Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Constrained Tensor Factorization by Alternating Optimization with Primal-Dual Splitting

Tensor factorization with hard and/or soft constraints has played an important role in signal processing and data analysis. However, existing algorithms for constrained tensor factorization have two drawbacks: (i) they require matrix-inversion; and (ii) they cannot (or at least is very difficult to) handle structured regularizations. We propose a new tensor factorization algorithm that circumvents these drawbacks. The proposed method is built upon alternating optimization, and each subproblem is solved by a primal-dual splitting algorithm, yielding an efficient and flexible algorithmic framework to constrained tensor factorization. The advantages of the proposed method over a state-of-the-art constrained tensor factorization algorithm, called AO-ADMM, are demonstrated on regularized nonnegative tensor factorization.
High-resolution x-ray guided three-dimensional diffuse optical tomography of joint tissues in hand osteoarthritis: morphological and functional assessments.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of multimodality functional imaging techniques to identify the quantitative optical findings that can be used to distinguish between osteoarthritic and normal finger joints. METHODS Between 2006 and 2009, the distal interphalangeal finger joints from 40 female subjects including 22 patients and 18 healthy controls were examined clinically and scanned by a hybrid imaging system. This system integrated x-ray tomosynthetic setup with a diffuse optical imaging system. Optical absorption and scattering images were recovered based on a regularization-based hybrid reconstruction algorithm. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the statistical significance of specific optical features obtained from osteoarthritic and healthy joints groups. RESULTS The three-dimensional optical and x-ray images captured made it possible to quantify optical properties and joint space width of finger joints. Based on the recovered optical absorption and scattering parameters, the authors observed statistically significant differences between healthy and osteoarthritis finger joints. CONCLUSIONS The statistical results revealed that sensitivity and specificity values up to 92% and 100%, respectively, can be achieved when optical properties of joint tissues were used as classifiers. This suggests that these optical imaging parameters are possible indicators for diagnosing osteoarthritis and monitoring its progression.
Location Based Authentication

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A study of factors influencing prognosis after resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal and gastric carcinoma

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to determine the absolute contraindication for hepatic resection for colorectal metastases and investigate the value of hepatectomy for gastric metastases by comparing it with the results of colorectal metastases performed with the same criteria.METHODS:A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients undergoing hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal (n = 64) and gastric (n = 17) carcinomas. Common predictive factors for both metastases were analyzed by the stratified Cox proportional hazard model. In this model, the different baseline hazard was set for each disease, whereas the risk of each covariate was assumed to be equal in both gastric and colorectal metastases.RESULTS:Overall 1-, 2-, and 5-yr survival rates after hepatectomy for colorectal and gastric metastases were 90%, 73%, 42%, and 47%, 22%, 0%, respectively. Factors controlling prognosis were as follows: age ≥ 60, extrahepatic metastases, serosal invasion, grade of lymph node metastases, tumor cell differentiation of the primary lesion(s), carcinoembryonic antigen level, tumor-exposed surgical margin, and blood transfusion. In particular, presence of extrahepatic metastases showed the markedly high-risk ratio among these eight variables.CONCLUSIONS:Hepatectomy, if possible, is indicated in patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma if there are no extrahepatic metastases and if the primary disease is controlled. It is indicated only in carefully selected patients with metastases from gastric carcinoma.
A progressive scan CCD image sensor for DSC applications

A progressive-scan CCD image sensor with a standard double-layer polysilicon is designed on a new architecture of pixel interleaved array named PIACCD. The pixel layout is estimated to enlarge the saturation voltage by 1.3 times and heighten the sensitivity with the 1.4 times enlarged equilateral aperture opened above each photodiode. The three-dimensional simulation ensures that the unique electrode pattern layout has an advantage to accelerate the signal charge transfer. The pixel interleaved array heightens the resolution by 2/sup 1/2/ times in comparison with that of the same pixel number ITCCD in horizontal and vertical directions. The resolution characteristics fit to the fine pattern sensitivity of the human eye and the power spectrum distributions of nature scenes. The fabricated sensor, which has 2.4 Mpixels with 4.52 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ pixel size, has provided the 1.3 times sensitivity and the dynamic range of 71 dB. The reproduced image has verified the resolution of PIACCD 1.4 times higher than that of the same pixel number ITCCD.
A Missense Mutation in the Death Domain of EDAR Abolishes the Interaction with EDARADD and Underlies Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia

