Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Complexity of Hub Labeling

Hub Labeling (HL) is a data structure for distance oracles. Hierarchical HL (HHL) is a special type of HL, that received a lot of attention from a practical point of view. However, theoretical questions such as NP-hardness and approximation guarantee for HHL algorithms have been left aside. In this paper we study HL and HHL from the complexity theory point of view. We prove that both HL and HHL are NP-hard, and present upper and lower bounds for the approximation ratios of greedy HHL algorithms used in practice. We also introduce a new variant of the greedy HHL algorithm and a proof that it produces small labels for graphs with small highway dimension.
Synchronous Bursts on Scale-Free Neuronal Networks with Attractive and Repulsive Coupling

This paper investigates the dependence of synchronization transitions of bursting oscillations on the information transmission delay over scale-free neuronal networks with attractive and repulsive coupling. It is shown that for both types of coupling, the delay always plays a subtle role in either promoting or impairing synchronization. In particular, depending on the inherent oscillation period of individual neurons, regions of irregular and regular propagating excitatory fronts appear intermittently as the delay increases. These delay-induced synchronization transitions are manifested as well-expressed minima in the measure for spatiotemporal synchrony. For attractive coupling, the minima appear at every integer multiple of the average oscillation period, while for the repulsive coupling, they appear at every odd multiple of the half of the average oscillation period. The obtained results are robust to the variations of the dynamics of individual neurons, the system size, and the neuronal firing type. Hence, they can be used to characterize attractively or repulsively coupled scale-free neuronal networks with delays.
Eigen-beamforming with delayed feedback and channel prediction

Adaptive transmit beamforming based on channel state information (CSI) is a key feature in next generation wireless cellular systems. However, CSI available for adaptation is imperfect due to feedback delay and estimation errors. In this work, we analyze the outage performance of maximum eigen-mode beamforming with imperfect CSI. First we analyze the outage probability in terms of the correlation coefficient ρ between the CSI available at the transmitter (CSIT) and the CSI available at the receiver (CSIR). The analysis shows that feedback delay leads to significant degradation at medium and high signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). Furthermore, the effect of delay can be overcome only if ρ tends to one with increasing SNR. Then, we study whether linear minimum mean squared error (MMSE) prediction can achieve the required behavior in ρ. The length of the prediction filter required is numerically evaluated and shown to increase with SNR. Finally, the asymptotic diversity order is analyzed as a function of the rate at which 1 − ρ approaches 0 as the SNR → ∞. Results show that for 1 − ρ proportional to SNR−1, the asymptotic diversity order remains unaltered.
IRIT at ImageCLEF 2011: Medical Retrieval Task

In this paper, we reported some experiments conducted by our members in the SIG team at the IRIT laboratory in the University of Toulouse within the context of the medical information retrieval (IR) task. As in our previous participation in ImageCLEF, in 2011, our re- search focuses on the case-based retrieval task. We compared the perfor- mance of different state-of-the-art term weighting models for retrieving patient cases that might best suit the clinical information need. Fur- thermore, we also combined term scores obtained by two state-of-the-art weighting models using a particular data fusion technique. Finally, a state-of-the-art query expansion (QE) technique is used for improving biomedical IR performance.
Role of arterial stiffness in cardiovascular disease

Propagation of the pressure wave along the arterial tree (pulse wave velocity [PWV]) is related to the intrinsic elasticity of the arterial wall. PWV is increased in stiffer arteries and, when measured over the aorta, is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Given the predictive power of PWV, identifying strategies that prevent or reduce stiffening may be important in prevention of cardiovascular events. One view is that aortic stiffness occurs as a result of atherosclerosis along the aorta. However, there is little or no association between PWV and classical risk factors for atherosclerosis, other than age and blood pressure. Furthermore, PWV does not increase during early stages of atherosclerosis, as measured by intima-media thickness and non-calcified atheroma, but it does increase in the presence of aortic calcification that occurs within advanced atherosclerotic plaque. Age-related widening of pulse pressure is the major cause of age-related increase in prevalence of hypertension and has been attributed to arterial stiffening. This review summarizes the methods of measuring aortic stiffness in humans, the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to aortic stiffness, including its association with atherosclerosis, and the haemodynamic consequences of increased aortic stiffness.
Dental clinic attendance in Soweto, South Africa, before and after the introduction of free primary dental health services.

