Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An algorithm for approximate closest-point queries

This paper gives an algorithm for approximately solving the <italic>post office problem:</italic> given <italic>n</italic> points (called sites) in <italic>d</italic> dimensions, build a data structure so that, given a query point <italic>q</italic>, a closest site to <italic>q</italic> can be found quickly. The algorithm is also given a relative error bound ε, and depends on a ratio &rgr;, which is no more than the ratio of the distance between the farthest pair of sites to the distance between the closest pair of sites. The algorithm builds a data structure of size <italic>O</italic>(<italic>n</italic>&eegr;)<italic>O</italic>(1/ε)<supscrpt>(<italic>d</italic>−1)/2</supscrpt> in time <italic>O</italic>(<italic>n</italic><supscrpt>2</supscrpt>&eegr;)<italic>O</italic>(1/ε)<supscrpt>(<italic>d</italic>−1)</supscrpt>. Here &eegr;=log(&rgr;/ε). With this data structure, a site is returned whose distance to a query point <italic>q</italic> is within 1+ε of the distance of the closest site. A query needs <italic>O</italic>(log<italic>n</italic>)<italic>O</italic>(1/ε)<supscrpt>(<italic>d</italic>−1)/2</supscrpt> time, with high probability.
Group swimming and aquatic exercise programme for children with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 14-week aquatic exercise programme for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Design: Non-randomized control trial. Methods: Twelve children participated in this pilot study with seven participants in the aquatic exercise group and five in the control group. The programme was held twice per week for 40 minutes per session. Swimming skills, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, mobility skills and participant and parent satisfaction were measured before and after the intervention. Results: No significant between-group changes were found. Within-group improvements for swimming skills were found for the intervention group. Programme attendance was high. Parents and children were very satisfied with the programme activities and instructors. Conclusions: This pilot programme was feasible and showed potential for improving swimming ability in children with ASD. Exercise intensity was low for some participants, most likely contributing to a lack of significant findings on fitness outcomes.
Invasive Plants -- A Horticultural Perspective

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Mark A. McCann, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Alma C. Hobbs, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
A Novel Role for Sema3A in Neuroprotection from Injury Mediated by Activated Microglia

Microglia exist under physiological conditions in a resting state but become activated after neuronal injury. Recent studies have highlighted the reciprocal role of neurons in controlling both the number and activity of microglia. In this study, microglia derived from newborn rat cortices were cultured and activated by interferon-γ (IFNγ) treatment, then exposed to recombinant Sema3A or conditioned medium derived from stressed embryonic cortical neurons. We found that activation of microglia by IFNγ induced differential upregulation of the semaphorin receptors Plexin-A1 and Neuropilin-1. This result was confirmed by Northern blotting, reverse transcription-PCR, and Western blotting. Furthermore, recombinant Sema3A induced apoptosis of microglia when added to the in vitro culture, and a similar result was obtained on activated microglia when Sema3A was produced by stressed neurons. Using an in vivo model of microglia activation by striatal injection of lipopolysaccharide demonstrated a corresponding upregulation of Plexin-A1 and Neuropilin-1 in activated microglia and enhanced production of Sema3A by stressed adult neurons. These results suggest a novel semaphorin-mediated mechanism of neuroprotection whereby stressed neurons can protect themselves from further damage by activated microglia.
Cenp-E inhibitor GSK923295: Novel synthetic route and use as a tool to generate aneuploidy

Aneuploidy is a common feature of cancer, with human solid tumour cells typically harbouring abnormal chromosome complements. The aneuploidy observed in cancer is often caused by a chromosome instability phenotype, resulting in genomic heterogeneity. However, the role aneuploidy and chromosome instability play in tumour evolution and chemotherapy response remains poorly understood. In some contexts, aneuploidy has oncogenic effects, whereas in others it is anti-proliferative and tumour-suppressive. Dissecting fully the role aneuploidy plays in tumourigenesis requires tools and facile assays that allow chromosome missegregation to be induced experimentally in cells that are otherwise diploid and chromosomally stable. Here, we describe a chemical biology approach that induces low-level aneuploidy across a large population of cells. Specifically, cells are first exposed to GSK923295, an inhibitor targeting the mitotic kinesin Cenp-E; while the majority of chromosomes align at the cell's equator, a small number cluster near the spindle poles. By then driving these cells into anaphase using AZ3146, an inhibitor targeting the spindle checkpoint kinase Mps1, the polar chromosomes are missegregated. This results in, on average, two chromosome missegregation events per division, and avoids trapping chromosomes in the spindle midzone, which could otherwise lead to DNA damage. We also describe an efficient route for the synthesis of GSK923295 that employs a novel enzymatic resolution. Together, the approaches described here open up new opportunities for studying cellular responses to aneuploidy.
Predictors of Standard Follow-Up Completion after Sexual Exposure to HIV: Five-Year Retrospective Analysis in a French HIV-Infection Care Center