Background: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a rare condition characterized by hypotrichosis, hypohidrosis and hypodontia. The disease shows X-linked recessive, autosomal-dominant or autosomal-recessive inheritance trait. X-linked form of HED is caused by mutations in the EDA gene, while autosomal forms are caused by mutations in either EDAR or EDARADD genes. Methods: We analyzed the DNA from a Japanese patient with HED through direct sequencing, and also performed functional studies for the mutation. Results: We identified a homozygous missense mutation c.1073G>A (p.R358Q) in the EDAR gene of the patient, which was a nonconservative amino acid substitution within the death domain of EDAR protein. We demonstrated that the p.R358Q mutant EDAR protein lost its affinity to EDARADD, leading to reduced activation of the downstream NF-ĸB. Conclusion: Our data further suggest the crucial role of the EDAR signaling in development of hair, teeth, and sweat gland in humans.
Rapid Modulation of Distributed Brain Activity by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of Human Motor Cortex

This paper reviews the effects of single and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimuli (rTMS) delivered to one cortical area and measured across distributed brain regions using electrophysiological measures (e.g. motor thresholds, motor evoked potentials, paired-pulse stimulation), functional neuroimaging (including EEG, PET and fMRI) and behavioural measures. Discussion is restricted to changes in excitability in the primary motor cortex and behaviour during motor tasks following transcranial magnetic stimulation delivered to primary motor and premotor areas. Trains of rTMS have lasting effects on the excitability of intrinsic and corticofugal neurones, altering the responsiveness of local and remote sites. These effects lead to distributed changes in synaptic activity at rest, and during a range of motor tasks. It is possible to impair or improve performance following rTMS, but for most simple motor tasks performance is unaltered. Changes in distributed activity observed with functional imaging during motor behaviour may represent compensatory activity, enabling maintenance of performance; stimulation of additional cortical areas appears to impair performance. A detailed understanding of the distributed changes in excitability following rTMS may facilitate future attempts to modulate motor behaviour in the healthy brain and for therapeutic purposes.
Parametrized Fuzzy Numbers for Option Pricing

The growing interest, during the last years, in the managing of risk in financial markets has involved primarily the pricing models for derivatives. However some of these models seemed to be soon unsatisfactory due to the incapability to capture the relevant stylized facts of real markets. Many attempts of fuzzy models have been recently proposed in the literature, but they either have the disadvantage of requiring a large amount of computations (e.g. constrained optimization problems) or they suffer a relative rigidity in representing and capturing the shapes of the fuzzy quantities (data and/or results). The parametrized fuzzy numbers (LU-fuzzy representation) that we have introduced recently (in L. Stefanini, L.Sorini, M.L.Guerra, Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 2006) reveal their great flexibility and simplicity to model fuzzy financial quantities and information in option pricing (and other financial applications) and to perform quickly the required fuzzy calculus. An additional important advantage is that the overestimation effect, inherent to the use of the interval fuzzy arithmetic, is completely eliminated.
An approach of generic solution for humanoid stepping over motion

This paper deals with a novel solution for humanoid robots stepping over motion. It covers kinematics and dynamics problem, on the development of dynamically stable stepping over motion around an obstacle of any dimensions and configuration, between two generic footprints. The approach is solved taking into account the geometric constraints, by the use of oriented bounding boxes (OBB), the ZMP based and contact wrench dynamical constraints. This approach is validated successfully, by simulation and actual tests on the HRP-2 humanoid robot platform.
How to protect investors? A GA-based DWD approach for financial statement fraud detection

As one type of the financial fraud, financial statement fraud has not only led to a huge loss for individual investors and financial institutions, but also impacted the overall stability of the whole industry. This paper used financial and textual features extracted from annually submitted 10-k filings and combined data and text mining techniques for detection of financial statement fraud. When the dimension of samples is larger than the sample size, namely high dimension low sample size (HDLSS), distance weighted discrimination (DWD) model, which has a good generalization performance in HDLSS contexts, is used to detect financial statement fraud. We also adopted genetic algorithm to improve the performance of classifiers, including DWD, Support Vector Machine, Back Propagation Neural Networks and Decision Tree for feature selection and parameter optimization. Compared with other GA-based classification models, the proposed GA-based DWD model achieved relatively high classification accuracy with fewer input features, which proves that this model is a promising tool for detection of fraudulent financial statements.
Competition and the Pass-Through of Unconventional Monetary Policy: Evidence From TLTROs

We make use of an allocation rule by the ECB for Targeted Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (TLTROs) to provide causal evidence on the effect of unconventional monetary policy on the cost of loans to firms. Using transaction-level data from Italy’s Central Credit Register and a difference-in-difference identification strategy, we show that treated banks decrease loan rates to the same firm by approximately 20 basis points compared with control banks. We then study how the effects of the liquidity injection vary according to the competition in the banking sector, exploiting the local nature of bank-firm lending relationships and exogenous variations in the number of pawnshops across Italian cities during the Renaissance. Our results suggest that banks' market power can significantly impair the effectiveness of unconventional monetary policy, especially for safer and smaller firms.
A light distribution model for an internally radiating photobioreactor.