OBJECTIVE To compare patient attendance rates 1 year before and after the introduction of free primary dental health services in Soweto, South Africa. METHODS Monthly clinic records for clinic attendance, both casual and booked, and number of dental operators were recorded 1 year either side of April 1996. RESULTS Patient attendance fluctuated by day and season. There was a mean 46% increase in attendance after free primary dental health services were introduced, with more than a sixfold increase in casual attendees (pain, sepsis) than in booked patients (restorative treatment, dentures, orthodontics). CONCLUSIONS There was a statistically significant increase in casual patient attendance in the year after free primary dental health care was introduced with an increased dental operator load.
Study and improvements for the real-time performance of Linux kernel

Based on the analysis and research done for Linux operating system kernel, a serial of methods are proposed to improve the real-time in Linux by aiming at the weakness of its real-time performance. The methods include resetting the running time granularity of processes, improving the memory-assignment strategies, and modifying the kernel swap daemon threads and schedule, etc. The experiment results show that the real-time in Linux has been improved greatly after applying these proposed methods to it.
Preschoolers' sleep behaviour: associations with parental hardiness, sleep-related cognitions and bedtime interactions.

BACKGROUND Childhood sleep problems which are prevalent in Western societies are associated with a wide range of emotional, cognitive and behavioural disturbances. Growing evidence suggests that parents play a pivotal role in children's sleep behaviour and that a parenting style which promotes self-regulation is beneficial. This study tested a unique model that included parental hardiness, sleep-related cognitions, bedtime interactions and child sleep behaviour. METHODS Parents (N = 110) with a child attending preschool (mean age = 3.81 years, SD = .84) responded to a survey assessing their level of hardiness, sleep-related cognitions, bedtime interactions and their child's sleep behaviour and temperament. Secondary caregivers completed a survey assessing child sleep and temperament, and teachers/childcare workers also reported on child temperament. RESULTS In line with previous research, 37% of children in this community sample met criteria for a sleep problem. Regression analyses and structural equation modelling confirmed that low parental hardiness, problematic sleep-related cognitions and a greater number of parental interactions at bedtime significantly predicted child sleep problems, after considering child temperament. CONCLUSIONS This study's theoretically driven model not only offers an explanation for what contributes to and maintains sleep problems in childhood but also suggests new areas for research. Importantly, the model can also be readily translated into clinical interventions to develop and enhance effective authoritative parenting.
Spatial Selectivity to Intracochlear Electrical Stimulation in the Inferior Colliculus is Degraded Following Long-Term Deafness in Cats

In an animal model of electrical hearing in prelingually deaf adults this study examined the effects of deafness duration on response thresholds and spatial selectivity (i.e., cochleotopic organization, spatial tuning and dynamic range) in the central auditory system to intracochlear electrical stimulation. Electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) thresholds and neural response thresholds in the external (ICX) and central (ICC) nuclei of the inferior colliculus were estimated in cats after varying durations of neonatally induced deafness: 1) in animals deafened <1.5 yr (short-deafened unstimulated, SDU cats) with a mean spiral ganglion cell (SGC) density of ~45% of normal and 2) in animals deafened >2.5 yr (long-deafened, LD cats) with severe cochlear pathology (mean SGC density <7% of normal). LD animals were subdivided into unstimulated cats and those that received chronic intracochlear electrical stimulation via a feline cochlear implant. Acutely deafened, implanted adult cats served as controls. Independent of their stimulation history, LD animals had significantly higher EABR and ICC thresholds than SDU and control animals Moreover, the spread of electrical excitation was significantly broader and the dynamic range significantly reduced in LD animals. Despite the prolonged durations of deafness the fundamental cochleotopic organization was maintained in both the ICX and the ICC of LD animals. There was no difference between SDU and control cats in any of the response properties tested. These findings suggest that long-term auditory deprivation results in a significant and possibly irreversible degradation of response thresholds and spatial selectivity to intracochlear electrical stimulation in the auditory midbrain. Page 2 of 50
Efficient multi-word expressions extractor using suffix arrays and related structures