Objectives The care of exposed individuals to HIV remains a challenge regarding follow-up completion and HIV-testing of the partner. Identifying patients with risk of not fulfilling HIV-testing follow-up completion (FC), among patients demanding non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP), may improve clinical practice. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted in a single French HIV-infection care center. FC predictors were assessed in a multivariate logistic regression model (Likelihood ratios test). Results Between 2009 and 2013, 646 sexual exposures to HIV were evaluated for nPEP, of which 507 effectively received nPEP (78%). FC rate was 30% (194/646). In the multivariate analysis, FC rates rose with age of exposed individuals (OR, 1.04 [0.25–4.28]; p<0.001) and decreased with the year of sexual exposure (OR, 0.74 [0.65–0.85]; p<0.001). FC was associated with sexual encounter with a sex worker (OR, 4.07 [0.98–16.82]; p<0.001) and nPEP use (OR, 2.69 [2.37–3.06]; p<0.001). nPEP early discontinuation was associated with decreased FC rates (OR, 0.18 [0.08–0.39]; p<0.001). No documented nPEP failure was identified. However, five Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) nPEP recipients for unprotected anal receptive intercourse subsequently seroconverted to HIV more than 6 months after nPEP. Seroconversion to HIV was associated with the lack of FC (p = 0.04) and multiple presentations for nPEP over the study period (p = 0.002). Conclusions We identified significant predictors of not fulfilling sequential HIV-testing. They appear to be linked with a self-perceived HIV risk, especially in young adults recently exposed. Enhanced counseling in targeted individuals with high risk behaviors and using smartphone and internet-based strategies may be interesting retention in care options.
Cell recognition using wavelet templates

The paper describes an algorithm to count and classify cells of different geometrical shapes on a given image. The algorithm assumes that it is known a priori the type of geometries to be recognized and it allows for many different geometrical shapes to appear in the same image with different sizes, locations and orientations. The algorithm combines classical tools, mainly the two dimensional Fourier transform, with newly developed tools for edge enhancements as well as the main technical contribution of the present paper, which consists in the definition of an over-complete set of spanning functions. These functions are constructed from geometrical templates of size comparable to the image cells; moreover, the resulting functions are scaled and rotated to assure the recognition of all image cells. We then describe an algorithm that decomposes the image in its most likely elements. The combination of ingredients used by the algorithm provides a cell recognition tool that is very robust, provides high resolution to discern among competing candidate cells and delivers practical computational efficiency.
Slip Suppression of Electric Vehicles using Model Predictive PID Controller

In this paper, a new model predictive PID controller design method for the slip suppression control of EVs (electric vehicles) is proposed. The proposed method aims to improve the maneuverability and the stability of EVs by controlling the wheel slip ratio. The optimal control gains of PID framework are derived by the model predictive control (MPC) algorithm. There also include numerical simulation results to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Keywords—Model Predictive Control, PID controller, Electric Vehicle, Slip suppression
Low-Latitude Boundary Layer Under Different IMF Orientations

The structure of the magnetopause has been a subject of an intensive study for many years. At low latitudes, one can identify the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) on the magnetospheric side and rather often a depletion layer on the magnetosheath side of the magnetopause. A thickness of these layers varies from 0.2 to 1 Earth’s radius but several examples of a very thick LLBL have been reported at flank parts of the magnetopause. Plasma parameters inside the LLBL are variable, the spacecraft usually observes a mixture of magnetosheath and plasma sheet plasmas. Several mechanisms including intermittent reconnection, impulsive penetration, and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. The magnetopause and LLBL were crossed by the Interball-1 and Magion-4 satellite pair at various local times and with differing satellite separations. The present study employs a statistical approach to determine typical conditions for both low and high magnetic shears. Furthermore, the presented case studies reveal complicated structure of boundary layers: the depletion layer, outer and inner LLBL. The layers usually move in accord but, under some circumstances, only one boundary is unstable as it is demonstrated in this paper. We discuss the stability conditions for different boundaries within the magnetopause layer.
A REINFORCEMENT LEARNING APPROACH TO COGNITIVE RADIO

