Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimized State Space Grids for Abstractions

The practical impact of abstraction-based controller synthesis methods is currently limited by the immense computational effort for obtaining abstractions. In this note we focus on a recently proposed method to compute abstractions whose state space is a cover of the state space of the plant by congruent hyper-intervals. The problem of how to choose the size of the hyper-intervals so as to obtain computable and useful abstractions is unsolved. This note provides a twofold contribution towards a solution. Firstly, we present a functional to predict the computational effort for the abstraction to be computed. Secondly, we propose a method for choosing the aspect ratio of the hyper-intervals when their volume is fixed. More precisely, we propose to choose the aspect ratio so as to minimize a predicted number of transitions of the abstraction to be computed, in order to reduce the computational effort. To this end, we derive a functional to predict the number of transitions in dependence of the aspect ratio. The functional is to be minimized subject to suitable constraints. We characterize the unique solvability of the respective optimization problem and prove that it transforms, under appropriate assumptions, into an equivalent convex problem with strictly convex objective. The latter problem can then be globally solved using standard numerical methods. We demonstrate our approach on an example.
Identifying the Priority Topics for the Assessment of Competence in Care of the Elderly

Background With Canada’s senior population increasing, there is greater demand for family physicians with enhanced skills in Care of the Elderly (COE). The College of Family Physicians Canada (CFPC) has introduced Certificates of Added Competence (CACs), one being in COE. Our objective is to summarize the process used to determine the Priority Topics for the assessment of competence in COE. Methods A modified Delphi technique was used, with online surveys and face-to-face meetings. The Working Group (WG) of six physicians acted as the nominal group, and a larger group of randomly selected practitioners from across Canada acted as the Validation Group (VG). The WG, and then the VG, completed electronic write-in surveys that asked them to identify the Priority Topics. Responses were compiled, coded, and tabulated to identify the topics and to calculate the frequencies of their selection. The WG used face-to-face meetings and iterative discussion to decide on the final topic names. Results The correlation between the initial Priority Topic list identified by the VG and that identified by the WG is 0.6793. The final list has 18 Priority Topics. Conclusion Defining the required competencies is a first step to establishing national standards in COE.
Effect of cereal test breakfasts differing in glycemic index and content of indigestible carbohydrates on daylong glucose tolerance in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND Frequent hyperglycemic episodes are increasingly being associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE We studied the extent to which acute glycemia and glycemia after subsequent meals can be modulated by the characteristics of cereal foods, such as glycemic index (GI) and content of indigestible carbohydrates. DESIGN Twelve healthy subjects consumed test meals in a random order. In series 1, the test meals were consumed at breakfast, and postprandial blood glucose incremental areas under the curve (IAUCs) were calculated after the test breakfast, standardized lunch, and standardized dinner. In series 2, the subjects consumed test evening meals and IAUCs were calculated after a subsequent standardized breakfast. Breath hydrogen was measured as an indicator of colonic fermentation. RESULTS Barley or rye kernel breakfasts lowered the blood glucose IAUC (0-120 min) at breakfast, at a subsequent lunch, and the cumulative IAUCs (breakfast+lunch+dinner) when compared with white-wheat bread (P < 0.05). The lunch blood glucose IAUCs were positively correlated with breakfast IAUCs (r = 0.30, P < 0.05). Breath hydrogen excretion was negatively correlated with blood glucose IAUCs after lunch (r = -0.33, P < 0.05) and dinner (r = -0.22, P < 0.05). A barley kernel evening meal resulted in lower IAUCs (P < 0.05) and higher breath hydrogen (P < 0.001) after a subsequent breakfast compared with white-wheat bread. CONCLUSIONS Glucose tolerance at subsequent meals can be notably improved during the course of a whole day or overnight by choosing specific low-GI, whole-grain cereal products. A low GI may be sufficient to achieve a second-meal effect from breakfast to lunch. A specific indigestible carbohydrate mixture appears to be required to show benefits on glucose tolerance in a longer time frame (9.5 h), most likely mediated through colonic fermentation.
CoRec: A Cooperative Reconstruction Pattern for Multiple Failures in Erasure-Coded Storage Clusters

