Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Second Order Online Collaborative Filtering

Collaborative Filtering (CF) is one of the most successful learning techniques in building real-world recommender systems. Traditional CF algorithms are often based on batch machine learning methods which suﬀer from several critical drawbacks, e.g., extremely expensive model retraining cost whenever new samples arrive, unable to capture the latest change of user preferences over time, and high cost and slow reaction to new users or products extension. Such limitations make batch learning based CF methods unsuitable for real-world online applications where data often arrives sequentially and user preferences may change dynamically and rapidly. To address these limitations, we investigate online collaborative ﬁltering techniques for building live recommender systems where the CF model can evolve on-the-ﬂy over time. Unlike the regular ﬁrst order CF algorithms (e.g., online gradient descent for CF) that converge slowly, in this paper, we present a new framework of second order online collaborative ﬁltering, i.e., Conﬁdence Weighted Online Collaborative Filtering (CWOCF), which applies the second order online optimization methodology to tackle the online collaborative ﬁltering task. We conduct extensive experiments on several large-scale datasets, in which the encouraging results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms obtain signiﬁcantly lower errors (both RMSE and MAE) than the state-of-the-art ﬁrst order CF algorithms when receiving the same amount of training data in the online learning process.
RespInPeace: Toolkit for Processing Respiratory Belt Data

RespInPeace is a Python toolkit for processing respiratory data collected using Respiratory Inductance Plethysmogra-phy (RIP). It provides methods for signal normalisation, calibration, parametrisation as well as for detection of respiratory events, such as inhalations, exhala-tions and breath holds. The paper gives a short overview of the most important functions of the program.
Jazz Harmony Analysis with (cid:15) -Transition and Cadential Shortcut

Tonal Pitch Space (TPS) gives us a numerical distance between two chords, and enables us to give multiple interpretations of chord sequences as to their keys and degrees. Therefore, we can ﬁnd the most plausible ( i.e. sounds nat-ural for humans) interpretation as the shortest path for the sequence. In this study, we ﬁrst extend the TPS to include tetrads and natural/harmonic/melodic minor scales to cover those chords commonly used in jazz. Thereafter, we propose the notion of (cid:15) -transition, which is a free re-interpretation of a chord, to represent a pivot chord. Also, we propose the notion of cadential shortcut, which includes multiple chords to express a cadence, given as a shorter directed path in addition to the original sequences of possible interpretations. With this, we consider chord tri-grams as well as chord bi-grams. As a result, our method can reduce the number of the shortest paths, which results in an efﬁcient algorithm to analyze jazz harmony.
Time Series Regression on Financial Market

—In this report, we study the performance of two machine learning algorithms when implemented for price predictions on the Swedish electricity market. The goal of this project is to evaluate if these algorithms can be used as a tool for investments. The algorithms are Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR), and Support Vector Regression (SVR). Both KRR and SVR use the kernel trick to efﬁciently ﬁnd non-linear dependencies in the volatile market. The methods are both used with an ofﬂine approach. For the Kernel Ridge Regression, an online approach using Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) to reduce the computational cost was also implemented. Both algorithms are applied to the Swedish electricity market for the year 2017, using the programming environment Matlab. To evaluate the performance of the algorithms the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), the root mean squared error (RMSE), and the mean absolute error (MAE) were calculated. The conclusions of this project are that both methods show potential for being used in ﬁnancial time series predictions. The presented implementations, however, are in need of some reﬁnements. Examples of possible ways to reﬁne the results obtained in this project are discussed, with ideas of future implementations.
Gene-Set and Multivariate Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Oppositional Deﬁant Behavior Subtypes in Attention-Deﬁcit/ Hyperactivity Disorder Neuropsychiatric

subtypes of ODD (based on latent class analyses) with previously described speciﬁc polymorphisms ( DRD4 exon3 VNTR, 5-HTTLPR, and seven OXTR SNPs) as well as with dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin genes and pathways in a clinical sample of children and adolescents with ADHD. In addition, we performed a multivariate genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the aforementioned ODD dimensions and subtypes. Apart from adjusting the analyses for age and sex, we controlled for “parental ability to cope with disruptive behavior. ” None of the hypothesis-driven analyses revealed a signiﬁcant association with ODD dimensions and subtypes. Inadequate parenting behavior was signiﬁcantly associated with all ODD dimensions and subtypes, most strongly with deﬁant/vindictive behaviors. In addition, the GWAS did not result in genome-wide signiﬁcant ﬁndings but bioinformatics and literature analyses revealed that the proteins encoded by 28 of the 53 top-ranked genes functionally interact in a molecular landscape centered around Beta-catenin signaling and involved in the regulation of neurite outgrowth. Our ﬁndings provide new insights into the molecular basis of ODD and inform future genetic studies of oppositional behavior.
Chronic, complete cervical 6–7 cord transection: distinct autonomic and cardiac deﬁcits