In this paper a bio-inspired Cognitive Radio system is proposed. The chosen technique to guarantee “intelligence” to the system is Reinforcement Learning (RL). This machine learning approach, resembling the cognitive process of biological entities, guarantees robustness and flexibility to unforeseen situations. A practical application is shown and some related results are provided.
Incidence of constipation in an intensive care unit

Objectives To evaluate the incidence of constipation in critical patients on enteral nutrition in a hospital intensive care unit and to correlate this incidence with the variables found for critical patients. Methods The present investigation was a retrospective analytical study conducted in the intensive care unit of Hospital Regional da Asa Norte (DF) via the analysis of medical records of patients admitted during the period from January to December 2011. Data on the incidence of constipation and enteral nutritional support, gastrointestinal changes, stool frequency, ventilatory support, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results The initial sample consisted of 127 patients admitted to the unit during the period from January to December 2011. Eighty-four patients were excluded, and the final sample consisted of 43 patients. The incidence of constipation, defined as no bowel movement during the first 4 days of hospitalization, was 72% (n=31). The patients were divided into a control group and a constipated group. The group of constipated patients reached the caloric target, on average, at 6.5 days, and the control group reached the caloric target in 5.6 days (p=0.51). Constipation was not associated with the length of hospital stay, suspension of nutritional support, or outcome of hospitalization. There was an association between evacuation during hospitalization and a longer duration of hospitalization for a subgroup of patients who did not evacuate during the entire period (p=0.009). Conclusion The incidence of constipation in the unit studied was 72%. Only the absence of evacuation during hospitalization was associated with longer hospital stays. Constipation was not associated with the length of hospital stay, suspension of nutritional support, or outcome of hospitalization.
Berufserfolg im Transformationsprozess : eine theoretisch-empirische Studie über die Gewinner und Verlierer der Wende in Ostdeutschland

This study focuses on the explanation of changes in occupational success in East Germany since the political turnover in 1989. In a broader context it aims to explain how the winners and losers of transformation processes as in East Germany emerge. The explanation of occupational success is based on the assumption that as a consequence of political change the economic system has changed and with it the labour market conditions. Labour market actors meet with these new conditions by varying degrees. They will use their resources in order to adapt to labour market changes as successfully as possible. As resources, human capital as well as social and political resources are investigated. Next to changing labour market conditions and different resources of labour market participants, other actor restrictions (i.e., their family situation and other social characteristics) are considered to provide explanations of changing labour market success. To get an understanding of the changes of the East German labour market, document studies and expert interviews have been conducted. Survey data about the East German work force were analysed to chart the changes for different labour market segments and different regions. Career data of labour market participants have been collected in a joint Dutch-German data collection. Two randomly selected samples in Leipzig and Dresden were repeatedly interviewed between 1992 and 1994 resulting in about 850 interviews with 490 persons. These persons were between 30 and 55 years of age who had a job before the turnover in 1989. The questionnaires provide data on the former personal networks as well as the living and working conditions of the respondents. The results of this study come from analyses of the combined data on general labour market changes and individual careers. Using the job-titles of all respondents in 1989, they were categorized with regard to labour market segments and types of occupations. In this way, data about changing labour market conditions, resources of individual labour market participants, and their social characteristics could be analysed with regard to their particular impact on changes in occupational success, that is employment status, income and occupational prestige. For statistical analyses mainly regression methods are applied.
The Role of Social Networks in Online reviewing

Online reviews are a dominant resource for consumer decisions but what leads users to write reviews remains largely unexamined. Extant research on user content generation has primarily focused on what motivates users to contribute content, and less on the effects of informational and social environment surrounding these users. The aim of this study is to examine how a user’s contribution to an online review platform is affected by reviews of his/her friends from both informational and social perspectives. We expect that information, reciprocity, and social comparison are primary drivers for contribution. Among friends who wrote reviews, we predict that those who carry redundant information have less effect on the focal user’ contribution, whereas those who are strong-tie friends of the focal user have a stronger effect. Furthermore, we expect that users’ status moderates these effects such that an elite user responds more positively to friends who carry redundant information, and more negatively to those who are strong-tie friends, compared to non-elite users. Our expected findings hold implications for online review platforms in terms of highlighting the most relevant reviews generated by one’s peers.
Hydrodynamic stability of flow between rotating porous cylinders with radial and axial flow

