Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Goal-Oriented Bayesian Inference: Application to Carbon Capture and Storage

In many engineering problems, unknown parameters of a model are inferred in order to make predictions, to design controllers, or to optimize the model. When parameters are distributed (continuous) or very high-dimensional (discrete) and quantities of interest are low-dimensional, parameters need not be fully resolved to make accurate estimates of quantities of interest. In this work, we extend goal-oriented inference---the process of estimating predictions from observed data without resolving the parameter, previously justified theoretically in the linear setting---to Bayesian statistical inference problem formulations with nonlinear experimental and prediction processes. We propose to learn the joint density of data and predictions offline using Gaussian mixture models. When data are observed online, we condition the representation to arrive at a probabilistic description of predictions given observed data. Our approach enables real-time estimation of uncertainty in quantities of interest and renders tra.
Ex vivo comparison of three surgical techniques to stabilize canine cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifles.

OBJECTIVE To quantify and compare canine stifle stability after 3 stabilization techniques. STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled study. SAMPLE POPULATION Adult canine cadaveric pelvic limbs. METHODS Total craniocaudal (CrCa) tibial translation quantified in stifles with the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) intact, transected, and stabilized with 1 of 3 techniques: (1) hamstring graft (HG); (2) modified retinacular imbrication (MRIT); (3) anatometric fascia lata translocation (AFLT). Tibial translation was quantified from radiographs generated during application of cranial and caudal forces to the tibia. After removal of all soft tissues except periarticular ligaments and fixation, CrCa tibial translation, as before, and medial-lateral rotation, via torsional loading, was quantified with an active motion analysis system. Total tibial translation was evaluated for effect of technique and cruciate status using mixed effect linear model with significance considered at P-value <. 05. RESULTS CrCa translation was not significantly different across stabilization techniques with CrCLs intact, transected, or after stabilization. Poststabilization translation was significantly less than posttransection for all techniques. Compared with the intact CrCL, CrCa translation poststabilization after HG was significantly greater whereas poststabilization after MRIT and AFLT was not significantly different. Tibial rotation exceeded instrumentation limits in 62.5% HG limbs, 20% MRIT limbs, and 60% AFLT limbs. CONCLUSIONS All 3 stifle stabilization techniques confer comparable CrCa translational stability after CrCL disruption with that provided by the MRIT and AFLT techniques comparable to the intact CrCL. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The extra- and intracapsular techniques evaluated in this study reduced CrCa tibial translation in CrCL deficient stifles to varying amounts.
Boosting textual compression in optimal linear time

We provide a general boosting technique for Textual Data Compression. Qualitatively, it takes a good compression algorithm and turns it into an algorithm with a better compression performance guarantee. It displays the following remarkable properties: (a) it can turn any memoryless compressor into a compression algorithm that uses the “best possible” contexts; (b) it is very simple and optimal in terms of time; and (c) it admits a decompression algorithm again optimal in time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first boosting technique displaying these properties.Technically, our boosting technique builds upon three main ingredients: the Burrows--Wheeler Transform, the Suffix Tree data structure, and a greedy algorithm to process them. Specifically, we show that there exists a proper partition of the Burrows--Wheeler Transform of a string s that shows a deep combinatorial relation with the kth order entropy of s. That partition can be identified via a greedy processing of the suffix tree of s with the aim of minimizing a proper objective function over its nodes. The final compressed string is then obtained by compressing individually each substring of the partition by means of the base compressor we wish to boost.Our boosting technique is inherently combinatorial because it does not need to assume any prior probabilistic model about the source emitting s, and it does not deploy any training, parameter estimation and learning. Various corollaries are derived from this main achievement. Among the others, we show analytically that using our booster, we get better compression algorithms than some of the best existing ones, that is, LZ77, LZ78, PPMC and the ones derived from the Burrows--Wheeler Transform. Further, we settle analytically some long-standing open problems about the algorithmic structure and the performance of BWT-based compressors. Namely, we provide the first family of BWT algorithms that do not use Move-To-Front or Symbol Ranking as a part of the compression process.
Effects of building shapes on path loss up to 37 GHz band in street microcell environments

Measurement results of path loss characteristics up to 37 GHz band in street microcell environments are described. Ray tracing is used to analyze the effects of building shapes on path loss characteristics at an intersection. A comparison between measured and calculated results clarified the dominant paths in which specular reflection from a chamfered shaped building contributes the power. The results show that the median prediction error value ranged from about 4.1 to 7.0 dB for bands between 2.2 and 37.1 GHz. This confirms that the building shapes significantly affect the path loss characteristics in NLOS street microcell environments.
Orthography and Biblical Criticism

