Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Online matrix prediction for sparse loss matrices

We consider an online matrix prediction problem. FTRL is a standard method to deal with online prediction tasks, which makes predictions by minimizing the cumulative loss function and the regularizer function. There are three popular regularizer functions for matrices, Frobenius norm, negative entropy and log-determinant. We propose an FTRL based algorithm with log-determinant as the regularizer and show a regret bound of the algorithm. Our main contribution is to show that the log-determinant regularization is eective when loss matrices are sparse. We also show that our algorithm is optimal for the online collaborative ltering problem with the log-determinant regularization.
Human Helminth Co-Infection: Analysis of Spatial Patterns and Risk Factors in a Brazilian Community

Background Individuals living in areas endemic for helminths are commonly infected with multiple species. Despite increasing emphasis given to the potential health impacts of polyparasitism, few studies have investigated the relative importance of household and environmental factors on the risk of helminth co-infection. Here, we present an investigation of exposure-related risk factors as sources of heterogeneity in the distribution of co-infection with Necator americanus and Schistosoma mansoni in a region of southeastern Brazil. Methodology Cross-sectional parasitological and socio-economic data from a community-based household survey were combined with remotely sensed environmental data using a geographical information system. Geo-statistical methods were used to explore patterns of mono- and co-infection with N. americanus and S. mansoni in the region. Bayesian hierarchical models were then developed to identify risk factors for mono- and co-infection in relation to community-based survey data to assess their roles in explaining observed heterogeneity in mono and co-infection with these two helminth species. Principal Findings The majority of individuals had N. americanus (71.1%) and/or S. mansoni (50.3%) infection; 41.0% of individuals were co-infected with both helminths. Prevalence of co-infection with these two species varied substantially across the study area, and there was strong evidence of household clustering. Hierarchical multinomial models demonstrated that relative socio-economic status, household crowding, living in the eastern watershed and high Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were significantly associated with N. americanus and S. mansoni co-infection. These risk factors could, however, only account for an estimated 32% of variability between households. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that variability in risk of N. americanus and S. mansoni co-infection between households cannot be entirely explained by exposure-related risk factors, emphasizing the possible role of other household factors in the heterogeneous distribution of helminth co-infection. Untangling the relative contribution of intrinsic host factors from household and environmental determinants therefore remains critical to our understanding of helminth epidemiology.
O manhês e suas implicações para a constituição do sujeito na linguagem

Introduction: The motherese, as a melodic, rhythmic, calm and gentle voice of the mother or whoever holds the maternal role to communicate with the baby and the baby response that is a feedback during the dyade communication, has a fundamental role in language acquisition and child development studies. This paper intends to refl ect about the issue, throug the discussion of two cases in which one has motherese use and the other doesn’t, and to analyse the different implications to detect risks for language acquisition and subject constitution in each case. Methodology: The records were transcribed and studied to analyze the use of the motherese, the baby’s responses to it and mother – infant interaction. Results: the mothers studied presented different interactions with their babies. In motherese’s dyade occurred an enunciation mecanism of turn acomplishment and the passage to co-referenciation in the baby speech at thirteen months. In the dyade without motherese, there isn’t turn acomplishment and, due to other possible biological factors there seems to be the presence of development risks and the ausence of the enunciative co-referenciation mecanism for this baby until fi fteen months. Conclusion: The results suggest that the motherese is a fundamental aspect to detect developmental and language acquisition risks.
Osteoporosis: a risk factor in periodontal disease.