cord injury (SCI) resulting in tetraplegia is a devastating, life-changing insult causing paralysis and sensory impairment as well as distinct autonomic dysfunction that triggers compromised cardiovascular, bowel, bladder, and sexual activity. Life becomes a battle for inde- pendence as even routine bodily functions and the smallest activity of daily living become major challenges. Accordingly, there is a critical need for a chronic preclinical model of tetraplegia. This report addresses this critical need by comparing, for the ﬁrst time, resting-, reﬂex-, and stress-induced cardiovascular, autonomic, and hormonal responses each week for 4 wk in 12 sham-operated intact rats and 12 rats with chronic, complete C 6–7 spinal cord transection. Loss of supraspinal control to all sympathetic preganglionic neurons project- ing to the heart and vasculature resulted in a profound bradycardia and hypotension, reduced cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic tonus, reduced reﬂex- and stress-induced sympathetic responses, and reduced sympathetic support of blood pressure as well as enhanced reliance on angiotensin to maintain arterial blood pressure. Histological examination of the nucleus ambiguus and stellate ganglia supports the profound and distinct autonomic and cardiac deﬁcits and reliance on angiotensin to maintain cardiovascular stability following chronic, complete cervical 6–7 cord transection. and stress-induced cardiovascular, autonomic, and hormonal responses were studied in rats with chronic, complete C 6–7 cord transection. Loss of supraspinal control of all sympathetic preganglionic neurons reduced cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic tonus, reﬂex and stress-induced sympathetic responses, and sympathetic support of blood pressure as well as enhanced reliance on angiotensin to maintain arterial blood pressure. Histological examination supports the distinct deﬁcits associated with cervical cord injury.
expression responses of threespine stickleback to salinity: implications for salt-sensitive hypertension.

Despite recent success with genome-wide association studies (GWAS), identifying hypertension (HTN)-susceptibility loci in the general population remains difﬁcult. Here, we present a novel strategy to address this challenge by studying salinity adaptation in the threespine stickleback, a ﬁsh species with diverse salt-handling ecotypes. We acclimated native freshwater (FW) and anadromous saltwater (SW) threespine sticklebacks to fresh, brackish, and sea water for 30 days, and applied RNA sequencing to determine the gene expression in ﬁsh kidneys. We identiﬁed 1844 salt-responsive genes that were differentially expressed between FW sticklebacks acclimated to different salinities and/or between SW and FW sticklebacks acclimated to full-strength sea water. Signiﬁcant overlap between stickleback salt-responsive genes and human genes implicated in HTN was detected ( P < 10 − 7 , hypergeometric test), suggesting a possible similarity in genetic mechanisms of salt handling between threespine sticklebacks and humans. The overlapping genes included a newly discovered HTN gene— MAP3K15 , whose expression in FW stickleback kidneys decreases with salinity. These also included genes located in the GWAS loci such as AGTRAP - PLOD1 and CYP1A1 - ULK3 , which contain multiple potentially causative genes contributing to HTN susceptibility that need to be prioritized for study. Taken together, we show that stickleback salt-responsive genes provide valuable information facilitating the identiﬁcation of human HTN genes. Thus, threespine sticklebacks may be used as a model, complementary to existing animal models, in human HTN research.
Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid Positively Affects Immunologic Variables in Lactating Sows and Piglets 1,2