Biblical Hebrew exhibits considerable orthographic variability. A single word may be spelled in multiple ways—often within the same book. In this study, we set out to determine if these differences in spelling correspond in any way to scholarly theories regarding the authorship of the Pentateuch. Our results indicate that despite the tortuous editing processes and countless generations of hand-copied manuscripts, certain statistically significant correlations between orthography and the hypothesized sources remain.
The clipmap: a virtual mipmap

We describe the clipmap, a dynamic texture representation that efficiently caches textures of arbitrarily large size in a finite amount of physical memory for rendering at real-time rates. Further, we describe a software system for managing clipmaps that supports integration into demanding real-time applications. We show the scale and robustness of this integrated hardware/software architecture by reviewing an application virtualizing a 170 gigabyte texture at 60 Hertz. Finally, we suggest ways that other rendering systems may exploit the concepts underlying clipmaps to solve related problems. CR
Primary Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma of the Retroperitoneum: Prognostic Significance of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features

Objectives To describe computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and to determine the prognostic significance of radiologic appearances in primary dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the retroperitoneum. Methods Initial CT and MR imaging studies of 20 pathologically confirmed cases of primary dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the retroperitoneum were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for correlations with the histopathologic features. CT and MR images were evaluated by 2 radiologists with agreement by consensus, and univariate analyses were conducted to evaluate survival with a mean clinical follow-up duration of 47 months (range, 5–114 months). Results Tumor invasion was more frequent in the anterior or posterior pararenal originating tumors than in pararenal tumors (P < 0.05). Well-defined nonlipomatous masses juxtaposed with fatty tumors were identified in all cases. Calcification or ossification was seen in 6 patients (30%) on unenhanced CT. Imaging findings including attenuation, signal characteristics, and enhancement patterns of nonlipomatous masses were nonspecific regardless of histologic variances. Recurrent tumors (n = 6) tended to invade surrounding organs. Univariate analysis revealed that calcification or ossification (P < 0.05) and first recurrence with duration of a mean 13 months (P < 0.05) identified by imaging studies had significant impacts on overall survival. Conclusions Calcification or ossification and first recurrence identified by CT and MR imaging studies are significant adverse prognostic factors in primary dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the retroperitoneum.
Cadmium uptake and defense mechanism in insect cells.

The uptake of cadmium and the defense mechanism against this heavy metal were studied in the Aedes albopictus C6/36 cell line. The internalization of cadmium was a very quick process and exhibited saturation kinetics over the metal concentration gradient (1.37 to 131 micromol/L). Cd toxicity and influx were both shown to be temperature dependent. The uptake was not influenced by a 2, 4-dinitrophenol pretreatment but was significantly decreased by the Ca2+ antagonist verapamil. These data suggest that cadmium is readily taken up through mediated transport, not requiring metabolic energy. A considerable amount of the metal passes through the Ca2+ channels, but probably (an)other transporting molecule(s) also play(s) an important role in the uptake process. The remarkable, nonsigmoid viability pattern of Cd-treated cultures suggests that CdCl2 concentrations above 33 micromol/L induce a cellular defense system. This phenomenon went together with increased protein synthesis. We found a major induction of a group consisting of 71-, 75-, and 78-kDa proteins, probably belonging to the HSP70 family, as similar proteins were induced by heat shock. A slight induction of a 120-kDa protein also occurred. At the highest Cd concentrations 98-, 108-, and 110-kDa proteins were induced. These data suggest that heat shock proteins may play an important role in the Aedes cell protection against Cd insult.
Infectious Foci Imaging with Targeting Radiopharmaceuticals in Nuclear Medicine

Despite the advances in public health during the 18th and 19th centuries and the introduc‐ tion of immunization and antibiotics in the 20th century, bacterial infection is among the most frequently encountered and costly causes of diseases and one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries (El-Ghany et al., 2005). Localiz‐ ing and distinguishing the “infection foci” in body sites are very important and life saving processes. The identification of an infection at early stage of disease is critical for a favorable outcome. The diagnosis of deep seated infections such as osteomyelitis, endocarditis and in‐ tra-abdominal abscesses is still a challenging problem. Although imaging techniques such as x-ray, computerized tomography (CT-scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultraso‐ nography (US) might be helpful, but none of these techniques are specific for infection diag‐ nosis because of their limitations due to insignificant anatomical changes in the early stages of the infection process. In addition, these techniques are not capable of differentiating be‐ tween inflammatory and infectious processes. In contrast, nuclear medicine procedures can determine the location and the degree of disease activity in infectious processes based on physiologic and/or metabolic changes that are associated with these diseases rather than gross changes in the structure (Hall et al., 1998). This method requires a reliable radiophar‐ maceutical that can selectively concentrate in sites of infection. Various 99mTc-labeled com‐ pounds have been developed for the scintigraphic detection of infection and sterile inflammation in humans. Unfortunately, these radiopharmaceuticals do not discriminate be‐ tween infection and sterile inflammatory process, which is often of clinical importance (Welling et al., 2001). In recent years, the development of radiolabeled antimicrobial agents for specific diagnosis of infection has received considerable attention, sparking a lively de‐ bate about the infection specificity of these radiopharmaceuticals (Oyen et al., 2005). Direct
The Hollywood Robot Syndrome media effects on older adults' attitudes toward robots and adoption intentions