Osteoporosis is suspected as a risk factor in periodontal disease, but previous studies have failed to establish a relationship. Possible explanations for this could be lack of precise methods for assessment of osteoporosis in the jaws and confounding of the result by other factors such as age, gender, or smoking. In the present study 12 female patients with osteoporotic fractures (Group O) and 14 normal women (Group N) were examined clinically for plaque (VPI), gingival bleeding (GBI), and loss of attachment on the 6 Ramfjord index teeth. Bone mineral content (BMC) of the mandible and forearm was determined by dual photon scanning. Results were presented as arithmetic means +/- standard error, and differences between groups were tested by 2-sample t-test. The two groups were comparable with respect to age (O: 68.3 +/- 1.8 years, N: 68.1 +/- 1.5 years), menopausal age (O: 47.5 +/- 1.8 years, N: 47.2 +/- 1.3 years), and smoking habits (O: 4 smokers, N: 3 smokers). The osteoporotic women had significantly lower BMC values than controls in the mandible (O: 0.63 +/- 0.04 in U/cm2; N: 0.78 +/- 0.02 in U/cm2, P < 0.01) and forearm (O: 1.05 +/- 0.05 in U/cm; N: 1.28 +/- 0.05 in U/cm, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found with respect to plaque (O: 46.67 +/- 10.00%, N: 36.67 +/- 6.67%) and gingival bleeding (O: 46.67 +/- 11.67%, N: 43.33 +/- 10.00%), whereas significantly greater loss of attachment was seen in osteoporotic women (O: 3.65 +/- 0.18 mm, N: 2.86 +/- 0.19 mm, P < 0.01). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Coordinate Intracellular Expression ofSalmonella Genes Induced during Infection

ABSTRACT Salmonella typhimurium in vivo-induced (ivi) genes were grouped by their coordinate behavior in response to a wide variety of environmental and genetic signals, including pH, Mg2+, Fe2+, and PhoPQ. All of the seven ivi fusions that are induced by both low pH and low Mg2+ (e.g., iviVI-A) are activated by the PhoPQ regulatory system. Iron-responsive ivi fusions include those induced under iron limitation (e.g., entF) as well as one induced by iron excess but only in the absence of PhoP (pdu). Intracellular expression studies showed that each of the pH- and Mg2+-responsive fusions is induced upon entry into and growth within three distinct mammalian cell lines: RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and two cultured human epithelial cell lines: HEp-2 and Henle-407. Each ivi fusion has a characteristic level of induction consistent within all three cell types, suggesting that this class of coordinately expressed ivi genes responds to general intracellular signals that are present both in initial and in progressive stages of infection and may reflect their responses to similar vacuolar microenvironments in these cell types. Investigation of ivi expression patterns reveals not only the inherent versatility of pathogens to express a given gene(s) at various host sites but also the ability to modify their expression within the context of different animal hosts, tissues, cell types, or subcellular compartments.
Capital and Labor Effects in a Recall Task: More Evidence in Support of Camerer and Hogarth (1999)

This paper extends existing evidence on the interaction and relative productivity of cognitive effort and cognitive capital in an experimental environment. I focus on the impact of task-specific cognitive capital, which is central to the capital-labor argument of Camerer and Hogarth (1999) as well as related research in cognitive science and behavioral decision making. Using a memory recall task situated in an accounting setting, I show that the impact of taskspecific accounting knowledge on recall performance varies with the timing of the introduction of performance-contingent financial incentives. I further illustrate that subjects better endowed with task-specific accounting knowledge greater improve recall performance in response to the introduction of performance-contingent financial incentives. I draw implications for further research of the capital-labor-production framework and for compensation practices in experiments as well as work settings.
Price of electric futures forecasting based on error correction model

This paper analyses the forecasting price of electric futures at PJM power market. An error correction model is proposed to forecast price of electric futures. The model contains not only the lagged variables such as: futures prices and spot prices but also includes the long relationship between the futures prices and spot prices. Results show that the spot price is an important influence factor in the forecast of price of electric futures. Furthermore, the spot prices and futures prices are cointegrated, namely in the short term the spot prices and futures prices possibly deviate from the equilibrium condition, but in the long run they keep up the equilibrium relation. Finally, the proposed model is successfully applied to the price of electric futures forecast of the PJM power market.
Genomics of apicomplexan parasites