For Information Retrieval purposes, there is a need for regularly processing predictably dynamic and potentially huge corpora for extraction of contiguous Multi Word Expressions (MWEs), in a way that should be computationally tractable. In this paper we'll be mainly exploring the use of Suffix Arrays, together with the SCP association measure and the Smoothed LocalMaxs algorithm. The choice of Suffix Arrays and the construction of auxiliary structures enabled a clear minimization of the time for extracting multi-word expressions, with linear complexity by the introduction of a limitation on the number of words. Despite the methodology being essentially of a statistical nature, we show how to handle hybrid extraction mechanisms.
MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Al-3 VOL% CNT NANOCOMPOSITES PROCESSED BY HIGH-PRESSURE TORSION

Al-3 vol% CNT nanocomposites were processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT) at room temperature under the pressure in the range of 2.5-10 GPa for up to 10 turns. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the microstructural evolutions upon HPT. Mechanical properties of the HPT-processed disks were studied using tensile tests and microhardness measurements. The results show gradual evolutions in the density, microstructure, and hardness with increasing the number of turns and applied presure. Nanostructured and elongated Al grains with an average grain thickness of ~40 nm perpendicular to the compression axis of HPT and an aspect ratio of ~3 are formed after 10 turns under 6 GPa. Evaluating the mechanical properties of the 10-turn processed Al/CNT nanocomposites indicates a tensile strength of 321 MPa and a hardness of 122 Hv. The tensile fracture surface of the Al/CNT nanocomposite mostly demonstrates a smooth fracture manner with fine dimples resulting in a low tensile ductility of ~1.5%.
Low level laser therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a metaanalysis.

OBJECTIVE Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affect a large proportion of the population. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) was introduced as an alternative noninvasive treatment for RA and OA about 10 years ago, but its effectiveness is still controversial. We assessed the effectiveness of LLLT in the treatment of RA and OA. METHODS A systematic review was conducted, following an a priori protocol, according to the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Trials were identified by a literature search of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Only randomized controlled trials of LLLT for the treatment of patients with a clinical diagnosis of RA or OA were eligible. Thirteen trials were included, with 212 patients randomized to laser and 174 patients to placebo laser, and 68 patients received active laser on one hand and placebo on the opposite hand. Treatment duration ranged from 4 to 10 weeks. Followup was reported by only 2 trials for up to 3 months. RESULTS In patients with RA, relative to a separate control group, LLLT reduced pain by 70% relative to placebo and reduced morning stiffness by 27.5 min (95% CI -52.0 to -2.9), and increased tip to palm flexibility by 1.3 cm (95% CI -1.7 to -0.8). Other outcomes such as functional assessment, range of motion, and local swelling were not different between groups. There were no significant differences between subgroups based on LLLT dosage, wavelength, site of application, or treatment length. In RA, relative to a control group using the opposite hand, there was no difference between control and treatment hand, but all hands were improved in terms of pain relief and disease activity. For OA, a total of 197 patients were randomized. Pain was assessed by 3 trials. The pooled estimate (random effects) showed no effect on pain (standardized mean difference -0.2, 95% CI -1.0 to +0.6), but there was statistically significant heterogeneity (p > 0.05). Other outcomes of joint tenderness, joint mobility, and strength were not significant. CONCLUSION LLLT should be considered for short term relief of pain and morning stiffness in RA, particularly since it has few side effects. For OA, the results are conflicting in different studies and may depend on the method of application and other features of the LLLT. Clinicians and researchers should consistently report the characteristics of the LLLT device and the application techniques. New trials on LLLT should make use of standardized, validated outcomes. Despite some positive findings, this metaanalysis lacked data on how effectiveness of LLLT is affected by 4 factors: wavelength, treatment duration of LLLT, dosage, and site of application over nerves instead of joints. There is a need to investigate the effects of these factors on effectiveness of LLLT for RA and OA in randomized controlled clinical trials.
Thresholded Rewards: Acting Optimally in Timed, Zero-Sum Games

