Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm

The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) is one of the promising near-term algorithms designed to find approximate solutions for combinatorial optimization problems. The algorithm prepares a parametrized state that is aimed to maximize the expectation value of the objective function of the problem. The circuit for QAOA consists of p layers, and it depends on 2p parameters, the determination of which can be carried out using a variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) subroutine. This is a variational approach for finding optimal parameters, where the quantum state is prepared with a quantum computer, and a classical computer is used for calculating the corresponding objective function value and performing an outer loop optimization routine in order to find optimal parameters. Earlier work on the algorithm has shown that QAOA is closely related to the Quantum Adiabatic Algorithm, which results in noticeable patterns in the optimal parameters. To this purpose, two methods, INTERP and FOURIER, were proposed to exploit this structure by Zhou et al. [63]. In this thesis I extend upon these results by examining the effectiveness of one of their methods, the INTERP method, on the Max-Cut problem from graph theory. The performance of QAOA using this method was studied on several classes of graphs and benchmarked against the currently best-known classical algorithm Goemans-Williamson, which achieves an approximation ratio of ρ ≈ 0.878 on arbitrary graphs. The classes of graphs examined include cyclic, weighted and unweighted 3-regular, and Erdős-Rényi graphs with edge probabilities of 0.5 and 0.75 and graph sizes ranging from 4 to 16. Moreover, it was investigated if the INTERP method offers an advantage compared to random initialization of parameters and whether or not the method is polynomial in p. It was found that different graph classes lead to similar but different parameter patterns. Furthermore, the performance of QAOA using the INTERP method was dependent on the graph class considered. For the small graphs investigated it was found that QAOA outperforms Goemans-Williamson on ER-0.50, ER-0.75 and weighted 3-regular graphs from p = 7 and beyond with respect to how well the expectation of the objective function approximates the optimal value, while for unweighted 3-regular graphs p = 6 suffices. However, the calculation of the parameters is costly and requires a number of function evaluations that is on the order of the number of possible bipartitions of small graph with sizes n . 16. Moreover, the numerical results suggested that indeed the method is polynomial in p advocating that the algorithm might be a strong alternative to Goemans-Williamson for large graph sizes, once hardware allows it.
University of Birmingham Restorative surgery after colectomy for ulcerative colitis in England and Sweden

Background A longstanding disparity exists between the approaches to restorative surgery after colectomy for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in England and Sweden. This study aims to compare colectomy and restorative surgery rates in comparable national cohorts. Method The English Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and Swedish National Patient Register (NPR) were interrogated between 2002 and April 2012. Patients with two diagnostic episodes for UC, age  15 were included. Patients were excluded if they had an episode of inflammatory bowel disease or colectomy before 2002. The cumulative incidences of colectomy and restorative surgery were calculated using Kaplan ‐ Meier method. ‐ The of This study is a unique comparison of the surgical management of comparable nationwide cohorts of UC patients from two healthcare systems in which universal patient identification allows longitudinal tracking. Nationwide, population ‐ based data collected in routine medical care reflects real ‐ world practice as opposed to the strict conditions of controlled trials, and the very large sample size results in excellent precision. The 10 ‐ year follow up period is adequate, as over 90% of patients undergoing restorative surgery have done so by three years after colectomy. A washout period of at least five years was used to ensure that we captured only incident cases. The Swedish cohort is based on the NPR with a complete registration of in ‐ hospital as well as outpatient visits, and a validated method of capturing IBD cases. The English cohort is based on HES data with validated accuracy regarding diagnostic and procedural coding (25). However, it is possible that not all English UC patients were identified in the HES data, and that the true cumulative risk of colectomy is indeed lower than reported in this study. It should be noted that this weakness is unlikely to affect the capture of true UC colectomies as HES covers all of the inpatient population. Therefore, the gross number of colectomies and the rate of restorative surgery can be considered reliable.
Quantum circuits and low-degree polynomials over F2

In this work we explore a correspondence between quantum circuits and low-degree polynomials over the finite field F2. Any quantum circuit made up of Hadamard, Z, controlled-Z and controlled-controlled-Z gates gives rise to a degree-3 polynomial over F2 such that calculating quantum circuit amplitudes is equivalent to counting zeroes of the corresponding polynomial. We exploit this connection, which is especially clean and simple for this particular gate set, in two directions. First, we give proofs of classical hardness results based on quantum circuit concepts. Second, we find efficient classical simulation algorithms for certain classes of quantum circuits based on efficient algorithms for classes of polynomials.
Efﬁcacy of Caspofungin in a Juvenile Mouse Model of Central Nervous System Candidiasis (cid:1)

