Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Animal Models of Tourette Syndrome—From Proliferation to Standardization

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood onset disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics and associated with multiple comorbid symptoms. Over the last decade, the accumulation of findings from TS patients and the emergence of new technologies have led to the development of novel animal models with high construct validity. In addition, animal models which were previously associated with other disorders were recently attributed to TS. The proliferation of TS animal models has accelerated TS research and provided a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the disorder. This newfound success generates novel challenges, since the conclusions that can be drawn from TS animal model studies are constrained by the considerable variation across models. Typically, each animal model examines a specific subset of deficits and centers on one field of research (physiology/genetics/pharmacology/etc.). Moreover, different studies do not use a standard lexicon to characterize different properties of the model. These factors hinder the evaluation of individual model validity as well as the comparison across models, leading to a formation of a fuzzy, segregated landscape of TS pathophysiology. Here, we call for a standardization process in the study of TS animal models as the next logical step. We believe that a generation of standard examination criteria will improve the utility of these models and enable their consolidation into a general framework. This should lead to a better understanding of these models and their relationship to TS, thereby improving the research of the mechanism underlying this disorder and aiding the development of new treatments.
Visual Tilt Estimation for Planar-Motion Methods in Indoor Mobile Robots

Visual methods have many applications in mobile robotics problems, such as localization, navigation, and mapping. Some methods require that the robot moves in a plane without tilting. This planar-motion assumption simplifies the problem, and can lead to improved results. However, tilting the robot violates this assumption, and may cause planar-motion methods to fail. Such a tilt should therefore be corrected. In this work, we estimate a robot’s tilt relative to a ground plane from individual panoramic images. This estimate is based on the vanishing point of vertical elements, which commonly occur in indoor environments. We test the quality of two methods on images from several environments: An image-space method exploits several approximations to detect the vanishing point in a panoramic fisheye image. The vector-consensus method uses a calibrated camera model to solve the tilt-estimation problem in 3D space. In addition, we measure the time required on desktop and embedded systems. We previously studied visual pose-estimation for a domestic robot, including the effect of tilts. We use these earlier results to establish meaningful standards for the estimation error and time. Overall, we find the methods to be accurate and fast enough for real-time use on embedded systems. However, the tilt-estimation error increases markedly in environments containing relatively few vertical edges.
Hospitals Quality Competition and Specialization Choice under Regulated Price

Non-price competition strategy is a major health policy concern in many countries. This paper studies the treatment specialization choice and quality level competition among hospitals. We extend a two-stage spatial duopoly model, with the partially altruistic providers firstly choosing specialization and then determining quality level when the treatment price is set exogenously by central planner. The first best conclusion of quality is that two hospitals always invest equally much is quality, which suggests the “quality weapon” between hospitals in reality. Then, specialization-quality equilibrium gives the conclusion that quality competition introduces a centrifugal effect in the specialization game. And with the unmatched cost between patients disease and hospital’s specialization is lower, hospitals' equilibrium quality level and specialization differentiation will decrease.
Unsupervised Learning of Categorical Segments in Image Collections

Which one comes first: segmentation or recognition? We propose a unified framework for carrying out the two simultaneously and without supervision. The framework combines a flexible probabilistic model, for representing the shape and appearance of each segment, with the popular “bag of visual words” model for recognition. If applied to a collection of images, our framework can simultaneously discover the segments of each image and the correspondence between such segments, without supervision. Such recurring segments may be thought of as the “parts” of corresponding objects that appear multiple times in the image collection. Thus, the model may be used for learning new categories, detecting/classifying objects, and segmenting images, without using expensive human annotation.
SPLASH: structural pattern localization analysis by sequential histograms