It is indispensable to speed up a reconstruction process in erasure-coded storage clusters, because a fast data recovery helps to shorten the vulnerability window while improving storage system reliability. To address double- and multiple-node failures, this paper proposes a cooperative reconstruction pattern - CoRec - to minimize reconstruction traffic. CoRec not only enables all rebuilding nodes to collaboratively reconstruct failed blocks but also limits each surviving block to be transferred over network only once. To clarify two CoRec based reconstruction schemes (i.e., CoRec-rn and CoRec-sn), we investigate two alternative reconstruction schemes (i.e., CRec and DRec). We develop reconstruction-time models, which are validated using empirical data, to estimate reconstruction performance of large-scale storage clusters and to pinpoint performance bottlenecks in the reconstruction process. We implement a proof-of-concept prototype where the four reconstruction schemes are quantitatively evaluated. Experimental results show that CoRec-rn and CoRec-sn significantly reduce the reconstruction time of CRec and DRec. In a real-world 9-node storage cluster, CoRec-rn speeds up the double-node reconstruction of CRec and DRec by a factor of at least 1.72, CoRec-sn accelerates the double-node reconstruction of CRec and DRec by a factor of at least 4.76.
Point: in health and in a normoxic environment, VO2 max is limited primarily by cardiac output and locomotor muscle blood flow.

Starting in the 1950s, a number of experiments provided the experimental evidence supporting the original concept elaborated on by Hill and Lupton ([12][1]): in health, Vo2 max in normoxia is limited primarily by cardiac output and locomotor muscle blood flow ([17][2]). The main variable
Differences in neural pathways are related to the short- or long-term benefits of constraint-induced movement therapy in patients with chronic stroke and hemiparesis: a pilot cohort study

Abstract Background No previous studies have determined how the post-stroke integrity of non-corticospinal neural pathways relates to the efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). Objectives We aimed to clarify the relationship between several non-corticospinal neural pathway integrities and the short- and long-term benefits of CIMT. Methods This was a pilot cohort study (UMIN registration number: R00027136UMIN000023566), for which we enrolled 13 patients with chronic stroke and hemiparesis who had undergone CIMT. We assessed patients’ motor function improvement by comparing the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scores, as well as the Amount of Use (AOU) and Quality of Movement (QOM) scales of the Motor Activity Log before, immediately after (short-term), and 6 months after (long-term) CIMT. We assessed neural pathway integrity by calculating fractional anisotropy (FA) in diffusion tensor images acquired before CIMT. We then assessed correlations between FA and short- and long-term post-CIMT motor function improvements. Results The patients showed significant improvements in all functional assessments at both short- and long-term follow-ups. Immediate FMA score improvements were significantly correlated with FA of the affected anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC), body of the corpus callosum, column and body of the fornix (CBF), cingulate cortex (CgC), cerebral peduncle (CP), and posterior limb of the internal capsule. Six-month FMA score improvements were significantly correlated with FA of the affected ALIC, CgC, CBF, CP, and superior frontooccipital fasciculus. Conclusions The integrity of the affected corticospinal and non-corticospinal motor pathways was associated with CIMT-induced motor learning at least 6 months after CIMT.
Simultaneous information and global motion analysis ("SIGMA") for car-like robots

This paper proposes a new algorithm named "SIGMA" to address the problem of simultaneous information and global motion analysis for a car working in unstructured outdoor environments. The map of the environment is made by a Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithm that uses an Hybrid Metric Map (HYMM) structure for mapping. The path planning approach presents a global solution maximizing overall information gain of the map. The cost function used considers the present and future uncertainty in the map and vehicle and is based on the variation of the covariance matrix trace. Eigenvalue concepts are utilized to determine overall information change from the information matrix properties. An information graph is constructed followed by a search to find the optimal information-based rough path. Results are presented to demonstrate performance of the algorithm.
Soy Isoﬂavones Affect Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins (SREBPs) and SREBP-Regulated Genes in HepG2 Cells 1,2

Soy intake reduces cholesterol levels. However, both the identity of the soy component or components that contribute to this reduction and the cellular mechanism producing this reduction are unknown. Soy consists of protein, lipids, ﬁber, and phytochemicals including isoﬂavones. We propose that the isoﬂavone component of soy mediates this effect, at least in part, by affecting cellular sterol homeostasis. We investigated the effects of an isoﬂavone-containing soy extract and the individual isoﬂavones on the maturation of the sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBP) and the expression of SRE-regulated genes controlling lipid metabolism. We found a corresponding increase in the mature form of SREBP-2 in both soy extract– and isoﬂavone-treated HepG2 cells, whereas there was no signiﬁcant change in the levels of SREBP-1. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglu-taryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase protein and HMG CoA synthase mRNA levels also increased. When HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with HMG CoA synthase and LDL receptor reporter plasmids there was an increase in expression in response to soy extract or isoﬂavone treatment from both of these promoters, but this induction was blunted in the presence of sterols ( P (cid:1) 0.05). The mechanism responsible for this effect may be via a statin-like inhibition of HMG CoA reductase enzyme activity or by enhanced SREBP processing via the SREBP cleavage activating protein. We hypothesize that maturation of SREBP and induction of SRE-regulated genes produce an increase in surface LDL receptor expression that increases the clearance of plasma cholesterol, thus decreasing plasma cholesterol levels. J. Nutr. 134: 2942–2947, 2004.
Response modification factor of mixed structures

