their diagnosis is confirmed. Early recognition of this condition may lead to earlier treatments (eg, nasal CPAP) with reduction of the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, platelet activation and pulmonary hypertension.
Simplified Reference Tissue Model for PET Receptor Studies

The reference tissue model allows for quantification of receptor kinetics without measuring the arterial input function, thus avoiding arterial cannulation and time-consuming metabolite measurements. The model contains four parameters, of which the binding potential (BP) is the parameter of interest. Although BP is robust, convergence rates are slow and the other parameters can have large standard errors. To overcome this problem, a simplified reference tissue containing only three parameters was developed. This new three-parameter model was compared with the previous four-parameter model using a variety of PET studies: [11C]SCH 23390 (D1 receptor) and [11C]raclopride (D2 receptor) in humans, and [11C]SCH 23390, [11C]raclopride and [11C]RTI-121 (dopamine transporter) in rats. The BP values obtained from both models were essentially the same for all cases. In addition, the three-parameter model was insensitive to starting values, produced stable results for the other parameters (small standard errors), and converged rapidly. In conclusion, for the ligands tested the three-parameter model is a better choice, combining increased convergence rate with increased stability.
A longitudinal study of biochemical variables in women at risk of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to characterize gestational profiles of biochemical markers that are associated with preeclampsia in the blood of pregnant women in whom preeclampsia developed later and to compare these markers with the markers of women who were delivered of small-for-gestational-age infants without preeclampsia and with women who were at low risk for the development of preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective case control study. The subjects were women at risk of preeclampsia who were enrolled in the placebo arm of a clinical trial. Indices of antioxidant status, oxidative stress, placental and endothelial function, and serum lipid concentrations were evaluated from 20 weeks of gestation until delivery in 21 women in whom preeclampsia developed later, in 17 women without preeclampsia who were delivered of small-for-gestational-age infants, and in 27 women who were at low risk for the development of preeclampsia. RESULTS Ascorbic acid was reduced early in preeclampsia and small-for-gestational-age pregnancies. Leptin, placenta growth factor, the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1)/PAI-2 ratio, and uric acid were predictive of the development of preeclampsia. CONCLUSION Gestational profiles of several markers were abnormal in the group with preeclampsia, and some of the markers that may prove useful in the selective prediction of preeclampsia were identified.
Assessing the Effect of Inquiry-Based Professional Development on Science Achievement Tests Scores.

This study analyzed student test scores to determine if teacher participation in an inquiry-based professional development was able to make a statistically significant difference in student achievement levels. Test scores for objectives that assessed the critical thinking skills and problem-solving strategies modeled in a science inquiry institute were studied. Inquiry-based experiences are the cornerstones for meeting the science standards for scientific literacy. State mandated assessment tests measure the levels of student achievement and are reported as meeting minimum expectations or showing mastery for specific learning objectives. Students test scores from the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills Test (TAAS) for 8th grade science and the Biology End Of Course (EOC) exams were analyzed using ANCOVA, Chi Square, and Logistic Regression, with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) 7th Grade Science Subtest as covariate. It was hypothesized that the students of Inquiry Institute teachers would have higher scale scores and better rates of mastery on the critical thinking objectives than the students of non-Institute teachers. It was also hypothesized that it would be possible to predict student mastery on the objectives that assessed critical thinking and problem solving based on Institute participation. This quasi-experimental study did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The effects of inquiry-based professional development may not be determined by analyzing the results of the standardized tests currently being used in Texas. Inquiry training may make a difference, but because of factors such as the ceiling effect, insufficient time to implement the program, and test items that are intended to but do not address critical thinking skills, the TAAS and EOC tests may not accurately assess effects of the Inquiry Institute. The results of this study did indicate the best predictor of student mastery for the 8th grade science TAAS and Biology EOC may possibly be prior knowledge acquired in elementary school and as demonstrated on the 7th grade ITBS science subtest.
Automatisierte Programmierung von Robotern für Montageaufgaben

6. Sept. 2018 Beispielszenario der Roboterprogrammierung durch AR. Die automatische Erstellung des Roboterprogrammes erfolgt auf Basis einer der Benutzer einen Roboter für Montageaufgaben selbstständig programmieren, 20. Apr. 2016 Der Clou daran: Es soll komplett ohne Neuprogrammierung funktionieren. Man könnte es automatische Flexibilität nennen. einer genauen Beschreibung einer Montageaufgabe erhält der Roboter eine Liste der Teile und
Misperception in nationalization of the Suez Canal

The 1956 nationalization of the Suez Canal dispute, between Egypt and an alliance between the United States (US) and Britain, is modeled and analyzed within the paradigm of a first-level hypergame in graph form. The results reveal that Britain and US encountered a strategic surprise in the dispute on account of their failure to predict Egypt's action in nationalizing the Suez Canal. The equilibrium states of the dispute are analyzed to provide insights into the types of the misperceptions that caused the conflict, the possible decision makers' reactions after observing the equilibrium states, and the sustainability of the first-level hypergame equilibria. The analysis reveals substantial motivation for the United States and Britain to intensify the dispute to recapture the Suez Canal and to improve their situation.
AGILE: Elastic Distributed Resource Scaling for Infrastructure-as-a-Service

Dynamically adjusting the number of virtual machines (VMs) assigned to a cloud application to keep up with load changes and interference from other uses typically requires detailed application knowledge and an ability to know the future, neither of which are readily available to infrastructure service providers or application owners. The result is that systems need to be over-provisioned (costly), or risk missing their performance Service Level Objectives (SLOs) and have to pay penalties (also costly). AGILE deals with both issues: it uses wavelets to provide a medium-term resource demand prediction with enough lead time to start up new application server instances before performance falls short, and it uses dynamic VM cloning to reduce application startup times. Tests using RUBiS and Google cluster traces show that AGILE can predict varying resource demands over the medium-term with up to 3.42× better true positive rate and 0.34× the false positive rate than existing schemes. Given a target SLO violation rate, AGILE can efficiently handle dynamic application workloads, reducing both penalties and user dissatisfaction.
Analysis of nonmodal phonation using minimum entropy deconvolution

Nonmodal phonation occurs when glottal pulses exhibit nonuniform pulse-to-pulse characteristics such as irregular spacings, amplitudes, and/or shapes. The analysis of regions of such nonmodality has application to automatic speech, speaker, language, and dialect recognition. In this paper, we examine the usefulness of a technique called minimum-entropy deconvolution, or MED [1], for the analysis of pulse events in nonmodal speech. Our study presents evidence for both natural and synthetic speech that MED decomposes nonmodal phonation into a series of sharp pulses and a set of mixedphase impulse responses. We show that the estimated impulse responses are quantitatively similar to those in our synthesis model. A hybrid method incorporating aspects of both MED and linear prediction is also introduced. We show preliminary evidence that the hybrid method has benefit over MED alone for composite impulse-response estimation by being more robust to short-time windowing effects as well as a speech aspiration noise component. Index Terms: inverse filtering, nonmodal speech, glottal pulse, minimum entropy
Analyzing linguistic structure of web search queries

It is believed that Web search queries are becoming more structurally complex over time. However, there has been no systematic study that quantifies such characteristics. In this thesis, we propose that queries are evolving into a unique linguistic system. We demonstrate proof of this hypothesis by examining the structure of Web queries by applying well-established techniques from natural language understanding. Preliminary results of these experiments show quantitative and qualitative proof that queries are not just some form of text between random sequences of words and natural language - they have distinct properties of their own.