Neonatal candidiasis is an increasingly common occurrence causing signiﬁcant morbidity and mortality and a higher risk of dissemination to the central nervous system (CNS) than that seen with older patients. The current understanding of optimal antifungal therapy in this setting is limited. We have developed a model of disseminated candidiasis with CNS involvement in juvenile mice to assess the efﬁcacy of the echinocandin caspofungin relative to amphotericin B (AmB). Juvenile mice were inoculated intravenously with 5.64 (cid:1) 10 4 CFU of Candida albicans MY1055. Treatment with caspofungin at 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg of body weight/day, AmB at 1 mg/kg/day, or a vehicle control (VC) was initiated 30 h after infection and continued for 7 days. Pharmacokinetic parameters for caspofungin were also determined. Culture and histology showed evidence of disseminated candidiasis with multifocal encephalitis at the start of antifungal therapy. Survival was 100% in all treated groups, while mortality was 100% in the VC by day 11 after infection. By day 5, all mice in the caspofungin treatment (four doses) groups showed reductions in kidney and brain burden relative to the VC, while AmB treatment reduced kidney burden but gave no reduction of brain fungal burden. Systemic levels of caspofungin were similar in infected and uninfected mice, while brain levels were higher in infected animals. In this juvenile mouse model, caspofungin demonstrated dose-dependent activity, equivalent to or better than that of AmB at 1 mg/kg, against disseminated candidiasis with CNS involvement. juvenile DBA/2N mice by intravenous (i.v.) injection of 0.2 ml of the above yeast suspension containing 5.64 (cid:5) 10 4 CFU of C. albicans MY1055 into the lateral tail vein. This infectious dose was chosen in order to obtain high kidney and brain Candida burden and 100% mortality in vehicle-treated controls during the study. A slightly higher inoculum of 7.28 (cid:5) 10 4 CFU/mouse resulted in a severe infection with substantial mortality beginning at 48 h after infectious challenge despite antifungal treatment (data not shown). Antifungal therapy was initiated at 30 h after infectious challenge and was given by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection once daily for 7 days. Mice were treated with caspofungin at 1, 2, 4, or 8 mg/kg/day, amphotericin B at 1 mg/kg/day, or vehicle control (VC; sterile distilled water). Efﬁcacy in this model was assessed in 3 ways: by monitoring survival in a group of 10 animals in each treatment group, by monitoring Candida burden in kidney and brain tissues in a second set of
CEOR_A_253601 345..354

Leila Doshmangir 1–3 Behzad Najafi 1 Hakimeh Mostafavi Esmaeil Moshiri 5 1Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Iranian Center of Excellence in Health Management, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; 2Social Determinants of Health Research Canter, Health Management and Safety Promotion Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; 3Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; 4Health Economy, Standard and Health Technology Office, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 5Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran Background: In Iran, during the years, the budgeting model used for healthcare funding is affected by factors such as global oil prices and fluctuation in the exchange rates. So, developing or continuing to implement a plan in the health system depends on the current and future global and local economic trends. Objective: To analyze the future of the recent significant reform called Health Transformation Plan (HTP), started on June 15, 2014, in the light of potential financial barriers and challenges. Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with health policymakers at different levels of the health system, health researchers, health insurance officers, and faculty members. Also, published and unpublished documents about HTP in the country and worldwide were reviewed. Data analysis was done using a qualitative inductive content analysis approach and assisted by qualitative data management software. Results: Instability of financial resources and allocation of gross domestic product (GDP) to the HTP in the traditional way is a challenge in continuing this policy reform. Also, the bureaucratic procedures in allocation and distribution of funds, the discrepancy between health insurance funds and affiliated units of Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) especially Medical Sciences Universities (MSU), the lack of purchaser–provider split, inappropriate payments and compensation mechanisms, and dependence of MSU on especial revenues are the main challenges that threaten the future of HTP in Iran. Conclusion: Given the current situation, where the country’s funding resources are often unpredictable, it seems that such funding challenges will lead to poor HTP results. Therefore, the continuance of such a high cost-based plan requires the strategies and policies to ensure raising additional funds through various types of innovative financing to overcome challenges.
Physical grounds for biological effect of laser radiationReported at the 17th International Congress