Abstract The increasing prevalence of infections involving intracellular apicomplexan parasites such as Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Cryptosporidium (the causative agents of malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis, respectively) represent a significant global healthcare burden. Despite their significance, few treatments are available; a situation that is likely to deteriorate with the emergence of new resistant strains of parasites. To lay the foundation for programs of drug discovery and vaccine development, genome sequences for many of these organisms have been generated, together with large-scale expression and proteomic datasets. Comparative analyses of these datasets are beginning to identify the molecular innovations supporting both conserved processes mediating fundamental roles in parasite survival and persistence, as well as lineage-specific adaptations associated with divergent life-cycle strategies. The challenge is how best to exploit these data to derive insights into parasite virulence and identify those genes representing the most amenable targets. In this review, we outline genomic datasets currently available for apicomplexans and discuss biological insights that have emerged as a consequence of their analysis. Of particular interest are systems-based resources, focusing on areas of metabolism and host invasion that are opening up opportunities for discovering new therapeutic targets.
Dental fluorosis and caries experience in relation to three different drinking water fluoride levels in South Africa.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between caries experience, degree of fluorosis and different concentrations of fluoride in the drinking water of children. SAMPLE AND METHODS The study included 282 children aged 10-15 years, who lived continuously since birth in three different naturally fluoridated areas (Leeu Gamka, 3.0; Kuboe 0.48 and Sanddrif 0.19 p.p.m. F), with virtually no dental care or any fluoride therapy The teeth of the children were examined for caries using the DMFT index according to th WHO criteria and for fluorosis, using Dean's criteria according to the WHO guidelines. RESULTS The prevalence of fluorosis (scores 2, 3, 4 and 5) among the school children was 47% in Sanddrif, 50% in Kuboes and 95% in Leeu Gamka. Almost half the children in the two low fluoride areas had no fluorosis (scores 0 and 1), whereas only 5% in Leeu Gamka had no fluorosis. Of the children in Sanddrif, 42.5% had very mild/mild (scores 2 and 3) fluorosis, 44.3% in Kuboes and 34.1% in Leeu Gamka. Except for one individual in Kuboes, severe fluorosis (score 5) was only observed in the high fluoride area in 30% of the children. According to the Bonferroni adaptation for multiple comparisons, the degree of fluorosis in Leeu Gamka differed significantly from both those of Sanddrif and Kuboes. The mean DMFT for the children in Sanddrif and Kuboe was similar (164 +/- 0.30 and 1.54 +/- 0.24, respectively) but the caries experience of Leeu Gamka (198 +/- 0.22) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of both the other two areas. A strong positive correlation (P < 0.05) was found between the caries experience and the fluorosis scores of children in the high fluoride area (Leeu Gamka) but no correlation could be found in the other two areas. Significantly (P < 0.01) more children had decayed teeth in the high F area (Leeu Gamka) than in the other two areas. CONCLUSION The results suggest a positive association between high F levels in the drinking water and dental caries. Furthermore, a low caries experience and no difference in DMFT and fluorosis between the two low fluoride areas were found.
The Balsa Asynchronous Circuit Synthesis System

The Balsa synthesis system is presented. Balsa generates purely asynchronous macromodular circuits from CSP-like descriptions similar to those of Philips’ Tangram tool. Balsa targets standardcell and FPGA technologies by producing gate level netlists. Place and route can be performed with existing commercial tools. The DMA controller for the AMULET3i asynchronous microprocessor macrocell is presented as a proof of design flow. AMULET3i is to be fabricated in 0.35 μm 3LM CMOS. Silicon is due to be received in August 2000.
An online learned hough forest model for multi-target tracking

We present an online learned framework for multiple target tracking in a crowded scene. The tracking problem is formulated as a detection-based progressive association task. Firstly, reliable tracklets are generated by low level constraints among detection responses. Then longer tracklets associations are generated based on online learned Hough forest framework which effectively combines motion and appearance information for discrimination between two tracklets. In online learning scene, the association is formulated as a MAP problem and training examples are collected based on spatial-temporal constraints. In order to alleviate the drifting problem of online learning, Hungarian algorithm is employed to modify associated errors and update the training set. The experimental results show the effectiveness of our approach.
Recognition of RNA duplexes by chemically modified triplex-forming oligonucleotides

