Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Classification under Covariate Shift with Application to Active Learning

In supervised machine learning, model performance can decrease significantly when the distribution generating the new data varies from the distribution that generated the training data. One of the situations is covariate shift which happens a lot when labeled training data is missing, hard to get access to or very expensive to uniformly collect. All (probabilistic) classifiers will suffer from covariate shift. This motivates our research. Generally, we try to answer this question: how can we deal with covariate shift and generate predictions that are robust and reliable? We propose to develop a general framework for classification under covariate shift that is robust, flexible and accurate.
An efficient approach for providing rationale of method change for object oriented programming

Software engineering requires modification of code during development and maintenance phase. During modification, a difficult task is to understand rationale of code changed by others. Present Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) attempt to help this by providing features integrated with different types of repositories. However, these features still consume developers' time as he has to switch from editor to another window for this purpose. Moreover, these features focus on elements available in present version of code, thus increasing the difficulty of finding rationale of an element removed or modified earlier. Leveraging different sources for providing information through code completion menus has been shown to be valuable, even when compared to standalone counterparts offering similar functionalities in literature. Literature also shows that it is one of the most used features for consuming information within IDE. Based on that, we prepare an Eclipse plug-in and a framework that allows providing reason of code change, at method granularity, across versions through a new code completion menu in IDE. These allow a software engineer to gain insight about rationale of removed or modified methods which are otherwise not available in present version of code. Professional software engineers participated in our empirical evaluation process and we observed that more than 80% participants considered this to be a useful approach for saving time and effort to understand rationale of method change.
Association between depressive symptoms and mortality risk in chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE Previous examinations of depression as a predictor of mortality in end-stage renal disease have yielded inconsistent findings. We sought to clarify the possible link with mortality by assessing depression at an earlier stage of renal impairment before the uremic disease state and depressive symptoms become highly confounded, and then following patients during the period of disease progression. DESIGN Prospective design using an assessment of depression before initiation of renal replacement therapy to predict mortality status an average of 81 months later in patients in the early stages of chronic kidney disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mortality status. RESULTS After controlling for relevant mortality risk factors (i.e., age, gender, presence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and potassium level), results of Cox regression analyses indicated that higher levels of nonsomatic depression symptoms were predictive of an increased mortality risk, χ²(1, N = 359) = 8.02, p = . 005. Patients with nonsomatic depression scores 1 SD above the mean had an estimated mortality rate 21.4% higher than average scorers in this sample. CONCLUSION Clinical implications of these findings point to the importance of assessment and treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Nonlinear Interferometry with Bose-Einstein Condensates

We analyze a proposed experiment [Boixo et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 040403 (2008)] for achieving sensitivity scaling better than 1/N in a nonlinear Ramsey interferometer that uses a two-mode Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of N atoms. We present numerical simulations that confirm the analytical predictions for the effect of the spreading of the BEC ground-state wave function on the ideal 1/N^(3/2) scaling. Numerical integration of the coupled, time-dependent, two-mode Gross-Pitaevskii equations allows us to study the several simplifying assumptions made in the initial analytic study of the proposal and to explore when they can be justified. In particular, we find that the two modes share the same spatial wave function for a length of time that is sufficient to run the metrology scheme.
Beyond the Target Customer: Social Effects of CRM Campaigns

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) campaigns have traditionally focused on maximizing the profitability of the targeted customers. In this paper we investigate the social effects of CRM campaigns. We demonstrate that, in business settings that are characterized by network externalities, a CRM campaign that is aimed at changing the behavior of specific customers propagates through the social network, thereby also affecting the behavior of non-targeted customers. Using a randomized field experiment involving nearly 6,000 customers of a mobile telecommunications provider, we find that the social connections of targeted customers increase their consumption and are less likely to churn due to a campaign that was neither targeted at them nor offered them any direct incentives. We estimate a social multiplier of 1.28. That is, the effect of the campaign on first-degree connections of targeted customers is 28% of the effect of the campaign on the targeted customers. By further leveraging the randomized experimental design we show that, consistent with a network externality account, the increase in activity among the non-targeted but connected customers is driven by the increase in communication between the targeted customers and their connections, making the local network of the non-targeted customers more valuable. Our findings suggest that in targeting CRM marketing campaigns, firms should consider not only the profitability of the targeted customer, but also the potential spillover of the campaign to non-targeted but connected customers.
Adaptive distributed beamforming and jamming in DF relay networks for physical layer secrecy