In timed, zero-sum games, the goal is to maximize the probability of winning, which is not necessarily the same as maximizing our expected reward. We consider cumulative intermediate reward to be the difference between our score and our opponent's score; the "true" reward of a win, loss, or tie is determined at the end of a game by applying a threshold function to the cumulative intermediate reward. We introduce thresholded-rewards problems to capture this dependency of the final reward outcome on the cumulative intermediate reward. Thresholded-rewards problems reflect different real-world stochastic planning domains, especially zero-sum games, in which time and score need to be considered. We investigate the application of thresholded rewards to finite-horizon Markov Decision Processes (MDPs). In general, the optimal policy for a thresholded-rewards MDP will be non-stationary, depending on the number of time steps remaining and the cumulative intermediate reward. We introduce an efficient value iteration algorithm that solves thresholded-rewards MDPs exactly, but with running time quadratic on the number of states in the MDP and the length of the time horizon. We investigate a number of heuristic-based techniques that efficiently find approximate solutions for MDPs with large state spaces or long time horizons.
IT is not for everyone in China

A 2004 report by consulting firm Gartner Dataquest forecasts that the worldwide market for IT services will top $762.3 billion in 2008, up from $608.1 billion in 2004. The Asia-Pacific region's compound annual growth rate of 9.7% (projected 2003--2008) leads the world. IT services revenue in the region will thus top $43.9 billion in 2008, as China surpasses South Korea to become one of the three largest IT services markets in the region, along with Japan and Australia.The growth of China's enterprise software market in 2003--2004 reflected this broader trend. Sales of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, according to a 2004 China Computer World (CCW) research survey, totaled 1.19 billion yuan ($144 million U.S.) in the first half of 2004, up 29% over the same period a year earlier. Human resources software posted sales growth of 80.4% for the first half of 2004 over the same period a year earlier. On the other hand, customer relationship management software sales barely crossed the 200-million-yuan mark, up 2.2% over the same period a year earlier. Nonetheless, the CCW survey anticipated a customer relationship software boom in five years when Chinese companies have had enough time to digest their operational-level IT investments and move on to more sophisticated management software. Despite the mixed outcomes in terms of ERP implementation and use in China [4], the CCW survey found that 47% of Chinese enterprises had installed ERP modules, with an annual growth rate of 5% for new installations.
Adult body height, self perceived health and mortality in the Swedish population.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine adult body height as an indicator of general health. DESIGN: The study was a survey of a randomly selected sample of the adult Swedish population obtained by the Swedish National Central Bureau of Statistics. PARTICIPANTS: The sample studied was identified in 1980-81 and comprised 14,757 persons aged 16-74. Of these, 12,695 (86%) consented to interview. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Information was obtained on adult height, socioeconomic status in childhood and adult life, self perceived health, self reported longstanding illness, and mortality during a six year follow up. The numbers of people in three height groups who considered their general health as bad, who reported any longstanding illness or who died during the follow up were compared with the expected numbers in the same groups. The number of persons with reduced health and the number of deaths was larger than expected in the shortest height group. The excess risk of dying in the shortest group (about 20% higher compared to the tallest group) was reduced but not eliminated when present and childhood socioeconomic group was taken into account. Coronary heart disease mortality in particular was linked to height. The shortest group of men and women reported the largest proportion with bad general health and longstanding illness. For the latter the differences between height groups disappeared after controlling for present socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: There is a detectable excess risk of morbidity and mortality from being short. Assuming that the childhood environment is an important determinant of adult stature it is also important for adult health.
Echocardiographic determination of risk area size in a murine model of myocardial ischemia.