Triplex is emerging as an important RNA tertiary structure motif, in which consecutive non-canonical base pairs form between a duplex and a third strand. RNA duplex region is also often functionally important site for protein binding. Thus, triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) may be developed to regulate various biological functions involving RNA, such as viral ribosomal frameshifting and reverse transcription. How chemical modification in TFOs affects RNA triplex stability, however, is not well understood. Here, we incorporated locked nucleic acid, 2-thio U- and 2′-O methyl-modified residues in a series of all pyrimidine RNA TFOs, and we studied the binding to two RNA hairpin structures. The 12-base-triple major-groove pyrimidine–purine–pyrimidine triplex structures form between the duplex regions of RNA/DNA hairpins and the complementary RNA TFOs. Ultraviolet-absorbance-detected thermal melting studies reveal that the locked nucleic acid and 2-thio U modifications in TFOs strongly enhance triplex formation with both parental RNA and DNA duplex regions. In addition, we found that incorporation of 2′-O methyl-modified residues in a TFO destabilizes and stabilizes triplex formation with RNA and DNA duplex regions, respectively. The (de)stabilization of RNA triplex formation may be facilitated through modulation of van der Waals contact, base stacking, hydrogen bonding, backbone pre-organization, geometric compatibility and/or dehydration energy. Better understanding of the molecular determinants of RNA triplex structure stability lays the foundation for designing and discovering novel sequence-specific duplex-binding ligands as diagnostic and therapeutic agents targeting RNA.
Effect of electrode thermal conductivity in cardiac radiofrequency catheter ablation: A computational modeling study

Purpose: Radiofrequency (RF ablation) is the treatment of choice for certain types of cardiac arrhythmias. Recent studies have suggested that using gold instead of platinum as the electrode material for cardiac catheter ablation leads to larger thermal lesions due to its higher thermal conductivity. In this study we created computer models to compare the effects of different electrode materials on lesion dimensions using different catheters, insertion depths, and flow rates. Materials and methods: Finite element method (FEM) models of two cardiac ablation electrodes (7Fr, length 4 mm and 8Fr, length 10 mm) made of platinum, gold, and copper were created with tissue insertion depths of 0.75, 1.25, and 2.5 mm. Convective cooling was applied to the electrode and tissue based on measurements from previous studies at different flow rates. RF ablations were simulated with both temperature control and constant power control algorithms to determine temperature profiles after 60 s. Results: With the constant power algorithm there was no difference in lesion dimensions between the electrode materials over the range of parameters. With the temperature control algorithm, lesion width and depth were only marginally larger (∼0.1–0.7 mm) with the gold and copper electrodes compared to the platinum electrode for all parameter combinations. Conclusion: Our computer modelling results show only minor increases in thermal lesion dimensions with electrode materials of higher thermal conductivity. These observed differences likely do not provide a significant advantage during clinical procedures.
Practical Criteria for Selecting International Arbitrators

This article addresses the important issue of the selection of the arbitrator which is a fundamental right of the parties since the quality of the arbitration depends on the quality of the arbitrator. It examines the selection process and practical considerations in choosing an arbitrator. In this sense, we analyze objective factors of selection, such as the expertise of the arbitrator, number of arbitrators, language of the arbitration, availability of the arbitrator, impact on the selection of the chairman, sex of the arbitrator, independence and impartiality, standing and influence of the arbitrator, and religion of the arbitrator. Then we examine the subjective factors of selection, indicating the types of arbitrator's personality that should be avoided (egomaniac, superlawyer, White Knight, wimp, superjudge and unemployed opportunist). Finally, we propose some practical steps to select an arbitrator, and some guidelines that should be followed to practice an appropriate pre-appointment interview.
Positive oriented periodic solutions of the first-order complex ODE with polynomial nonlinear part