In this paper, we propose a joint distributed beamforming and jamming scheme in decode-and-forward (DF) relay networks to physical layer secrecy. Considering the special property of DF relay networks, where only the relays decoding the message from source correctly have to join in the forwarding phase, we let the relays decoding successfully perform distributed beamforming to transmit information signals and the left relays decoding in error transmit jamming signals to improve the system secrecy capacity. For this purpose, we design a CVX toolbox based bi-level optimization algorithm to search the optimal beamforming vector and jamming vector for the relays via the semi-definite relaxation (SDR). Finally, the simulation results show that the proposed scheme outperforms existing secrecy schemes in DF relay networks.
Epidermal growth factor receptor as a therapeutic target in head and neck cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a cell membrane protein that is overexpressed in almost all head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Overexpression of EGFR has been associated with a poor prognosis in head and neck tumors as well as many other malignancies. This cell membrane protein has been considered an excellent choice as an antitumor therapeutic target. Preclinical and clinical investigations are currently underway to determine the most appropriate use of anti-EGFR therapies. IMC-C225 is a monoclonal antibody that blocks EGFR function and has shown promising radiosensitizing and chemosensitizing properties in preclinical studies. Additionally, initial phase I/II clinical studies of IMC-C225 in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy have suggested that the preclinical findings may translate into promising clinical results in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Therefore, patients with head and neck carcinomas are being evaluated in phase III studies exploring the combination of IMC-C225 and radiation as well as the combination of IMC-C225 and cisplatin in locally advanced and recurrent disease.
The Nuṣayrī-ʿAlawīs: An Introduction to the Religion, History, and Identity of the Leading Minority in Syria

̇ na) imposed by the Caliph al-Maʾmūn on civil servants to test their acceptance, and punish the lack thereof, of the doctrine of the created Qurʾān, which was also a Muʿtazilı̄ doctrine but opposed by popular Muslim piety – most notably by Ah ̇ mad ibn H ̇ anbal (d. 241/855). Some scholars of Islamic theology may not agree with all of Hildenbrandt’s analyses and conclusions. Nonetheless, he has presented intellectual historians and students of comparative theology with a tour de force that brings into sharper focus an intellectual debate in modern Islam, making a compelling case for modern Muslim engagement with the Muʿtazilite heritage.
Issues of spectral quality in clinical 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a gallery of artifacts

In spite of the facts that magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is applied as clinical tool in non‐specialized institutions and that semi‐automatic acquisition and processing tools can be used to produce quantitative information from MRS exams without expert information, issues of spectral quality and quality assessment are neglected in the literature of MR spectroscopy. Even worse, there is no consensus among experts on concepts or detailed criteria of quality assessment for MR spectra. Furthermore, artifacts are not at all conspicuous in MRS and can easily be taken for true, interpretable features. This article aims to increase interest in issues of spectral quality and quality assessment, to start a larger debate on generally accepted criteria that spectra must fulfil to be clinically and scientifically acceptable, and to provide a sample gallery of artifacts, which can be used to raise awareness for potential pitfalls in MRS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Invariant Texture Matching and Wide Baseline Stereo

We describe and demonstrate a texture region descriptor which is invariant to affine geometric and photometric transformations, and insensitive to the shape of the texture region. It is applicable to texture patches which are locally planar and have stationary statistics. The novelty of the descriptor is that it is based on statistics aggregated over the region, resulting in richer and more stable descriptors than those computed at a point. Two texture matching applications of this descriptor are demonstrated: (1) it is used to automatically identify regions of the same type of texture, but with varying surface pose, within a single image; (2) it is used to support wide baseline stereo, i.e. to enable the automatic computation of the epipolar geometry between two images acquired from quite separated viewpoints. Results are presented on several sets of real images.
Freda DeKeyser Ganz Tend and Befriend in the Intensive Care Unit

mental well-being. The physiological response to stress was first described by Walter Cannon, who termed the response, “fight or flight. ” It was thought that the multisystem response to a perceived stressor was intended to prepare the body to either fight the opponent or flee. This physiological response was first studied in animals and was then found in humans, even though humans do not usually fight or flee in response to stress. The sympathetic nervous system is activated in response to stress, whereby catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) are either directly released by end organs or indirectly released via the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream. The result is a biobehavioral response that can include arousal, anxiety, aggression, elevated blood glucose levels, and increased cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neuroendocrine activity. Acute stress also increases immune function, possibly to prepare the individual for possible wound healing and future infection. Selye expanded upon this mechanism. He concluded that the body adapts to all types of stress in a nonspecific manner and called his theory the General Adaptation Syndrome. Freda DeKeyser Ganz, RN, PhD Tend and Befriend in the Intensive Care Unit
TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF GOBLET CELLS AND MUCIN GENE EXPRESSION IN MURINE MODELS OF ALLERGIC ASTHMA