A new approach to the understanding of biological activity caused by low-intensity laser radiation, in which coherence is a factor of paramount importance, has been developed. It is based on the dipole interaction of gradient laser fields with cells, organelles and membranes. The laser intensity gradients in an object arise due to the interference of the light scattered by the tissue with the incident light beam (speckle formation). Apart from speckles, different types of light spatial modulation can be created deliberately using different schemes for beam interference.It is shown that gradient laser fields may cause spatial modulation of the concentration of particles and increase their 'partial temperature'. This paper presents the results of experimental observation of trapping of different types of particles, including human lymphocytes, in the interference fields of the He–Ne laser. The sweep-net effect on particles of different sizes on moving the laser field is demonstrated and crystal-like self-organization of particles in the laser gradient field is observed.The influence of gradient laser fields on erythrocyte rouleaus, on the apoptosis of human lymphocytes as well as on their chromosome aberrations is demonstrated. It may be concluded from the experimental studies that the influence of an interference laser field with a rightly chosen period can stimulate the repair system of a cell, increasing its viability.
Location Management in a Mobile Object Runtime Environment

This thesis focuses on two im portant aspects of runtime support for parallel and distributed applications. First, we present the design and implementation of Clam, a runtime system which provides one-sided communication with the support for global name-space, object mi­ gration, and transparent routing of messages to objects. Second, we perform a comparative study of techniques used for managing location information of mobile objects within Clam. The performance evaluation of the runtime system justifies the design decisions we have made and shows the advantages of the implementation over similar libraries. The study of location management reveals th a t for some distributed applications an intelligent choice of location management policy is a crucial contributing factor to the application performance. LOCATION MANAGEMENT IN A MOBILE OBJECT RUNTIME ENVIRONMENT
BEHAVIORAL FACTORS OF INTERNAL AUDITORS AND ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS ASSESSMENT OF MALAYSIAN STATUTORY BODIES

This study used the theory of planned behavior to examine the relationship between internal auditors’ behavioral factors and intention to evaluate enterprise risk management (ERM) effectiveness of Malaysian statutory bodies. Unlike prior literature, this study also included a test on individual attitude towards risk in addition to attitude towards behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Analysis on 108 received responses showed that subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had positive relationships with the intention to assess ERM effectiveness. Nevertheless, the influence of attitude was not substantiated. The results imply that attitude is not an important factor when individuals do not have total process ownership. need to shape internal auditor behavior by instituting social and administrative norms and instilling a positive perception about the ability to perform tasks within the organization. This study also shows that individuals have no total ownership in a process, thus focusing efforts on shaping individual attitude is not practical. This issue is critical because successful ERM implementation depends on internal auditors’ intention to evaluate its effectiveness. An effective ERM can reduce the risks of waste, inefficiencies, corruption, malpractices, and public–private partnerships associated with the public sector. private sector. This study attempts to fill the void in the public sector by investigating ERM implementation in a sample of statutory bodies.
Photon-counting image sensors for the ultraviolet

An investigation on specific performance details of photon counting, ultraviolet image sensors having 2-dimensional formats is reviewed. In one study, controlled experiments were performed which compare the quantum efficiencies, in pulse counting mode, of CsI photocathodes deposited on: (1) the front surface of a microchannel plate (MCP), (2) a solid surface in front of an MCP, and (3) an intensified CCD image sensor (ICCD) where a CCD is directly bombarded by accelerated photoelectrons. Tests indicated that the detection efficiency of the CsI-coated MCP at 1026 A is lower by a factor of 2.5 than that of the MCP with a separate, opaque CsI photocathode, and the detection efficiency ratio increases substantially at longer wavelengths (ratio is 5 at 1216 A and 20 at 1608 A).
CHEMICAL AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES FOR BIMETALLIC MATERIALS OBTAINED BY THE WELDING PROCESS

This paper presents the transformations which take place during the obtaining process of bimetallic materials. As a plating process was used the welding. The added material was a bronze with aluminum complex alloyed with iron, nickel. The based material was the steel. EDAX analyses and microstructures analyses were done in order to explain the metallurgical processes which take place during the facing by melting.
Sexual Desire and Materialism as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction among Men

Background and aim: Considering the importance of marital satisfaction in married life and its relation to health and happiness, this research aimed to investigate the role of sexual desire and materialism in marital satisfaction among Iranian males. Method: In this study, 240 married males in the age range of 25-46 years were selected randomly among the employees in government sections in Tehran-Iran. The participants responded to standard questionnaires of Hurlburt Index of Sexual Desire, Material Values Scale and Enrich marital satisfaction. Correlation and Regression analysis were done. Results: Results indicated that sexual desire was positively related to marital satisfaction. Negative relationship occurred between materialism and marital satisfaction. The study revealed that sexual desire and materialism emerged as predictors of marital satisfaction. Conclusion: Inconsistent with previous findings, a significant relationship emerged between materialism and marital satisfaction as well as sexual desire. These factors can play an important role in family therapy and happiness.
Lymphocytes and the Endothelium Memory T + Interactions Between CD4 Functional Consequences of Noncognate