MOTIVATION The discovery of sparse amino acid patterns that match repeatedly in a set of protein sequences is an important problem in computational biology. Statistically significant patterns, that is patterns that occur more frequently than expected, may identify regions that have been preserved by evolution and which may therefore play a key functional or structural role. Sparseness can be important because a handful of non-contiguous residues may play a key role, while others, in between, may be changed without significant loss of function or structure. Similar arguments may be applied to conserved DNA patterns. Available sparse pattern discovery algorithms are either inefficient or impose limitations on the type of patterns that can be discovered. RESULTS This paper introduces a deterministic pattern discovery algorithm, called Splash, which can find sparse amino or nucleic acid patterns matching identically or similarly in a set of protein or DNA sequences. Sparse patterns of any length, up to the size of the input sequence, can be discovered without significant loss in performances. Splash is extremely efficient and embarrassingly parallel by nature. Large databases, such as a complete genome or the non-redundant SWISS-PROT database can be processed in a few hours on a typical workstation. Alternatively, a protein family or superfamily, with low overall homology, can be analyzed to discover common functional or structural signatures. Some examples of biologically interesting motifs discovered by Splash are reported for the histone I and for the G-Protein Coupled Receptor families. Due to its efficiency, Splash can be used to systematically and exhaustively identify conserved regions in protein family sets. These can then be used to build accurate and sensitive PSSM or HMM models for sequence analysis. AVAILABILITY Splash is available to non-commercial research centers upon request, conditional on the signing of a test field agreement. CONTACT acal@us.ibm.com, Splash main page http://www.research. ibm.com/splash
GPU-Based Speculative Query Processing for Database Operations

With an increasing amount of data and user demands for fast query processing, the optimization of database operations continues to be a challenging task. A common optimization method is to leverage parallel hardware architectures. With the introduction of general-purpose GPU computing, massively parallel hardware has become available within commodity hardware. To efficiently exploit this technology, we introduce the method of speculative query processing. This speculative query processing works on, but is not limited to, a prefix tree structure to efficiently support heavily used database index operations. Fundamentally, our developed approach traverse a prefix tree structure in a speculative, parallel way instead of a step-by-step traversing. To show the benefits and opportunities of our novel approach, we present an exhaustive evaluation on a graphical processing unit.
Cytomegalovirus Replication Kinetics in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients Managed by Preemptive Therapy

After allotransplantation, cytomegalovirus (CMV) may be transmitted from the donor organ, giving rise to primary infection in a CMV negative recipient or reinfection in one who is CMV positive. In addition, latent CMV may reactivate in a CMV positive recipient. In this study, serial blood samples from 689 kidney or liver transplant recipients were tested for CMV DNA by quantitative PCR. CMV was managed using preemptive antiviral therapy and no patient received antiviral prophylaxis. Dynamic and quantitative measures of viremia and treatment were assessed. Median peak viral load, duration of viremia and duration of treatment were highest during primary infection, followed by reinfection then reactivation. In patients who experienced a second episode of viremia, the viral replication rate was significantly slower than in the first episode. Our data provide a clear demonstration of the immune control of CMV in immunosuppressed patients and emphasize the effectiveness of the preemptive approach for prevention of CMV syndrome and end organ disease. Overall, our findings provide quantitative biomarkers which can be used in pharmacodynamic assessments of the ability of novel CMV vaccines or antiviral drugs to reduce or even interrupt such transmission.
Three-dimensional microwave tomography: experimental prototype of the system and vector Born reconstruction method

A method of image reconstruction in three-dimensional (3-D) microwave tomography in a weak dielectric contrast case has been developed. By utilizing only one component of the vector electromagnetic field this method allows successful reconstruction of images of 3-D mathematical phantoms, a prototype of the 3-D microwave tomographic system capable of imaging 3-D objects has been constructed. The system operates at a frequency of 2.36 GHz and utilizes a code-division technique. With dimensions of the cylindrical working chamber z=40 cm and d=60 cm, the system allows measurement of an attenuation up to 120 dB having signal-to-noise ratio about 30 dB. The direct problem solutions for different mathematical approaches were compared with an experimentally measured field distribution inside the working chamber. The tomographic system and the reconstruction method were tested in simple experimental imaging.
A cache-defect-aware code placement algorithm for improving the performance of processors

Yield improvement through exploiting fault-free sections of defective chips is a well-known technique (Koren and Singh (1990) and Stapper et al. (1980)). The idea is to partition the circuitry of a chip in a way that fault-free sections can function independently. Many fault tolerant techniques for improving the yield of processors with a cache memory have been proposed. In this paper, we propose a defect-aware code placement technique which offsets the performance degradation of a processor with a defective cache memory. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first compiler-based technique which offsets the performance degradation due to cache defects. Experiments demonstrate that the technique can compensate the performance degradation even when 5% of cache lines are faulty. In some cases the technique was able to offset the impact even in presence of 25% faulty cache-lines.
The Role of Random Allocation in Randomized Controlled Trials: Distinguishing Selection Bias from Baseline Imbalance