Mixed structures consist of two parts: a lower part and an upper part. The lower part is usually made of concrete while the upper part is made of steel. Analyzing these structures is complicated and code-based design of them has many associated problems. In this research, the seismic behavior of mixed structures which have reinforced concrete frames and shear walls in their lower storeys and steel frames with bracing in their upper storeys were studied. For this purpose, seventeen structures in three groups of 5, 9 and 15 storey structures with different numbers of concrete and steel storeys were designed. Static pushover analysis, linear dynamic analysis and incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) using 15 earthquake records were performed by OpenSees software. Seismic parameters such as period, response modification factor and ductility factor were then obtained for the mixed (hybrid) structures using more than 4600 nonlinear dynamic analysis and used in the regression analysis for achieving proper formula. Finally, some formulas, effective in designing such structures, are presented for the mentioned parameters. According to the results obtained from this research, the response modification factor values of mixed structures are lower compared to those of steel or concrete ones with the same heights. This fact might be due to the irregularities of stiffness, mass, etc., at different heights of the structure. It should be mentioned that for the first time, the performance and seismic response of such structures were studied against real earthquake accelerations using nonlinear dynamic analysis, andresponse modification factor was obtained by IDA.
Future Research Directions in Pneumonia. NHLBI Working Group Report

&NA; Pneumonia is a complex pulmonary disease in need of new clinical approaches. Although triggered by a pathogen, pneumonia often results from dysregulations of host defense that likely precede infection. The coordinated activities of immune resistance and tissue resilience then dictate whether and how pneumonia progresses or resolves. Inadequate or inappropriate host responses lead to more severe outcomes such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and to organ dysfunction beyond the lungs and over extended time frames after pathogen clearance, some of which increase the risk for subsequent pneumonia. Improved understanding of such host responses will guide the development of novel approaches for preventing and curing pneumonia and for mitigating the subsequent pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications of pneumonia. The NHLBI assembled a working group of extramural investigators to prioritize avenues of host‐directed pneumonia research that should yield novel approaches for interrupting the cycle of unhealthy decline caused by pneumonia. This report summarizes the working group's specific recommendations in the areas of pneumonia susceptibility, host response, and consequences. Overarching goals include the development of more host‐focused clinical approaches for preventing and treating pneumonia, the generation of predictive tools (for pneumonia occurrence, severity, and outcome), and the elucidation of mechanisms mediating immune resistance and tissue resilience in the lung. Specific areas of research are highlighted as especially promising for making advances against pneumonia.
Seed Germination in Desert Annuals: An Empirical Test of Adaptive Bet Hedging

Temporal variability in survivorship and reproduction is predicted to affect the evolution of life‐history characters. Desert annual plants experience temporal variation in reproductive success that is largely caused by precipitation variability. We studied several populations of the desert annual Plantago insularis along a precipitation gradient. Whereas models of bet hedging in unpredictable environments generally predict one optimal germination fraction for a population, empirical studies have shown that environmental conditions during germination can cause a range of germination fractions to be expressed. In a 4‐yr field study, we found that populations in historically more xeric environments had lower mean germination fractions, as is predicted by bet‐hedging models. However, populations exhibited significant variation in germination among years. Two experimental studies measuring germination under several environment conditions were conducted to elucidate the source of this in situ variation. Germination fractions exhibited phenotypic plasticity in response to water availability and date within the season. Populations differed in their norms of reaction such that seeds from more xeric populations germinated under less restrictive conditions. A pattern of delayed germination consistent with among‐year bet‐hedging predictions arose in the field through the interaction of seed germinability and the distribution of environmental conditions during germination.
Bootstrapping dictionaries for cross-language information retrieval