We study nonlinear ODE problems in the complex Euclidean space, with the right-hand side being polynomial with nonconstant periodic coefficients. As the coefficients functions, we admit only functions with vanishing Fourier coefficients for negative indices. This leads to an existence theorem which relates the number of solutions with the number of zeros of the averaged right-hand side polynomial. A priori estimates of the norms of solutions are based on the Wirtinger-Poincaré-type inequality. The proof of existence theorem is based on the continuation method of Krasnosielski et al., Mawhin et al., and the Leray-Schauder degree. We give a few applications on the complex Riccati equation and some others.
Immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D on innate and adaptive immune responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae.

BACKGROUND Streptococcus pneumoniae forms part of the normal nasopharyngeal flora but can also cause a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases. Vitamin D has potent effects on human immunity, including induction of antimicrobial peptides and suppression of T-cell proliferation, but its ability to modulate the immune response to pneumococci is unknown. METHODS Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) were stimulated with pneumococcal peptidoglycan (PGN) in the presence or absence of vitamin D. Expression of maturation markers, cytokines, pattern recognition receptors, and antimicrobial peptides were measured with flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Stimulated DCs were cocultured with autologous T-helper cells, and concentrations of T-helper (Th) 1-, Th17-, and regulatory T-cell-related cytokines were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Vitamin D enhanced DC maturation and expression of the migration marker C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) in PGN-stimulated cells. It also enhanced expression of key pattern recognition receptors (Toll-like receptor 2, Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 [Nod2]) and induced a synergistic up-regulation of the inflammatory mediator IL-1β and the β-defensin Human Beta Defensin 3 (hBD-3). Furthermore, vitamin D skewed the DC-mediated T-helper response to PGN from an inflammatory Th1/Th17 phenotype toward a regulatory T-cell phenotype. CONCLUSION Vitamin D modulates key elements of innate immunity while dampening adaptive immune responses in DCs after pneumococcal challenge, which may have implications for prevention and treatment of pneumococcus-induced inflammation.
Managing Creativity: The Dynamics of Work and Organization

Индустрии творчества растут как экономически, так и с точки зрения их культурного авторитета. Книга посвящена организации творчества и его динамике. Различные компании в сфере культуры по-своему структурируют свою работу с учетом стремления творческих работников к автономии. Вместе с тем, менеджмент предполагает контроль и координацию, направленные на обеспечение эффективности производства. Понятие творческого императива вводится с тем, чтобы показать, как организация отличается в сферах широковещания, рекламы, печатной индустрии, индустрии звукозаписи, а также в области исполнительских искусств. При этом одним из важных вопросов является вопрос о динамике стратегий производства и организации с точки зрения перехода от их индустриальных форм к постиндустриальным.
GrooveNet: A Hybrid Simulator for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Networks

Vehicular networks are being developed for efficient broadcast of safety alerts, real-time traffic congestion probing and for distribution of on-road multimedia content In order to investigate vehicular networking protocols and evaluate the effects of incremental deployment it is essential to have a topology-aware simulation and test-bed infrastructure. While several traffic simulators have been developed under the intelligent transport system initiative, their primary motivation has been to model and forecast vehicle traffic flow and congestion from a queuing perspective. GrooveNet is a hybrid simulator which enables communication between simulated vehicles, real vehicles and between real and simulated vehicles. By modeling inter-vehicular communication within a real street map-based topography it facilitates protocol design and also in-vehicle deployment GrooveNet's modular architecture incorporates mobility, trip and message broadcast models over a variety of link and physical layer communication models. It is easy to run simulations of thousands of vehicles in any US city and to add new models for networking, security, applications and vehicle interaction. GrooveNet supports multiple network interfaces, GPS and events triggered from the vehicle's on-board computer. Through simulation, we are able to study the message latency, and coverage under various traffic conditions. On-road tests over 400 miles lend insight to required market penetration