Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long‐term effect of the complement inhibitor eculizumab on kidney function in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a debilitating and life‐threatening disease in which lysis of PNH red blood cells frequently manifests with chronic hemolysis, anemia, and thrombosis. Renal damage in PNH is associated with chronic hemosiderosis and/or microvascular thrombosis. We determined the incidence of renal dysfunction or damage, defined by stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), in a large cohort of PNH patients and evaluated the safety and efficacy of the complement inhibitor eculizumab in altering its progression. Renal dysfunction or damage was observed in 65% of the study population at baseline with 21% of patients with later stage CKD or kidney failure (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] ≤60 ml/min/1.73 m2; Stage 3, 4, or 5). Eculizumab treatment was safe and well‐tolerated in patients with renal dysfunction or damage and resulted in the likelihood of improvement as defined as categorical reduction in CKD stage (P < 0.001) compared with baseline and to placebo (P = 0.04). Improvement in renal function was more commonly seen in patients with baseline CKD Stages 1–2 (67.1% improvement, P < 0.001) although improvement was also observed in patients with CKD Stages 3–4 (P = 0.05). Improvements occurred quickly and were sustained for at least 18 months of treatment. Patients categorized at CKD Stages 3–5 did not worsen during treatment with eculizumab. Overall, 40 (21%) of 195 patients who demonstrated renal dysfunction or damage at baseline were no longer classified as such after 18 months of treatment. Administration of eculizumab to patients with renal dysfunction or damage was well tolerated and was usually associated with clinical improvement. Am. J. Hematol. 85:553–559, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sound field separation in a mixed acoustic environment using a sparse array of higher order spherical microphones

In many acoustic environments, we frequently observe that sound fields caused by desired and undesired sources superimpose each other and form a mixed sound field in the region. Hence, in acoustic signal processing applications, such as sound field recording, speech dereverberation and noise suppression, it is of a great interest to separate the desired sound field from the undesired ones. In this paper, we propose a solution to isolate the desired sound field in a mixed sound field environment for 3D sound propagation. The solution utilizes a sparse array of higher order microphones to achieve the goal, which greatly reduces the design complexity by using less number of microphones in an implementation-favorable geometry. We evaluate the performance under different noisy and noiseless environments to test the effectiveness as well as the robustness of the algorithm.
The Mathematics of Infectious Diseases

Many models for the spread of infectious diseases in populations have been analyzed mathematically and applied to specific diseases. Threshold theorems involving the basic reproduction number $R_{0}$, the contact number $\sigma$, and the replacement number $R$ are reviewed for the classic SIR epidemic and endemic models. Similar results with new expressions for $R_{0}$ are obtained for MSEIR and SEIR endemic models with either continuous age or age groups. Values of $R_{0}$ and $\sigma$ are estimated for various diseases including measles in Niger and pertussis in the United States. Previous models with age structure, heterogeneity, and spatial structure are surveyed.
On the length of the longest head run

We evaluate the accuracy of approximation to the distribution of the length of the longest head run in a Markov chain with a discrete state space. An estimate of the accuracy of approximation in terms of the total variation distance is established for the first time. Statistics and Probability Letters No: STAPRO-D-16-01227R1 Title: On the length of the longest head run Response to the reviewer comments 1. I’ve replaced "length of the longest head run" with "longest run" as suggested by the reviewer. 2. I’ve added "{\xi_{k}=1} represents failure of the kth component" as suggested by the reviewer. 3. The text on page 2 states “N_n(k) of head runs with lengths ≥k”. 4. Statistics & Probability Letters is among journals cited in the manuscript. 20.06. 2017 Detailed Response to Reviewers
Statistical model for diffusion attenuated MR signal

A general statistical model that can describe a rather large number of experimental results related to the structure of the diffusion‐attenuated MR signal in biological systems is introduced. The theoretical framework relies on a phenomenological model that introduces a distribution function for tissue apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC). It is shown that at least two parameters—the position of distribution maxima (ADC) and the distribution width (σ)—are needed to describe the MR signal in most regions of a human brain. A substantial distribution width, on the order of 36% of the ADC, was found for practically all brain regions examined. This method of modeling the MR diffusion measurement allows determination of an intrinsic tissue‐specific ADC for a given diffusion time independent of the strength of diffusion sensitizing gradients. The model accounts for the previously found biexponential behavior of the diffusion‐attenuated MR signal in CNS. Magn Reson Med 50:664–669, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thinking inside the Box: Why Consumers Enjoy Constrained Creative Experiences