We studied the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on metabolic and immunologic variables in lactating sows and piglets. Gestating sows ( n (cid:1) 16) were assigned to 1 of 2 weight- and parity-matched groups supplemented with 0% (C) or 0.5% (T) of a CLA preparation containing 50% CLA isomers. Supplementation started in late pregnancy and continued throughout lactation. At weaning, 80 piglets, half from each group of sows, were assigned to 0% CLA (C) or 0.5% CLA (T). Thus, there were four groups of 20 piglets: C-C, C-T, T-T, and T-C. Body weight and the number of piglets per litter at birth and weaning, and the chemical composition of colostrum did not differ among the groups. CLA affected the fatty acid composition of colostrum fat; palmitoleic and (cid:1) -linolenic acid were signiﬁcantly lower compared with controls, whereas eicosenoic and eicosatrienoic acids were signiﬁcantly higher. Feeding CLA increased ( P (cid:2) 0.05) colostrum IgG in sows. Sows fed CLA had higher ( P (cid:2) 0.05) serum leptin, IgG, and lysozyme. Nursing piglets from CLA-fed sows had signiﬁcantly higher ( P (cid:2) 0.01) serum lysozyme and IgG. Consumption of CLA did not affect postweaning growth. Postweaning piglets fed CLA (T-T, C-T) had a higher IgG titer at 25 d ( P (cid:2) 0.05) and 35 d ( P (cid:2) 0.01) after weaning. Serum lysozyme was also higher at 25 d ( P (cid:2) 0.05) in CLA-fed piglets (T-T, C-T). At 35 d, serum (cid:2) -1 acylglicoprotein was lower ( P (cid:2) 0.05) in piglets fed CLA. Dietary CLA had a positive effect on immunologic variables in lactating sows and piglets. J. Nutr. 134: 817–824, 2004.
Use of infrared thermography for monitoring stomatal closure in the ﬁeld: application to grapevine

This paper reviews and discusses strategies for the use of thermal imaging for studies of stomatal conductance in the ﬁeld and compares techniques for image collection and analysis. Measurements were taken under a range of environmental conditions and on sunlit and shaded canopies to illustrate the variability of temperatures and derived stress indices. A simple procedure is presented for correcting for calibration drift within the images from the low-cost thermal imager used (SnapShot 225, Infrared Solutions, Inc.). The use of wet and dry reference surfaces as thresholds to eliminate the inclusion of non-leaf material in the analysis of canopy temperature is discussed. An index that is proportional to stomatal conductance was compared with stomatal measurements with a porometer. The advantages and disadvantages of a possible new approach to the use of thermal imagery for the detection of stomatal closure in grapevine canopies, based on an analysis of the temperature of shaded leaves, rather than sunlit leaves, are discussed. Evidence is presented that the temperature of reference surfaces exposed within the canopy can be affected by the canopy water status.
Redistribution of pyrogenic carbon from hillslopes to stream corridors following a large montane wild ﬁ re Global Biogeochemical Cycles

Pyrogenic carbon (PyC) constitutes a signi ﬁ cant fraction of organic carbon in most soils. However, PyC soil stocks are generally smaller than what is expected from estimates of PyC produced from ﬁ re and decomposition losses, implying that other processes cause PyC loss from soils. Surface erosion has been previously suggested as one such process. To address this, following a large wild ﬁ re in the Rocky Mountains (CO, USA), we tracked PyC from the litter layer and soil, through eroded, suspended, and dissolved solids to alluvial deposits along riversides. We separated deposited sediment into high- and low-density fractions to identify preferential forms of PyC transport and quanti ﬁ ed PyC in all samples and density fractions using benzene polycarboxylic acid markers. A few months after the ﬁ re, PyC had yet to move vertically into the mineral soil and remained in the organic layer or had been transported off site by rainfall driven overland ﬂ ow. During major storm events PyC was associated with suspended sediments in river water and later identi ﬁ ed in low-density riverbank deposits. Flows from an unusually long-duration and high magnitude rainstorm either removed or buried the riverbank sediments approximately 1year after their deposition. We conclude that PyC redistributes after wild ﬁ re in patterns that are consistent with erosion and deposition of low-density sediments. A more complete understanding of PyC dynamics requires attention to the interaction of post ﬁ re precipitation patterns and geomorphological features that control surface erosion and deposition throughout the watershed.
Atmospheric histories and growth trends of C 4 F 10 , C 5 F 12 , C 6 F 14 , C 7 F 16 and C 8 F 18