Analysis of light energy distribution in culture is important for maximizing the growth efficiency of photosynthetic cells and the productivity of a photobioreactor. To characterize the irradiance conditions in a photobioreactor, we developed a light distribution model for a single-radiator system and then extended the model to multiple radiators using the concept of parallel translation. Mathematical expressions for the local light intensity and the average light intensity were derived for a cylindrical photobioreactor with multiple internal radiators. The proposed model was used to predict the irradiance levels inside an internally radiating photobioreactor using Synechococcus sp. PCC 6301 as a model photosynthetic microorganism. The effects of cell density and radiator number were interpreted through photographic and model simulation studies. The predicted light intensity values were found to be very close to those obtained experimentally, which suggests that the proposed model is capable of accurately interpreting the local light energy profiles inside the photobioreactor system. Due to the simplicity and flexibility of the proposed model, it was also possible to predict the light conditions in other complex photobioreactors, including optical-fiber and pond-type photobioreactors.
Loss‐of‐function mutation in RUSC2 causes intellectual disability and secondary microcephaly

Inherited aberrancies in intracellular vesicular transport are associated with a variety of neurological and non‐neurological diseases. RUSC2 is a gene found on chromosome 9p13.3 that codes for iporin, a ubiquitous protein with high expression in the brain that interacts with Rab proteins (GTPases implicated in intracellular protein trafficking). Although mutations in Rab proteins have been described as causing brain abnormalities and intellectual disability, until now no disease‐causing mutations in RUSC2 have ever been reported in humans. We describe, to our knowledge for the first time, three patients with inherited homozygous nonsense mutations identified in RUSC2 on whole‐exome sequencing. All three patients had central hypotonia, microcephaly, and moderate to severe intellectual disability. Two patients had additional features of early‐onset epilepsy and absence of the splenium. This report adds to the ever‐expanding landscape of genetic causes of intellectual disability and increases our understanding of the cellular processes underlying this important neurological entity.
Consistency or Change in Nicotine Dependence According to the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence Over Three Years in a Population Sample

Abstract The goal was to determine whether nicotine dependence levels remain consistent or change over three years. From a population-based sample of 4075 residents aged 18-64, drawn at random, data of 696 individuals was used, who had smoked cigarettes for 21 years on average. Nicotine dependence was assessed by the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) at baseline, and 30 and 36 months later. In addition, nicotine dependence and alcohol dependence were diagnosed according to the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV). We found an increase in the FTND over 36 months. Subgroups were revealed with sustained high, increasing, decreasing, and sustained low rates of the FTND sum score. Male gender, age at onset of smoking 15 years or younger, DSM-IV nicotine dependence, and DSM-IV alcohol dependence at baseline predicted a sustained high FTND. We conclude that nicotine dependence is increasing even after many years of smoking in an adult population sample.
A Compact Triband Quad-Element MIMO Antenna Using SRR Ring for High Isolation

A compact multiband four port diversity-based antenna with high isolation between elements is proposed for multiple-input–multiple-output applications. The antenna resonates at following three bands: 1.95–2.5 GHz (covering UMTS, LTE 2300, and 2.4-GHz ISM bands), 3.15–3.85 GHz (covering WiMAX band), and 4.95–6.6 GHz (covering 5.2/5.8-GHz ISM bands). The stub-loaded meander-line antenna is loaded with split-ring resonators arranged in the form of a ring to enhance isolation by 17 dB at 2.4 GHz. All four elements radiate with equal efficiency with measured peak gains of 2.5, 3.7, and 4.4 dBi, respectively, in three bands and have a very low envelope correlation coefficient between elements. The overall size of the compact multiport antenna system is 0. 26λ × 0. 26λ × 0. 01λ with a minimum isolation of 22 dB between its elements. The antenna elements and the isolation enhancement structure are fully planar for an easier integration.
Growth factor-free and antimicrobial elastic nanocomposites for bone regeneration