Genetically altered mice are useful to understand cardiac physiology. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) assesses myocardial perfusion in humans. We hypothesized it could evaluate murine myocardial perfusion before and after acute coronary ligation. MCE was performed before and after this experimental myocardial infarction (MI) in anesthetized mice by intravenous injection of contrast microbubbles and transthoracic echo imaging. Time-video intensity curves were obtained for the anterior, lateral, and septal myocardial walls. After MI, MCE defects were compared with the area of no perfusion measured by Evans blue staining. In healthy animals, intramyocardial contrast was visualized in all the cardiac walls. The anterior wall had a higher baseline video intensity (53 ± 17 arbitrary units) than the lateral (34 ± 13) and septal (27 ± 13) walls ( P < 0.001) and a lower increase in video intensity after contrast injection [50 ± 17 vs. 60 ± 24 (lateral) and 65 ± 29 (septum), P < 0.01]. After MI, left ventricular (LV) dimensions were enlarged, and the shortening fraction was decreased. A perfusion defect was imaged with MCE in every mouse, with a correlation between MCE perfusion defect size (35 ± 13%) and the nonperfused area by Evans blue (37 ± 16%, y = 0.77 x + 6.1, r = 0.93, P < 0.001). Transthoracic MCE is feasible in the mouse and can accurately detect coronary occlusions and quantitate nonperfused myocardium.
A role for PKCζ in potentiation of the topoisomerase II activity and etoposide cytotoxicity by wortmannin

Enhanced cytotoxicity of etoposide by wortmannin, an inhibitor of enzymes holding a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase domain, was investigated in eight cell lines proficient or deficient for DNA double-strand break repair. Wortmannin stimulated the decatenating activity of topoisomerase II, promoted etoposide-induced accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks, shifted the specificity for cell killing by etoposide from the S to G1 phase of the cell cycle, and potentiated the cytotoxicity of etoposide through two mechanisms. (a) Sensitization to high, micromolar amounts of etoposide required integrity of the nonhomologous end-joining repair pathway. (b) Wortmannin dramatically increased the susceptibility to low, submicromolar amounts of etoposide in a large fraction of the cell population irrespective of the status of ATM, Ku86, and DNA-PKCS. It is shown that this process correlates depression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–dependent phosphorylation of the atypical, ζ isoform of protein kinase C (PKCζ). Stable expression of a dominant-negative, kinase-dead mutant of PKCζ in a tumor cell line reproduced the hypersensitivity pattern induced by wortmannin. The results are consistent with up-regulation of the topoisomerase II activity in relation to inactivation of PKCζ and indicate that PKCζ may be a useful target to improve the efficiency of topoisomerase II poisons at low concentration.
Review Paper: The Effects of Promoting Patient Access to Medical Records: A Review

The Health Insurance Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA) stipulates that patients must be permitted to review and amend their medical records. As information technology makes medical records more accessible to patients, it may become more commonplace for patients to review their records routinely. This article analyzes the potential benefits and drawbacks of facilitating patient access to the medical record by reviewing previously published research. Previous research includes analysis of clinical notes, surveys of patients and practitioners, and studies of patient-accessible medical records. Overall, studies suggest the potential for modest benefits (for instance, in enhancing doctor-patient communication). Risks (for instance, increasing patient worry or confusion) appear to be minimal in medical patients. The studies, however, were of limited quality and low statistical power to detect the variety of outcomes that may result from implementation of a patient-accessible medical record. The data from these studies lay the foundation for future research.