From cooking kits to home improvement shows, consumers are increasingly seeking out products that are designed to help them be creative. In this research, the authors examine why consumers participate in creative activities and under what conditions these experiences are the most enjoyable. A qualitative study explores the diverse motivations for undertaking creative tasks and identifies the role of constraints in such endeavors. Then, the authors conduct two experimental studies to understand the importance of constraints (e.g., instructional guidance, target outcomes) in facilitating a balance between perceived competence and autonomy for consumers involved in a creative task. When consumers engage in creative activities with a sense of both autonomy and competence, they enjoy the experience more. The authors discuss implications for managers and provide opportunities for further research.
Comparative Dynamics of Retrograde Actin Flow and Focal Adhesions: Formation of Nascent Adhesions Triggers Transition from Fast to Slow Flow

Dynamic actin network at the leading edge of the cell is linked to the extracellular matrix through focal adhesions (FAs), and at the same time it undergoes retrograde flow with different dynamics in two distinct zones: the lamellipodium (peripheral zone of fast flow), and the lamellum (zone of slow flow located between the lamellipodium and the cell body). Cell migration involves expansion of both the lamellipodium and the lamellum, as well as formation of new FAs, but it is largely unknown how the position of the boundary between the two flow zones is defined, and how FAs and actin flow mutually influence each other. We investigated dynamic relationship between focal adhesions and the boundary between the two flow zones in spreading cells. Nascent FAs first appeared in the lamellipodium. Within seconds after the formation of new FAs, the rate of actin flow decreased locally, and the lamellipodium/lamellum boundary advanced towards the new FAs. Blocking fast actin flow with cytochalasin D resulted in rapid dissolution of nascent FAs. In the absence of FAs (spreading on poly-L-lysine-coated surfaces) retrograde flow was uniform and the velocity transition was not observed. We conclude that formation of FAs depends on actin dynamics, and in its turn, affects the dynamics of actin flow by triggering transition from fast to slow flow. Extension of the cell edge thus proceeds through a cycle of lamellipodium protrusion, formation of new FAs, advance of the lamellum, and protrusion of the lamellipodium from the new base.
The Amyloid Precursor Protein Interacts with Go Heterotrimeric Protein within a Cell Compartment Specialized in Signal Transduction

The function of the β-amyloid protein precursor (βAPP), a transmembrane molecule involved in Alzheimer pathologies, is poorly understood. We recently reported the presence of a fraction of βAPP in cholesterol and sphingoglycolipid-enriched microdomains (CSEM), a caveolae-like compartment specialized in signal transduction. To investigate whether βAPP actually interferes with cell signaling, we reexamined the interaction between βAPP and GoGTPase. In strong contrast with results obtained with reconstituted phospholipid vesicles (Okamoto et al., 1995), we find that incubating total neuronal membranes with 22C11, an antibody that recognizes an N-terminal βAPP epitope, reduces high-affinity Go GTPase activity. This inhibition is specific of Gαo and is reproduced, in the absence of 22C11, by the addition of the βAPP C-terminal domain but not by two distinct mutated βAPP C-terminal domains that do not bind Gαo. This inhibition of Gαo GTPase activity by either 22C11 or wild-type βAPP cytoplasmic domain suggests that intracellular interactions between βAPP and Gαo could be regulated by extracellular signals. To verify whether this interaction is preserved in CSEM, we first used biochemical, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural techniques to unambiguously confirm the colocalization of Gαo and βAPP in CSEM. We show that inhibition of basal Gαo GTPase activity also occurs within CSEM and correlates with the coimmunoprecipitation of Gαo and βAPP. The regulation of Gαo GTPase activity by βAPP in a compartment specialized in signaling may have important consequences for our understanding of the physiopathological functions of βAPP.
Association of protein kinase C with phospholipid vesicles.

The Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC), was purified from bovine brain by a modified procedure that provided sufficient quantities of stable protein for analysis of physical properties of protein-membrane binding. The binding of PKC to phospholipid vesicles of various compositions was investigated by light-scattering and fluorescence energy transfer measurements. The binding properties for membranes of low phosphatidylserine (PS) content were consistent with a peripheral membrane association; PKC showed Ca2+ -dependent binding to phospholipid vesicles containing phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, or phosphatidylglycerol. Membranes containing 0-20% PS (the remainder of the phospholipid was phosphatidylcholine) bound less protein than membranes containing greater than 20% PS; the factor limiting protein binding to membranes containing low PS appeared to be the availability of acidic phospholipids. Increasing the PS content above 20% did not increase the amount of membrane-bound protein at saturation, and the limiting factor was probably steric packing of protein on the membrane surface. The membranes bound about 1 g of protein/g of phospholipid at steric saturation. Binding was of relatively high affinity (Kd less than 5 nM), and the association rate was rapid on the time scale of the experiments. Addition of ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid to phospholipid-bound PKC caused dissociation of the complex, and the properties of this dissociation indicated an equilibrium binding of protein to membrane. However, only partial dissociation of PKC was achieved when the PS content of the vesicles exceeded 20%. A number of comparisons revealed that binding of protein to the membrane, even in the presence of phorbol esters, was insufficient for development of enzyme activity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fast Modeling of Large Wave Energy Farms Using Interaction Distance Cut-Off