I am deeply grateful to my advisor, Professor Nageh Allam. I am beyond thankful for the guidance, sincere advice, unconditional and constant support. Thank you for pushing me always forward to be a better person and scientist and for considering the education and the v research of your students as a priority. I also would like to thank Dr. Nasim Annabi for hosting me in her lab and for providing all the possible guidance and facilities I needed to complete my work as presented. I really enjoyed the learning experience I gained by being part of a top-notch research team. Furthermore, I am also thankful to Dr. Ahmed Yousef from the National Research Center (NRC), Egypt for his kind help in the very early phase of this work. I acknowledge the financial support I received from Al Ghurair Foundation for Education for funding my studies at AUC. In addition to the financial support I received from AUC in terms of conference and study abroad grants that definitely contributed towards finalizing this work in the best possible way. I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for the encouragement and support I received from my family without which I wouldn’t have been the person I am today. Thank you for believing in me. Finally, I greatly appreciate the fruitful discussions, trainings and support I received from my friends and colleagues at AUC, Boston and all members of EML and Annabi’s group specifically: Alaa Mohye, Mohammed Salama, Amgad Ouf, Ahmed Shehata, Nashat Ahmed, Mohammed Ramadan, Ahmed Khalifa, Kareem Kirallah, Marwan Yasser, Monira Yazeed, Alaa Ahmed, Amal Badr, Icell Sharf Eldin, Dr. Islam Khalil, Ehsan Shirzaei Sani, Noshine Zandi, Ebrahim Mostafavi, Dr. Habiba El fandi, Sarah Elmiligy and Radwa Hassan.
Research on the Travel Route Based on Optimization Schedule

In recent years, with the development of computer sciences, computer technology has been applied to comprehensive fields. As the quality of people's life increasing, tourism businesses are developing very fast in China, and new tourist attractions are coming out in many places. The management of the data becomes an interesting topic. When people travel they often need to search for the optimal combination of sight spots and the corresponding best travel tour, the shortest driving directions in detail between any two points, the best bus path between any two points in a city, and so on. Now people can get from a travel agency or search online in the web for tourism route, but these routes are usually not optimal and made from the experiences. There are also some services for people searching for the bus path in a city, but this is often limited, and does not work for any two points in a city. For the shortest driving directions between any two points, we still do not have this kind of services in the range of the whole country, though people in the U. S. Are used to searching online for driving directions before going out. In this paper, we try to solve all these problems. We propose several algorithms to design the optimal combination of sight spots by filtering tourist attractions, and the main method is by listing all maximal cliques. We then compute the optimal travel route on this combination. This will help people to choose their attractions pots to visit and get the best tour. For other problems which people often encounter in travelling such a show to get the shortest driving directions between any two points, and optimal bus path when using public transportations, we discuss the existing algorithms and propose the practical solutions. All algorithms proposed in this paper are suitable for large scale settings such as applying to millions of tourism sight spots to list all optimal tours etc. The key point is to deal with very large amount of data, for which we must adopt high performance computing. At the end of the paper,computational results are discussed and concluded that our algorithms and designs are suitable for real applications and this will make it much easier for peoples' life.
ECERIFERUM2-LIKE Proteins Have Unique Biochemical and Physiological Functions in Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acid Elongation1[OPEN]

An Arabidopsis protein that lacks enzymatic activity in long-chain fatty-acid condensation nonetheless affects chain length specificity of very-long-chain fatty acid elongation, which is important for cuticle and pollen coat function. The extension of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) for the synthesis of specialized apoplastic lipids requires unique biochemical machinery. Condensing enzymes catalyze the first reaction in fatty acid elongation and determine the chain length of fatty acids accepted and produced by the fatty acid elongation complex. Although necessary for the elongation of all VLCFAs, known condensing enzymes cannot efficiently synthesize VLCFAs longer than 28 carbons, despite the prevalence of C28 to C34 acyl lipids in cuticular wax and the pollen coat. The eceriferum2 (cer2) mutant of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) was previously shown to have a specific deficiency in cuticular waxes longer than 28 carbons, and heterologous expression of CER2 in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) demonstrated that it can modify the acyl chain length produced by a condensing enzyme from 28 to 30 carbon atoms. Here, we report the physiological functions and biochemical specificities of the CER2 homologs CER2-LIKE1 and CER2-LIKE2 by mutant analysis and heterologous expression in yeast. We demonstrate that all three CER2-LIKEs function with the same small subset of condensing enzymes, and that they have different effects on the substrate specificity of the same condensing enzyme. Finally, we show that the changes in acyl chain length caused by each CER2-LIKE protein are of substantial importance for cuticle formation and pollen coat function.