The bottleneck for dictionary-based cross-language information retrieval is the lack of comprehensive dictionaries, in particular for many different languages. We here introduce a methodology by which multilingual dictionaries (for Spanish and Swedish) emerge automatically from simple seed lexicons. These seed lexicons are automatically generated, by cognate mapping, from (previously manually constructed) Portuguese and German as well as English sources. Lexical and semantic hypotheses are then validated and new ones iteratively generated by making use of co-occurrence patterns of hypothesized translation synonyms in parallel corpora. We evaluate these newly derived dictionaries on a large medical document collection within a cross-language retrieval setting.
Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder after facial injury: a 1-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND This study examined the prevalence, severity, and predictors of persistent traumatic stress symptoms in socioeconomically disadvantaged adults after orofacial injury. METHODS A 1-year prospective study of 336 socioeconomically disadvantaged adults treated for orofacial injury at a Level I trauma center was conducted. Univariate analyses were performed on early measures of injury characteristics, prior trauma exposure, coping resources, and psychosocial functioning to select potential predictors of 1-year posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores; independence of variable contribution was then evaluated in multiple regression analyses. RESULTS A substantial number of patients (23%) continued to experience significant PTSD symptomatology at 12 months. Predictors of PTSD symptoms at 12 months included current and lifetime mental health and social service needs, lifetime social service use, prior trauma exposure, sum of stressful life events in the year preceding injury, patient report of pain severity and inadequate social support at 10 days postdischarge, and PTSD scores at 1 month. One-month PTSD symptoms, unmet social service need, and need for more instrumental and emotional support were independent predictors of 12-month PTSD outcomes. Limitations include loss to follow up, use of self-report measures, and the possibility of additional traumatization in the follow-up year influencing symptom levels. CONCLUSIONS Many socioeconomically disadvantaged adults manifest negative psychological outcomes even 1 year after an orofacial injury. Poor social support and unmet social service needs immediately after the injury, as well as high PTSD symptoms at 1 month postinjury, are strongly associated with the risk of developing chronic PTSD. The surgical management of orofacial injuries in disadvantaged individuals should integrate case management that addresses psychosocial sequelae and patient service needs.
Dietary (n-3)/(n-6) fatty acid ratio: possible relationship to premenopausal but not postmenopausal breast cancer risk in U.S. women.

Recent research has suggested that an increased (n-3) fatty acid intake and/or increased (n-3)/(n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio in the diet is associated with a lower breast cancer risk. This case-control study investigated the association between intake of (n-3) and other fatty acids and the (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA ratio and breast cancer risk. After combining data from two related case-control studies in Connecticut, we had information available on a total of 1119 women (565 cases and 554 controls). Cases were all histologically confirmed, incident breast carcinoma patients. Controls were hospital-based (Yale-New Haven Hospital study site) and population-based (Tolland County study site). Information on dietary intake was obtained through a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Standard multivariate methods were used to address the independent effects of specific fatty acids, fat classes and macronutrients on breast cancer risk. In the full study population, there were no significant trends for any macronutrient/fatty acid when comparing the highest to the lowest quartile of intake. When the analysis was restricted to premenopausal women, consumption of the highest compared with the lowest quartile of the (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA ratio was associated with a nonsignificant 41% lower risk of breast cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29, 1.19, P for trend = 0.09]. A higher (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA ratio was significantly associated with a lower risk of breast cancer when the data were restricted to the Tolland County (population-based) study site; OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.27, 0.95, P for trend = 0.02. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a higher (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA ratio may reduce the risk of breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women.
Cortical networks involved in visual awareness independent of visual attention

Significance Do specific areas of the brain participate in subjective visual experience? We measured brain activity in humans using fMRI. Participants were aware of a visual stimulus in one condition and unaware of it in another condition. The two conditions were balanced for their effect on visual attention. Specific brain areas were more active in the aware than in the unaware condition, suggesting they were involved in subjective awareness independent of attention. The largest cluster of activity was found in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), supporting a recent suggestion that the TPJ plays a role in computations concerning awareness. It is now well established that visual attention, as measured with standard spatial attention tasks, and visual awareness, as measured by report, can be dissociated. It is possible to attend to a stimulus with no reported awareness of the stimulus. We used a behavioral paradigm in which people were aware of a stimulus in one condition and unaware of it in another condition, but the stimulus drew a similar amount of spatial attention in both conditions. The paradigm allowed us to test for brain regions active in association with awareness independent of level of attention. Participants performed the task in an MRI scanner. We looked for brain regions that were more active in the aware than the unaware trials. The largest cluster of activity was obtained in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) bilaterally. Local independent component analysis (ICA) revealed that this activity contained three distinct, but overlapping, components: a bilateral, anterior component; a left dorsal component; and a right dorsal component. These components had brain-wide functional connectivity that partially overlapped the ventral attention network and the frontoparietal control network. In contrast, no significant activity in association with awareness was found in the banks of the intraparietal sulcus, a region connected to the dorsal attention network and traditionally associated with attention control. These results show the importance of separating awareness and attention when testing for cortical substrates. They are also consistent with a recent proposal that awareness is associated with ventral attention areas, especially in the TPJ.