Do portrayals of robots in popular films influence older adults' robot anxiety and adoption intentions? Informed by cultivation theory, disposition theory and the technology acceptance model, the current survey (N = 379) examined how past exposure to robots in the media affect older adults' (Mage = 66) anxiety towards robots and their subsequent perceptions of robot usefulness, ease of use, and adoption intentions. The results of a structural equation model (SEM) analysis indicate that the higher the number of media portrayals recalled, the lower the anxiety towards robots. Furthermore, recalling robots with a human-like appearance or robots that elicit greater feelings of sympathy was related to more positive attitudes towards robots. Theoretical and practical implications of these results for the design of socially assistive robots for older adults are discussed.
Military Expenditure, Arms Imports and Third World Debt During the 1980s

One of the ‘costs’ of military imports and military expenditures by developing countries occurs to the extent that these are financed by incurring foreign debt. This article estimates that, for 61 severely and moderately indebted developing countries, military imports during the 1980s were equivalent to about 28% of new foreign debt incurred. When military expenditures as a whole are examined, the proportion is around 77%. Had these countries made no military expenditures during the 1980s, they could have borrowed very little and/or allocated far more of the borrowed resources to productive purposes, thus making future debt servicing burdens much lighter and/or easier to meet.
An Improved Magma Gemm For Fermi Graphics Processing Units

We present an improved matrix—matrix multiplication routine (General Matrix Multiply [GEMM]) in the MAGMA BLAS library that targets the NVIDIA Fermi graphics processing units (GPUs) using Compute Unified Data Architecture (CUDA). We show how to modify the previous MAGMA GEMM kernels in order to make a more efficient use of the Fermi’s new architectural features, most notably their extended memory hierarchy and memory sizes. The improved kernels run at up to 300 GFlop/s in double precision and up to 645 GFlop/s in single precision arithmetic (on a C2050), which is correspondingly 58% and 63% of the theoretical peak. We compare the improved kernels with the currently available version in CUBLAS 3.1. Further, we show the effect of the new kernels on higher-level dense linear algebra (DLA) routines such as the one-sided matrix factorizations, and compare their performances with corresponding, currently available routines running on homogeneous multicore systems.
Event Retrieval in Large Video Collections with Circulant Temporal Encoding

This paper presents an approach for large-scale event retrieval. Given a video clip of a specific event, eg, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the goal is to retrieve other videos representing the same event from a dataset of over 100k videos. Our approach encodes the frame descriptors of a video to jointly represent their appearance and temporal order. It exploits the properties of circulant matrices to compare the videos in the frequency domain. This offers a significant gain in complexity and accurately localizes the matching parts of videos. Furthermore, we extend product quantization to complex vectors in order to compress our descriptors, and to compare them in the compressed domain. Our method outperforms the state of the art both in search quality and query time on two large-scale video benchmarks for copy detection, Trecvid and CCWeb. Finally, we introduce a challenging dataset for event retrieval, EVVE, and report the performance on this dataset.
Co-design of control algorithm and embedded platform for building HVAC systems