A linear stability analysis was carried out for axial flow between a rotating porous inner cylinder and a concentric, stationary, porous outer cylinder when radial flow is present for several radius ratios. The radial Reynolds number, based on the radial velocity at the inner cylinder and the inner radius, was varied from −15 to 15, and the axial Reynolds number based on the mean axial velocity and the annular gap was varied from 0 to 10. Linear stability analysis for axisymmetric perturbations results in an eigenvalue problem that was solved using a numerical technique based on the Runge–Kutta method combined with a shooting procedure. At a given radius ratio, the critical Taylor number at which Taylor vortices first appear for radial outflow decreases slightly for small positive radial Reynolds numbers and then increases as the radial Reynolds number becomes more positive. For radial inflow, the critical Taylor number increases as the radial Reynolds number becomes more negative. For a given radial Reyn.
Network code design for orthogonal multi-user channel with broadcasting relay: A joint source channel network coding approach

In this paper, a joint source channel and network coding approach to network code design in an orthogonal multiuser channel with a broadcasting relay is presented. The network consists of a source communicating with several destinations with the assistance of a single instantaneous relay. The relay receives the source transmissions and broadcasts to all the destinations. Aiming at a complexity limited solution, we design the proper instantaneous code (mapping) at the relay to minimize the average reconstruction distortion at the destinations. To this end, by decomposing the source and channel-network distortions, an efficient design algorithm is presented. A motivating formulation for a family of structured nonlinear network codes for given rates of source and relay is also proposed. Numerical results and comparison with linear network coding at the relay and the corresponding rate-distortion bound demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed schemes and a promising research direction.
Persistent Price Dispersion in Online Markets

Using data from one of the Internet’s leading price comparison sites for consumer electronics products, we present evidence for the persistence of price dispersion for 36 homogeneous products. The markets for these products are “thick” with an average of over 20 firms selling each product. We show that prices do not converge to the “law of one price” even after an 18 month period. This finding is robust to controls for differences in shipping charges and inventories. Further, we show that product life cycle effects lead to changes in the number of competing firms and the range of price dispersion consistent with the theoretical predictions of the Varian (1980) model. The average number of competing firms declines from about 28 to 10 during the final five months of our dataset. Over this same period, the average range in prices decreases from about 75 percent to 30 percent. After accounting for firm heterogeneities in costs, branding, reputation, trust, product availability and shipping costs, 28 percent of the variation in prices charged for homogeneous products remains unexplained. This is also consistent with the Varian model.
Level I Signal Modeling and Adaptive Spectral Analysis 1 Learning Objectives

• Students will learn how to develop an adaptive technique that relies on autoregressive signal modeling to estimate the spectrum for a range gate of data. In particular, when a range gate has more than one type of scatterer, multiple peaks in the Doppler spectrum may appear. Thus the autoregressive parameters can be used to represent the peaks in the spectrum, which is very similar to the modeling of voice data.
Explicit Constructions and Bounds for Batch Codes with Restricted Size of Reconstruction Sets

Linear batch codes and codes for private information retrieval (PIR) with a query size $t$ and a restricted size $r$ of the reconstruction sets are studied. New bounds on the parameters of such codes are derived for small values of $t$ or of $r$ by providing corresponding constructions. By building on the ideas of Cadambe and Mazumdar, a new bound in a recursive form is derived for batch codes and PIR codes.
Immune Responses of Mice Intraduodenally Infected with Toxoplasma gondii KI-1 Tachyzoites

Toxoplasma gondii Korean isolate (KI-1) tachyzoites were inoculated intraduodenally to BALB/c mice using a silicon tube, and the course of infection and immune responses of mice were studied. Whereas control mice, that were infected intraperitoneally, died within day 7 post-infection (PI), the intraduodenally infected mice survived until day 9 PI (infection with 1×105 tachyzoites) or day 11 PI (with 1×106 tachyzoites). Based on histopathologic (Giemsa stain) and PCR (B1 gene) studies, it was suggested that tachyzoites, after entering the small intestine, invaded into endothelial cells, divided there, and propagated to other organs. PCR appeared to be more sensitive than histopathology to detect infected organs and tissues. The organisms spread over multiple organs by day 6 PI. However, proliferative responses of splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells in response to con A or Toxoplasma lysate antigen decreased significantly, suggesting immunosuppression. Splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes showed decreases in number until day 9 PI, whereas IFN-γ and IL-10 decreased slightly at day 6 PI and returned to normal levels by day 9 PI. No TNF-α was detected throughout the experimental period. The results showed that intraduodenal infection with KI-1 tachyzoites was successful but did not elicit significant mucosal immunity in mice and allowed dissemination of T. gondii organisms to systemic organs. The immunosuppression of mice included reduced lymphoproliferative responses to splenocytes and MLN cells to mitogen and low production of cytokines, such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10, in response to T. gondii infection.