In murine models of allergic asthma, mice repeatedly exposed to allergens or interleukin (IL)13 have numerous goblet cells in their airway epithelium, in contrast to healthy naïve mice. This study evaluated whether a single airway exposure of ovalbumin or IL13 would produce goblet cell metaplasia. Following ovalbumin challenge, airway goblet cells were present by 1 day, increased further by day 2 and day 3, and decreased by day 8. Following IL13 exposure, some goblet cells were detected at 6 hours and increased by 18 and 48 hours. Goblet transition cells, which are morphologically but not histologically similar to goblet cells, were observed at 6 and 18 hours following IL13 exposure and day 1 following ovalbumin challenge. Increased Muc5ac and Muc2 mRNA expressionoccurred following ovalbumin or IL13, but not saline, exposure. Mucin transcripts were localized to goblet cells in the surface airway epithelium. Muc5ac protein was expressed in some goblet transition and goblet cells. Overall, these data demonstrated that a single airway exposure to ovalbumin or IL13 is sufficient to generate goblet cell metaplasia and thus increase mucin gene expression in two strains of mice.
Führung und Zusammenarbeit : Eine unternehmerische Führungslehre

Die Anforderungen, die der globale Wettbewerb, neue Strategien, Werthaltungen und Umwelteinflusse stellen, behandelt Rolf Wunderer mit zwei kritischen Erfolgsgrossen: Fuhrung und Zusammenarbeit. In zeitgemass und effizient gefuhrten Organisationen mussen Fuhrungskrafte heute Mitarbeiter wert-, ziel- und ergebnisorientiert fuhren, aber auch mit ihnen kooperativ zusammenarbeiten konnen. Wunderer prasentiert in diesem Nachschlagewerk eine moderne Fuhrungslehre, die sich dem internen Unternehmertum verpflichtet weiss. Die Zielsetzung lautet: Mitwissen und Mitdenken, Mitfuhlen und Mitverantworten, Mithandeln und Mitbeteiligen von Fuhrungskraften und Mitarbeitern verstarken. Neueste Forschungsergebnisse werden dabei ebenso fundiert und ubersichtlich prasentiert wie moderne Instrumente zur Fuhrung und Zusammenarbeit: - Konzeptionelle, theoretische und empirische Grundlagen - Vom Mitarbeiter zum Mitunternehmer - ein Transformationskonzept - Werte- und kulturorientierte Fuhrung - Unternehmerische Identifikation, Motivation und Remotivierung - Gestaltung der Fuhrungs- und Kooperationsbeziehungen - Funktionen und Instrumente fur Fuhrung und Kooperation - Entwicklungstendenzen in der Mitarbeiterfuhrung
Prediction of Multilocus Identity-by-Descent

Previous studies have enabled exact prediction of probabilities of identity-by-descent (IBD) in random-mating populations for a few loci (up to four or so), with extension to more using approximate regression methods. Here we present a precise predictor of multiple-locus IBD using simple formulas based on exact results for two loci. In particular, the probability of non-IBD XABC at each of ordered loci A, B, and C can be well approximated by XABC = XABXBC/XB and generalizes to X123…k = X12X23…Xk−1,k/Xk−2, where X is the probability of non-IBD at each locus. Predictions from this chain rule are very precise with population bottlenecks and migration, but are rather poorer in the presence of mutation. From these coefficients, the probabilities of multilocus IBD and non-IBD can also be computed for genomic regions as functions of population size, time, and map distances. An approximate but simple recurrence formula is also developed, which generally is less accurate than the chain rule but is more robust with mutation. Used together with the chain rule it leads to explicit equations for non-IBD in a region. The results can be applied to detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) by computing the probability of IBD at candidate loci in terms of identity-by-state at neighboring markers.
Magnetic integration for interleaved converters

In this paper several techniques for integration of magnetic components in interleaved converters are analyzed. Magnetic components define the way the energy is transformed. Several opposite approaches can be considered: from decoupled integrated inductors to tightly coupled inductors. The integration of inductors in the same core for multiphase converters is especially analyzed from the point of view of size, losses and coupling.
Novel multipactor studies in RF satellite payloads: Single-carrier digital modulated signals and ferrite materials

In this work it is reviewed the most novel advances in the multipactor RF breakdown risk assessment devoted to RF satellite microwave passive devices employed in space telecommunication systems. On one side, it is studied the effect of transmitting a single-carrier digital modulated signal in the multipactor RF voltage threshold in a coaxial line. On the other hand, an analysis of the multipactor phenomenon in a parallel-plate waveguide containing a magnetized ferrite slab it is presented.
Modification of Glial Response in Hibernation