Background: This paper addresses one threat to the internal validity of a randomized controlled trial (RCT), selection bias. Many authors argue that random allocation is used to ensure baseline equality between study conditions in a given study and that statistically significant differences at pretest mean that randomisation has failed. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of random allocation in an RCT study. Is the role of random allocation to protect against selection bias? And does it have a further role, namely to ensure baseline equality and the absence of statistically significant differences between study conditions at pretest? Setting: The participants for this study were 229 children in 1st and 2nd grade and data were collected as part of an RCT evaluation of a volunteer reading programme piloted in Ireland, Wizards of Words (WoW). Intervention: Not applicable. Research design: The allocation procedure adopted in this study was stratified and blocked random allocation. Data collection and analysis: Data were collected using standardised and criterion-referenced tests of reading ability. Data were collected by qualified Speech and Language Therapists. Independent-samples t-tests were used to analyse pretest data. Findings: The role of random allocation is to protect against selection bias, and statistically significant baseline differences can result even when random allocation has been successful. Whether or not random allocation has been successful is determined by the generation of the random allocation sequence and the steps taken to ensure its concealment. The size of differences between study conditions at pretest can be important for the analysis of posttest data but does not by itself determine whether random allocation was successful. In addition, there are serious concerns about the appropriateness of tests of significance when comparing two study conditions at pretest. Keywords: baseline equality; baseline imbalance; random allocation; selection bias; test of statistical significance
Applying Petri Nets to Approximation of the Euclidean Distance with the Example of SIFT

SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform) is a complex image processing procedure for matching objects or patterns in images. Involving the computation of Euclidean distances in high dimensional space of many pairs of points and matching them against a threshold, this work proposes a speedup for the procedure utilizing colored Petri nets. Being sped up more pairs can be evaluated within reasonable time leading to better overall results.
Limit behaviour of the truncated pathwise Fourier-transformation of L\'evy-driven CARMA processes for non-equidistant discrete time observations

This paper considers a continuous time analogue of the classical autoregressive moving average processes, L\'evy-driven CARMA processes. First we describe limiting properties of the periodogram by means of the so-called truncated Fourier transform if observations are available continuously. The obtained results are in accordance with their counterparts from the discrete-time case. Then we discuss the numerical approximation of the truncated Fourier transform based on non-equidistant high frequency data. In order to ensure convergence of the numerical approximation to the true value of the truncated Fourier transform a certain control on the maximal distance between observations and the number of observations is needed. We obtain both convergence to the continuous time quantity and asymptotic normality under a high-frequency infinite time horizon limit.
Rho-GTPase signaling drives melanoma cell plasticity

To investigate mechanisms that underlie different modes of tumor cell movement we have studied how regulation of the activity of the Rho family GTPases determines the mode of tumor cell movement. Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase accelerating proteins (GAPs) are key regulators of the activity of small GTPases with GEFs promoting activation to the GTP bound state and GAPs promoting inactivation by stimulating GTP hydrolysis. We identified two important signaling pathways regulating amoeboid and mesenchymal types of motility in melanoma. Here, we discuss our findings in the context of how specificity of Rho signaling is achieved by GEFs and GAPs.
Computerized Versus Paper‐and‐Pencil Testing Methods for a Nursing Certification Examination: A Review of the Literature

In conjunction with the decision of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) to computerize its examinations, the literature was reviewed to identify comparative studies of computerized versus paper-and-pencil testing methods and to determine the relative advantages of each. Data sources included journal articles and newsletter features identified via the ERIC, CINAHL, and PubMed databases or through frequent citation in the literature. The majority of studies found test scores to be independent of delivery mode. Several advantages of computerized testing were identified, including scheduling convenience, instant scoring capability, and enhanced security. One disadvantage may be an increase in testing anxiety for those without previous experience, although results in this area were mixed. Finally, studies and surveys often indicate an acceptance and preference for linear computer-based testing (CBT) by examinees.
Lipids as Modulators of Proteolytic Activity of BACE