Abstract. Atmospheric observations and trends are presented for the high molecular weight perfluorocarbons (PFCs): decafluorobutane (C 4 F 10 ), dodecafluoropentane (C 5 F 12 ), tetradecafluorohexane (C 6 F 14 ), hexadecafluoroheptane (C 7 F 16 ) and octadecafluorooctane (C 8 F 18 ). Their atmospheric histories are based on measurements of 36 Northern Hemisphere and 46 Southern Hemisphere archived air samples collected between 1973 to 2011 using the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) "Medusa" preconcentration gas chromatography-mass spectrometry systems. A new calibration scale was prepared for each PFC, with estimated accuracies of 6.8% for C 4 F 10 , 7.8% for C 5 F 12 , 4.0% for C 6 F 14 , 6.6% for C 7 F 16 and 7.9% for C 8 F 18 . Based on our observations the 2011 globally averaged dry air mole fractions of these heavy PFCs are: 0.17 parts-per-trillion (ppt, i.e., parts per 10 12 ) for C 4 F 10 , 0.12 ppt for C 5 F 12 , 0.27 ppt for C 6 F 14 , 0.12 ppt for C 7 F 16 and 0.09 ppt for C 8 F 18 . These atmospheric mole fractions combine to contribute to a global average radiative forcing of 0.35 mW m −2 , which is 6% of the total anthropogenic PFC radiative forcing (Montzka and Reimann, 2011; Oram et al., 2012). The growth rates of the heavy perfluorocarbons were largest in the late 1990s peaking at 6.2 parts per quadrillion (ppq, i.e., parts per 10 15 ) per year (yr) for C 4 F 10 , at 5.0 ppq yr −1 for C 5 F 12 and 16.6 ppq yr −1 for C 6 F 14 and in the early 1990s for C 7 F 16 at 4.7 ppq yr −1 and in the mid 1990s for C 8 F 18 at 4.8 ppq yr −1 . The 2011 globally averaged mean atmospheric growth rates of these PFCs are subsequently lower at 2.2 ppq yr −1 for C 4 F 10 , 1.4 ppq yr −1 for C 5 F 12 , 5.0 ppq yr −1 for C 6 F 14 , 3.4 ppq yr −1 for C 7 F 16 and 0.9 ppq yr −1 for C 8 F 18 . The more recent slowdown in the growth rates suggests that emissions are declining as compared to the 1980s and 1990s.
Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of OXA-405, an OXA-48-Type Extended-Spectrum (cid:2) -Lactamase without Signiﬁcant Carbapenemase Activity

The epidemiology of carbapenemases worldwide is showing that OXA-48 variants are becoming the predominant carbapenemase type in Enterobacteriaceae in many countries. However, not all OXA-48 variants possess signiﬁcant activity toward carbapenems (e.g., OXA-163). Two Serratia marcescens isolates with resistance either to carbapenems or to extended-spectrum cephalosporins were successively recovered from the same patient. A genomic comparison using pulsed-ﬁeld gel electrophoresis and automated Rep-PCR typing identiﬁed a 97.8% similarity between the two isolates. Both strains were resistant to penicillins and ﬁrst-generation cephalosporins. The ﬁrst isolate was susceptible to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, was resistant to carbapenems, and had a signiﬁcant carbapenemase activity (positive Carba NP test) related to the expression of OXA-48. The sec-ond isolate was resistant to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, was susceptible to carbapenems, and did not express a signiﬁcant imipenemase activity, (negative for the Carba NP test) despite possessing a bla OXA-48 -type gene. Sequencing identiﬁed a novel OXA-48-type (cid:2) -lactamase, OXA-405, with a four-amino-acid deletion compared to OXA-48. The bla OXA-405 gene was located on a ca. 46-kb plasmid identical to the prototype IncL/M bla OXA-48 -carrying plasmid except for a ca. 16.4-kb deletion in the tra operon, leading to the suppression of self-conjugation properties. Biochemical analysis showed that OXA-405 has clavulanic acid-inhibited activity toward expanded-spectrum activity without signiﬁcant imipenemase activity. This is the ﬁrst identiﬁcation of a successive switch of catalytic activity in OXA-48-like (cid:2) -lactamases, suggesting their plasticity. Therefore, this report suggests that the ﬁrst-line screening of carbapenemase producers in Enterobacteriaceae may be based on the biochemical detection of carbapenemase activity in clinical settings.
Three ﬁshes in one: cryptic species in an Amazonian ﬂoodplain forest specialist