The recruitment of Ag-speciﬁc T cells to sites of inﬂammation is a crucial step in immune surveillance. Although the molecular interactions controlling T cell extravasation are relatively well characterized, the effects of these events on T cell function are still poorly understood. Using an in vitro model of transendothelial migration of human CD4 (cid:1) memory T cells, we have investigated the molecular and functional changes induced in T cells that come into contact with the endothelium. First, we show that transendothelial migration is precluded by signals that lead to T cell division. In addition, activation of the transcription factor AP-1, without induction of NF- (cid:2) B, is observed in T cells after noncognate interactions with endothelial cells (EC), a pattern of transcriptional regulation different from that observed in dividing T cells. Up-regulation of certain adhesion (CD11a, CD49d), activation (CD69), and costimulatory (CD86) receptors accompany these transcriptional events. Most importantly, recently migrated T cells display a faster rate of migration when reseeded onto an EC monolayer. Finally, T cells become hyperresponsive to antigenic challenge after noncognate interactions with the endothelium. These effects appear not to be due to the selection of preactivated T lymphocytes, because they occur also in clonal T cell populations and appear to be mediated by (cid:3) L (cid:4) 2 integrin-CD54 interactions. We conclude that CD4 (cid:1) memory T cell extravasation is accompanied by phenotypic and functional changes induced by the interactions with the EC, which favor tissue inﬁltration by T cells and their further activation once they reach the antigenic site. The Journal of Immunology, 2002, 168: 3227–3234.
Universality of the ESD for a ﬁxed matrix plus small random noise: A stability approach 1

We study the empirical spectral distribution (ESD) in the limit where n → ∞ of a ﬁxed n by n matrix M n plus small random noise of the form f (n)X n , where X n has iid mean 0, variance 1 /n entries and f (n) → 0. It is known for certain M n , in the case where X n is iid complex Gaussian, that the limiting distribution of the ESD of M n + f (n)X n can be dramatically different from that for M n . We prove a general universality result showing, with some conditions on M n and f (n) , that the limiting distribution of the ESD does not depend on the type of distribution used for the random entries of X n . We use the universality result to exactly compute the limiting ESD for two families where it was not previously known. The proof of the main result incorporates the Tao–Vu replacement principle and a version of the Lindeberg replacement strategy, along with the newly-deﬁned notion of stability of sets of rows of a matrix. Résumé. la distribution limite de la DSE de M n + f (n)X n peut être radicalement différente de celle de M n . Nous prouvons un résultat général d’universalité en montrant, sous quelques conditions sur M n et f (n) , que la distribution limite de la DSE ne dépend pas du type de la distribution des entrées aléatoires de X n . Nous utilisons ce résultat d’universalité pour calculer exactement la limite de la DSE pour deux familles pour lesquelles le résultat n’était pas connu auparavant. La preuve du résultat principal incorpore le principe de remplacement de Tao– Vu et une version de la stratégie de remplacement de Lindeberg, avec une notion nouvelle de stabilité d’ensembles de lignes d’une matrice.
Chapter 14 Producing sludge for agricultural applications

Publication Information Colón, Joan , Alarcón, Manuel , Healy, Mark G. , Namli, Ayten , Sanin, F. Dilek , Tayà, Carlota , & Ponsá, Sergio (2017). Producing sludge for agricultural applications. In J.M. Lema & S. Suarez Martinez (Eds.), Innovative wastewater treatment and resource recovery technologies. London: IWA Publishing. Publisher IWA Publishing Link to publisher's version https://www.iwapublishing. com
IN VITRO CYTOTOXICITY OF MARINE SPONGE SPONGIA TOSTA IN A-549, HepG2, HT-29 AND Vero CANCER CELL LINES.

Cancer is a multigenic disease causing about one fifth of the deaths in each year worldwide. Cancer is caused mainly due to mutation or malfunction of cell cycle controlling machineries. Standard treatment for curing cancer including chemotherapies, coupled with radiation therapies are available but sometime they are associated with severe side effects, as for example, radiation therapies partially disrupts patient’s normal immune systems. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite are also common side effects of those standard treatment. Drug development using marine bioresources is limited even though the ocean occupies about 70% of the earth and contains a large number of biological materials. In this study, the silver nano particles synthesized methanolic extract of Marine sponge spongia Tosta (AgNPs -MEMSST) was examined for anticancer activity against lung cancer cell line, colon cancer cell line, liver carcinoma, kidney-African green monkey cell line. The sponge extract dose dependently inhibited viability in this cell line. Our results indicated that methanolic extract of sponge suppressed cell growth in these cell lines, hence the extract possess excellent anticancer potential that may be used for therapeutic purpose of cancer treatment with proper evaluation procedures.