The design of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is crucial for reducing energy consumption in buildings. As complex cyber-physical systems, HVAC systems involve three closely-related subsystems - the control algorithm, the physical building and environment and the embedded implementation platform. In the traditional top-down approach, the control algorithm and the embedded platform are in general designed separately leading to suboptimal systems. We propose a co-design approach that analyzes the interaction between the control algorithm and the embedded platform through a set of interface variables (in this paper we address in particular sensing accuracy). We present six control algorithms that take into account the sensing error, and model the relation of control performance and cost versus sensing error. We also capture the relation of embedded platform cost versus sensing error by analysis of the collected data from a test bed. Based on these models, we explore the co-design of the control algorithm and the temperature sensing subsystem of the embedded platform to optimize with respect to energy cost and monetary cost while satisfying the constraints for user comfort level.
Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology Dovepress Molecular Pathways in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological change characterized by the accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes and has frequently been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. It is an increasingly recognized condition that has become the most common liver disorder in developed countries, affecting over one-third of the population and is associated with increased cardiovascular-and liver-related mortality. NAFLD is a spectrum of disorders, beginning as simple steatosis. In about 15% of all NAFLD cases, simple steatosis can evolve into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, a medley of inflammation, hepatocellular injury, and fibrosis, often resulting in cirrhosis and even hepatocellular cancer. However, the molecular mechanism underlying NAFLD progression is not completely understood. Its pathogenesis has often been interpreted by the " double-hit " hypothesis. The primary insult or the " first hit " includes lipid accumulation in the liver, followed by a " second hit " in which proinflammatory mediators induce inflammation, hepatocellular injury, and fibrosis. Nowadays, a more complex model suggests that fatty acids (FAs) and their metabolites may be the true lipotoxic agents that contribute to NAFLD progression; a multiple parallel hits hypothesis has also been suggested. In NAFLD patients, insulin resistance leads to hepatic steatosis via multiple mechanisms. Despite the excess hepatic accumulation of FAs in NAFLD, it has been described that not only de novo FA synthesis is increased, but FAs are also taken up from the serum. Furthermore, a decrease in mitochondrial FA oxidation and secretion of very-low-density lipoproteins has been reported. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathophysiological changes of hepatic lipid metabolism that contribute to NAFLD.
14‐3‐3γ Is upregulated by in vitro ischemia and binds to protein kinase Raf in primary cultures of astrocytes

The 14‐3‐3 protein family comprises critical regulatory molecules involved in signaling during cell division, proliferation, and apoptosis. Despite extensive study, the functions of the 14‐3‐3 proteins in brain remain unclear. 14‐3‐3γ, a subtype of the 14‐3‐3 family of proteins, was thought to be brain‐ and neuron‐specific. Using RNA arbitrarily primed PCR, we identified an upregulated cDNA fragment of the 14‐3‐3γ gene in primary cultures of astrocytes. Using Northern blot analysis, we confirmed this fragment was brain‐specific. In cultures of astrocytes, 14‐3‐3γ genes and proteins were differentially expressed at different ages and the proteins were distributed only in the cytoplasm. These results indicated that 14‐3‐3γ was not neuron‐specific but also expressed in astrocytes. The function of this protein in brain is unclear. Northern and Western blot analyses demonstrated that 14‐3‐3γ mRNA and protein were upregulated in cultured astrocytes in an anaerobic chamber‐induced ischemia model. The induction of 14‐3‐3γ proteins was neither suppressed by an MAP kinase inhibitor (U0126) nor a PI‐3 kinase inhibitor (LY294002). These data indicated that induction of 14‐3‐3γ might not involve PI‐3 and MAP kinase‐dependent pathways. Using coimmunoprecipitation, we demonstrated that endogenous 14‐3‐3γ bound to c‐Raf‐1 and p‐Raf 259. As Raf is one of the critical serine/threonine kinases controlling cell growth, differentiation, and death, the binding of 14‐3‐3γ to Raf indicates the critical role of this protein in ischemia‐induced apoptosis and the changes in signal transduction in astrocytes in culture. GLIA 42:315–324, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative Analysis of Methane-Oxidizing Archaea and Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Anoxic Marine Sediments

ABSTRACT The oxidation of methane in anoxic marine sediments is thought to be mediated by a consortium of methane-consuming archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria. In this study, we compared results of rRNA gene (rDNA) surveys and lipid analyses of archaea and bacteria associated with methane seep sediments from several different sites on the Californian continental margin. Two distinct archaeal lineages (ANME-1 and ANME-2), peripherally related to the orderMethanosarcinales, were consistently associated with methane seep marine sediments. The same sediments contained abundant13C-depleted archaeal lipids, indicating that one or both of these archaeal groups are members of anaerobic methane-oxidizing consortia. 13C-depleted lipids and the signature 16S rDNAs for these archaeal groups were absent in nearby control sediments. Concurrent surveys of bacterial rDNAs revealed a predominance of δ-proteobacteria, in particular, close relatives ofDesulfosarcina variabilis. Biomarker analyses of the same sediments showed bacterial fatty acids with strong 13C depletion that are likely products of these sulfate-reducing bacteria. Consistent with these observations, whole-cell fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed aggregations of ANME-2 archaea and sulfate-reducing Desulfosarcina andDesulfococcus species. Additionally, the presence of abundant 13C-depleted ether lipids, presumed to be of bacterial origin but unrelated to ether lipids of members of the orderDesulfosarcinales, suggests the participation of additional bacterial groups in the methane-oxidizing process. Although theDesulfosarcinales and ANME-2 consortia appear to participate in the anaerobic oxidation of methane in marine sediments, our data suggest that other bacteria and archaea are also involved in methane oxidation in these environments.