Accurately describing biodiversity in tropical regions such as Amazonia is difficult because of insufficient morphological inventories and the lack of studies on the distribution of genetic diversity. Aquatic organisms from Amazonian ﬂooded forests are generally expected to move laterally along the forests during the annual inundation cycle, a behaviour that should promote admixture of populations and reduce within-drainage speciation. We used an unprecedented ﬁne-scale sampling effort and multiple DNA markers to quantify region-wide population differentiation in an Amazonian ﬂoodplain forest specialist, the black-wing hatchet ﬁsh Carnegiella marthae (Myers, 1927). Our study revealed three previously unsuspected and ancient cryptic species of black-wing hatchet ﬁsh in the Rio Negro ﬂoodplain (RNF), in central Amazonia. Two species produce occasional ﬁrst-generation hybrids. The third and rarer species, although found in extreme sympatry with another species, appears to be reproductively isolated, and also differs in external morphology and dentition. Our ﬁndings have important implications for guiding conservation management because C. marthae is harvested commercially in the RNF ornamental ﬁshery. They also suggest that the diversity of Amazonian ichthyofauna is vastly underestimated, including that found in landscapes lacking contemporary barriers to account for population divergence and speciation. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2011, 102 , 391–403.
Self-tuned Projected Cross Point -- An Improved Current-Mode Control Technique

Self-tuned projected cross point control for power electronic converters is introduced. Projected cross point control (PCPC) combines the advantages of both analog and digital current-mode control techniques. Despite several advantages, accuracy of the PCPC method depends on the power stage inductor value. However, ferromagnetic characteristics of the inductor core material make the inductor measurement inaccurate. Furthermore, the inductor value is subject to change due to temperature variations or other environmental effects. To overcome the dependence of the PCPC method on the inductor value, selftuned PCPC approach is introduced in this paper. Unlike the conventional PCPC scheme, self-tuned PCPC method has excellent robustness against the variations of the inductor value. Hence, the average inductor current accurately follows its reference regardless of aging and temperature effects on the power stage inductor. Furthermore, the addition of the self-tuning mechanism does not interfere with the dynamic performance of the conventional PCPC method. Analytical analysis and simulation results show the superior accuracy and transient response of the self-tuned projected cross point control technique.
HYPROMELLOSE AND CARBOMER INDUCE BIOADHESION OF ACYCLOVIR TABLET TO VAGINAL MUCOSA

The present research indicates fabrication of an “economic” controlled release bioadhesive vaginal tablets containing acyclovir using only two polymers; Carbopol 934P (as bioadhesive agent) and HPMC K15 (as rate retardant) to provide therapeutic effectiveness for 12 hr duration. The tablets were prepared by direct compression method. The tablets and their constituent materials were evaluated in terms of micromeritics, pharmacopoeial test, and manufacturing parameters. The release mechanism(s) were also elucidated based on various kinetic models. The characteristics were found to be following: average weight of tablets (355-364 mg); drug content (98.91-101.32%); thickness of the tablets (3.21–3.25 mm); surface pH of the tablet formulation (4.41-4.65), hardness of the tablets (5-6 Kg/cm 2 ) and the friability of the batches was less than 1%. the higher swelling higher of HPMC K15 carbapol 934P. The drug transport mechanism(s) non-Fickian diffusion coincides with swelling erosion mechanism. The drug release process to be governed by two processes; diffusion). The current study indicated that the hydrophilic matrix tablet of acyclovir, employing hypromellose and carbomer be employed as twice daily, very economic bioadhesive vaginal controlled release dosage form. The formulation was found to be respect to bioadhesive and sustained release characteristic. The current study indicated that the hydrophilic matrix tablet of acyclovir, formulated employing only hypromellose and carbomer can successfully be employed as twice daily, very economic bioadhesive vaginal controlled release dosage form. The formulation was found to be suitable with respect to bioadhesive and sustained release characteristic. For treating local as well systemic infections, the formulation will successfully deliver the dose for the frequency of 2 times per day as compared to the conventional tablet dosage form which requires dosing of 4 to 5 times per day. The in vitro drug release study revealed that the formulation F9 delivered 96% of the drug in 12 hr duration. The results indicated a steady state sustained release pattern throughout 12 hr of the study which will improve the patient convenience due to less frequency of drug administration. The polymeric materials were found to be quite cheap, easily available, have high safety levels, and have regulatory approval. The research has the perspectives in commerciality of control release bioadhesive vaginal tablets since the optimized formulation delivers the desired pharmacotherapeutic regimen.