Hibernation is a dormant state of some animal species that enables them to survive harsh environmental conditions during the winter seasons. In the hibernating state, preservation of neuronal rhythmic activity at a low level is necessary for maintenance of suspended forms of behavior. As glial cells support rhythmic activity of neurons, preservation of brain function in the hibernating state implies accompanying modification of glial activity. A supportive role of glia in regulating neuronal activity is reflected through the activity of inwardly rectifying K+ channels (Kir). Therefore, we examined electrophysiological response, particularly Kir current response, of glial cells in mixture with neurons acutely isolated from active and hibernating land snail Helix pomatia. Our data show that hibernated glia have significantly lower inward current density, specific membrane conductance, and conductance density compared with active glia. The observed reduction could be attributed to the Kir currents, since the Ba2+-sensitive Kir current density was significantly lower in hibernated glia. Accordingly, a significant positive shift of the current reversal potential indicated a more depolarized state of hibernated glia. Data obtained show that modification of glial current response could be regulated by serotonin (5-HT) through an increase of cGMP as a secondary messenger, since extracellular addition of 5-HT or intracellular administration of cGMP to active glia induced a significant reduction of inward current density and thus mimicked the reduced response of hibernated glia. Lower Kir current density of hibernated glia accompanied the lower electrical activity of hibernated neurons, as revealed by a decrease in neuronal fast inward Na+ current density. Our findings reveal that glial response is reduced in the hibernating state and suggest seasonal modulation of glial activity. Maintenance of low glial activity in hibernation could be important for preservation of brain rhythmic activity and survival of the animal.
An approach to a virtual learning environment through a game

The traditional notion of a learning environment has expanded to cover virtual spaces. Today, these extremely popular virtual learning environments are often network-based and readily accessible to a certain group of students. These considerations have inspired the present project that has produced a 3D virtual learning environment with the aim of providing a space for learning activities. The games designed for this space offer challenges the players try to solve as a team. They emphasize group work skills, group interaction, and cooperation in various conflict situations that have to be negotiated inside the virtual world. Historical information plays a key role in gameplay and thus the learning experience is integrated into the events of the games, making learning fun. The environment does not contain violent or destructive elements, and therefore it is suitable for children of all ages and both sexes.
A Syntaxin Homolog Encoded by VAM3 Mediates Down-regulation of a Yeast G Protein-coupled Receptor*

G protein-coupled receptors that transduce signals for many hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory mediators are internalized and subsequently recycled to the plasma membrane, or down-regulated by targeting to lysosomes for degradation. Here we have characterized yeast α-factor receptors tagged with green fluorescent protein (Ste2-GFP) and used them to obtain mutants defective in receptor down-regulation. In wild type cells, Ste2-GFP was functional and localized to the plasma membrane and endocytic compartments. Although GFP was fused to the cytoplasmic tail of the receptor, GFP also accumulated in the lumen of the vacuole, suggesting that the receptor’s extracellular and cytoplasmic domains are degraded within the vacuole lumen. Transposon mutagenesis and a visual screen were used to identify mutants displaying aberrant localization of Ste2-GFP. Mutants that accumulated Ste2-GFP in numerous intracellular vesicles carried disruptions of the VAM3/PTH1 gene, which encodes a syntaxin homolog (t-SNARE) required for homotypic vacuole membrane fusion, autophagy and fusion of biosynthetic transport vesicles with the vacuole. We provide evidence that Vam3 is required for the delivery of α-factor receptor-ligand complexes to the vacuole. Vam3 homologs in mammalian cells may mediate late steps in the down-regulation and lysosomal degradation pathways of various G protein-coupled receptors.
Enhanced methamphetamine metabolism in rhesus macaque as compared to human: An analysis using a novel LCMS/MS method, kinetic study, and substrate docking

Methamphetamine (MA), which remains one of the widely used drugs of abuse, is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family of enzymes in humans. However, metabolism of methamphetamine in macaques is poorly understood. Therefore, we first developed and validated a very sensitive LC-MS/MS method using solid phase extraction of rhesus plasma with a lower limit of quantitation at 1.09 ng/mL for MA and its metabolites, 4-hydroxy methamphetamine (4-OHMA), amphetamine (AM), 4-OH amphetamine (4-OHAM), and norephedrine. We then analyzed plasma samples of MA-treated rhesus, which showed >10-fold higher concentrations of AM (~29 ng/mL) and 4-OHAM (~28 ng/mL) than MA (~2 ng/mL). Since the plasma levels of MA metabolites in rhesus were much higher than in human samples, we examined MA metabolism in human and rhesus microsomes. Interestingly, the results showed that AM and 4-OHAM were formed more rapidly and the catalytic efficiency (V max /K m ) for the formation of AM was ~8-fold higher in rhesus than in human microsomes. We further examined the differences in these kinetic characteristics using three selective inhibitors of each human CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 enzymes. The results showed that each of these inhibitors inhibited both d- and l- MA metabolism by 20-60% in human microsomes, but not in rhesus microsomes. The differences between human and rhesus CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 enzymes were further assessed by docking studies for both d-and l- MA. In conclusion, our results demonstrated an enhanced MA metabolism in rhesus compared to human, which is likely to be caused by differences in MA-metabolizing CYP-enzymes between these species. These suggest that MA is first metabolized to AM through AM AM. addition,