In many wave energy concepts, power output in the MW range requires the simultaneous operation of many wave energy converters. In particular, this is true for small point-absorbers, where a wave energy farm may contain several hundred devices. The total performance of the farm is affected by the hydrodynamic interactions between the individual devices, and reliable tools that can model full farms are needed to study power output and find optimal design parameters. This paper presents a novel method to model the hydrodynamic interactions and power output of very large wave energy farms. The method is based on analytical multiple scattering theory and uses time series of irregular wave amplitudes to compute the instantaneous power of each device. An interaction distance cut-off is introduced to improve the computational cost with acceptable accuracy. As an application of the method, wave energy farms with over 100 devices are studied in the MW range using one month of wave data measured at an off-shore site.
A Novel Misclassification Attack Against Black Box Neural Network Classifiers

It is generally believed that neural network classifiers are vulnerable to misclassification attacks. An adversary generates adversarial samples by adding small perturbations to the original samples. These adversarial samples will mislead classifiers, although they are almost the same as the original samples from the perspective of human observation. However, the existing misclassification attacks need either the details of classifier or a fake classifier to craft the adversarial samples. One may think a black box classifier is robust enough against misclassification attacks. We demonstrate that black box classifier is still vulnerable to our proposed misclassification attack. We conceal the details of classifier. The only thing an adversary can do is to query samples' classification results. We proposed a particle swarm optimization based misclassification attack. Using this attack an adversary can make black box classifiers yield erroneous results. The experiments show that LeNet and GoogLeNet are vulnerable to our proposed attack. The misclassification rate on MNIST and ImageNet ILSVRC 2012 dataset are 99.1% and 98.4%. Finally, we give some defense strategies against misclassification attacks.
SmartMusicKIOSK: music listening station with chorus-search function

This paper describes a new music-playback interface for trial listening, SmartMusicKIOSK. In music stores, short trial listening of CD music is not usually a passive experience -- customers often search out the chorus or "hook" of a song using the fast-forward button. Listening of this type, however, has not been traditionally supported. This research achieves a function for jumping to the chorus section and other key parts of a song plus a function for visualizing song structure. These functions make it easier for a listener to find desired parts of a song and thereby facilitate an active listening experience. The proposed functions are achieved by an automatic chorus-section detecting method, and the results of implementing them as a listening station have demonstrated their usefulness.
All-Fiber Multiplexing and Transmission of High-Order Circularly Polarized Orbital Angular Momentum Modes With Mode Selective Couplers

We have demonstrated an all-fiber high-order circularly polarized (CP) orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes (de)multiplexing system based on second-order mode selective couplers (SMSCs). Such SMSCs combining standard single mode fiber and ring core fiber (RCF) are fabricated by a fusing and pulling technique, in which the RCF supports second-order vector modes (HE31 and EH11). During a pulling process, the HE31 and EH11 modes could be excited along the coupling region through evanescent wave interaction. By adjusting the polarization states, the excited second-order modes are transformed into two sets of second-order CP OAM (CP-OAM±2) modes and then transmit along the RCF. The second-order CP-OAM±2 modes, carrying a 2.95-Gb/s orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signals filled with the 16-level quadrature amplitude modulation signals, are successfully (de)multiplexed and propagated over a 3.7-km RCF. The experimental investigations show that the developed system to multiplex and transmit CP-OAM±2 can achieve forward error correction threshold that the received optical power is larger than −13 dBm. The obtained results show that the OAM modes can be generated, (de)multiplexed, and effectively transmitted in the RCF with favorable performance by the designed SMSCs.
An experimental investigation of formality in UML-based development

The object constraint language (OCL) was introduced as part of the Unified Modeling Language (UML). Its main purpose is to make UML models more precise and unambiguous by providing a constraint language describing constraints that the UML diagrams alone do not convey, including class invariants, operation contracts, and statechart guard conditions. There is an ongoing debate regarding the usefulness of using OCL in UML-based development, questioning whether the additional effort and formality is worth the benefit. It is argued that natural language may be sufficient, and using OCL may not bring any tangible benefits. This debate is in fact similar to the discussion about the effectiveness of formal methods in software engineering, but in a much more specific context. This paper presents the results of two controlled experiments that investigate the impact of using OCL on three software engineering activities using UML analysis models: detection of model defects through inspections, comprehension of the system logic and functionality, and impact analysis of changes. The results show that, once past an initial learning curve, significant benefits can be obtained by using OCL in combination with UML analysis diagrams to form a precise UML analysis model. But, this result is however conditioned on providing substantial, thorough training to the experiment participants.
Accuracy and Tuning of Flow Parsing for Visual Perception of Object Motion During Self-Motion