The β-secretase, BACE, is a membrane spanning aspartic protease, which cleaves the amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the first step of proteolytic processing leading to the formation of the neurotoxic β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). Previous results have suggested that the regulation of β-secretase and BACE access to APP is lipid dependent, and involves lipid rafts. Using the baculovirus expression system, we have expressed recombinant human full-length BACE in insect cells and purified milligram amounts to homogeneity. We have studied partitioning of fluorophor-conjugated BACE between the liquid ordered and disordered phases in giant (10–150 μm) unilamellar vesicles, and found ∼20% to associate with the raft-like, liquid-ordered phase; the fraction associated with liquid-ordered phase increased upon cross-linking of raft lipids. To examine involvement of individual lipid species in modulating BACE activity, we have reconstituted the purified BACE in large (∼100 nm) unilamellar vesicles, and determined its specific activity in vesicles of various lipid compositions. We have identified 3 groups of lipids that stimulate proteolytic activity of BACE: 1) neutral glycosphingolipids (cerebrosides), 2) anionic glycerophospholipids, and 3) sterols (cholesterol).
Porous structure optimisation of flash-calcined metakaolin/fly ash geopolymer foam concrete

Abstract This study reports the production and characterisation of geopolymer foam concrete (GFC). This material is foreseen for use as a self-bearing insulation material. In order to identify an optimal paste composition, eight mixtures were made and are presented in a ternary diagram (dry extract of alkaline solution, flash-calcined metakaolin (MK) and fly ash (FA)). The characterisation of these pastes (initial setting time (IST), shrinkage and compressive strength) indicated an optimal composition corresponding to 25% of activator, 62.5% of MK and 12.5% of FA. The GFCs were then produced by inserting variable amounts of H2O2 (1, 1.5 and 2%) into the geopolymer paste. The fresh GFC porous structure was stabilised with surfactant. The GFCs produced had low densities (225 < ρ < 506 kg/m3) associated with low thermal conductivities (0.07 < λ < 0.12 W/(m.K)) and acceptable compressive strength (0.5 < Rc < 1.85 MPa, for samples cured at 20 °C). A significant influence of the surfactant content on the porous structure was demonstrated. The lower surfactant content led to a porous structure made of larger bubbles separated by wider matrix walls promoting GFC compressive strength.
Development and use of culture systems to modulate specific cell responses

In the last century, the cell culture systems used to conduct in vitro research have been predominantly of the two-dimensional (2D) type, which is to say that cells within these systems were exposed to the gravitational force and to polarity of their environment. Recent advances in tissue engineering and in cell imaging techniques now allow certain forms of culture in three-dimensional (3D) environments. Recently, an important number of observations taken from 3D systems show large discrepancies compared to observations taken from 2D systems. Furthermore, important variability has been observed for 3D systems which can be attributed to the diverse nature of the materials used, mass transfer properties of the system and force fields applied on the cells by their surroundings. The aim of this review chapter is to outline the most important observations recently taken from 3D systems, as well as describe the biochemical, mechanical and transport properties of commonly used 3D cell culture systems. This is accomplished in order to understand the effect of 3D systems parameters on cell response and to outline the importance of 3D systems to study cells in vitro.
Identification of linear parameter-varying systems via IO and subspace identification - a comparison

A common challenge associated with designing a Linear Parameter-Varying (LPV) controller for a nonlinear plant is identification of a plant model in state-space form with static parameter dependency. Till date, the two most frequently used methods to solve this problem are special canonical forms of Input-Output (IO) and subspace (SS) identification. This paper compares both identification methods on various criteria with a focus on low-complexity LPV systems. Features of both methods are illustrated by identification results on a simulated MIMO LPV system taken from the literature and by experimental results on the air-path system of a gasoline engine. Finally, some insight into the selection of an identification method for a given model class is provided.
The Leyton Obsessional Inventory

SUMMARY The construction and development of an inventory of 69 questions dealing with the subjective assessment of obsessional traits and symptoms is described. A card-sorting procedure requiring supervision is used, which gives rise to information about feelings of resistance and interference with other activities, in addition to the straightforward answers to the questions. The resulting scores are shown to differentiate well between a group of selected obsessional patients and normals. The problem of to what extent replies to apparently specific questions in inventories and questionnaires can be interpreted as having only general significance is discussed.
Transient occlusion of an angioguard protection system by massive embolization during angioplasty of a degenerated aortocoronary saphenous vein graft

Distal embolization is the most important complication of balloon dilatation of degenerated saphenous vein grafts. We describe a case of massive embolization associated with transient occlusion in which larger distal embolization and myocardial infarction were avoided despite transient but complete occlusion of a filter protection system (Angioguard). Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;55:501–504. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.