How do we perceive object motion during self-motion using visual information alone? Previous studies have reported that the visual system can use optic flow to identify and globally subtract the retinal motion component resulting from self-motion to recover scene-relative object motion, a process called flow parsing. In this article, we developed a retinal motion nulling method to directly measure and quantify the magnitude of flow parsing (i.e., flow parsing gain) in various scenarios to examine the accuracy and tuning of flow parsing for the visual perception of object motion during self-motion. We found that flow parsing gains were below unity for all displays in all experiments; and that increasing self-motion and object motion speed did not alter flow parsing gain. We conclude that visual information alone is not sufficient for the accurate perception of scene-relative motion during self-motion. Although flow parsing performs global subtraction, its accuracy also depends on local motion information in the retinal vicinity of the moving object. Furthermore, the flow parsing gain was constant across common self-motion or object motion speeds. These results can be used to inform and validate computational models of flow parsing.
Apolipoprotein Eε4: A Biomarker for Executive Dysfunction among Parkinson's Disease Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting 15–20% of patients at diagnosis. α-synuclein expression and genetic polymorphisms of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) have been associated with the presence of cognitive impairment in PD although data have been inconsistent. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with PD using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Comprehensive Trail Making Test (CTMT) and Parkinson's disease-cognitive rating scale (PDCRS), and its association with plasma α-synuclein and ApoE genetic polymorphisms. Methods: This was across-sectional study involving 46 PD patients. Patients were evaluated using Montreal cognitive assessment test (MoCA), and detailed neuropsychological tests. The Parkinson's disease cognitive rating scale (PDCRS) was used for cognitive function and comprehensive trail making test (CTMT) for executive function. Blood was drawn for plasma α-synuclein measurements and ApoE genetic analysis. ApoE polymorphism was detected using MutaGELAPoE from ImmunDiagnostik. Plasma α-synuclein was detected using the ELISA Technique (USCN Life Science Inc.) according to the standard protocol. Results: Based on MoCA, 26 (56.5%) patients had mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and 20 (43.5%) had normal cognition (PD-NC). Based on the PDCRS, 18 (39.1%) had normal cognition (PDCRS-NC), 17 (37%) had mild cognitive impairment (PDCRS-MCI), and 11 (23.9%) had dementia (PDCRS-PDD). In the PDCRS-MCI group, 5 (25%) patients were from PD-NC group and all PDCRS-PDD patients were from PD-MCI group. CTMT scores were significantly different between patients with MCI and normal cognition on MoCA (p = 0.003). Twenty one patients (72.4%) with executive dysfunction were from the PD-MCI group; 17 (77.3%) with severe executive dysfunction and 4 (57.1%) had mild to moderate executive dysfunction. There were no differences in the plasma α-synuclein concentration between the presence or types of cognitive impairment based on MoCA, PDCRS, and CTMT. TheApoEe4 allele carrier frequency was significantly higher in patients with executive dysfunction (p = 0.014). Conclusion: MCI was prevalent in our PD population. PDCRS appeared to be more discriminatory in detecting MCI and PDD than MoCA. Plasma α-synuclein level was not associated with presence nor type of cognitive impairment, but the ApoEe4 allele carrier status was significantly associated with executive dysfunction in PD.
LADRC Applied for the Doubly Fed Induction Generator Connected to the Micro-grid

This paper focuses on the control of double-fed induction generator’s (DFIG) powers (active and reactive) when it operates with parameters uncertainties in the structure of micro-grid. The control of the powers, transfer between the machine and the micro-grid, is assured by adjusting the rotor parameters and is ensured by the LADRC controller (linear active disturbances rejection control). The latter estimates and compensates the internal and external disturbances, which can be resumed in the parameters uncertainties. The robustness of the chosen controller in this work (LADRC) is evaluated by comparing with the proportional and integral (PI) controller under different point of operation against the simulation results given by the software MATLAB/Simulink. The results revealed that the performances achieved by the selected controller are more efficient than those of the conventional PI controller. This can be explained by the capacity of rejection of disturbances ensured by the LADRC.
Measuring Semantic Abstraction of Multilingual NMT with Paraphrase Recognition and Generation Tasks

In this paper, we investigate whether multilingual neural translation models learn stronger semantic abstractions of sentences than bilingual ones. We test this hypotheses by measuring the perplexity of such models when applied to paraphrases of the source language. The intuition is that an encoder produces better representations if a decoder is capable of recognizing synonymous sentences in the same language even though the model is never trained for that task. In our setup, we add 16 different auxiliary languages to a bidirectional bilingual baseline model (English-French) and test it with in-domain and out-of-domain paraphrases in English. The results show that the perplexity is significantly reduced in each of the cases, indicating that meaning can be grounded in translation. This is further supported by a study on paraphrase generation that we also include at the end of the paper.