Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary bilevel optimization using KKT proximity measure

Bilevel optimization problems are often reduced to single level using Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions; however, there are some inherent difficulties when it comes to satisfying the KKT constraints strictly. In this paper, we discuss single level reduction of a bilevel problem using approximate KKT conditions which have been recently found to be more useful than the original and strict KKT conditions. We embed the recently proposed KKT proximity measure idea within an evolutionary algorithm to solve bilevel optimization problems. The idea is tested on a number of test problems and comparison results have been provided against a recently proposed evolutionary algorithm for bilevel optimization. The proposed idea leads to significant savings in lower level function evaluations and shows promise in further use of KKT proximity measures in bilevel optimization algorithm development.
Laboratory Values for Children With Newly Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to determine how often common laboratory tests yield normal results at the time of diagnosis for children with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS. Data were obtained from a registry of children with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease who were enrolled prospectively in 18 US/Canadian centers. Laboratory values investigated included hemoglobin level, platelet count, albumin level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Disease severity was categorized by physician global assessment. RESULTS. A total of 526 children (mean age: 11.6 years; 58% male; 392 with Crohn disease and 134 with ulcerative colitis) were studied. All 4 values were normal for 21% of patients with mild Crohn disease and 54% with mild ulcerative colitis. In contrast, only 3.8% of children with moderate/severe Crohn disease and 4.3% with moderate/severe ulcerative colitis had normal results for all 4 tests. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was least likely to be normal; overall, 26% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease had a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate, including 18% with moderate/severe disease. Hemoglobin levels were normal for 32%, platelet counts for 50%, and albumin levels for 60%. There was no clear association between Crohn disease location and either severity or number of normal laboratory values. In contrast, there were direct correlations between ulcerative colitis disease severity and both the extent of bowel inflammation and the number of abnormal laboratory tests. CONCLUSION. The presence of normal screening laboratory studies should not dissuade clinicians from considering a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.
Implementation of a 3rd-generation SPARC V9 64 b microprocessor

This 3rd-generation, superscalar processor, implementing the SPARC V9 64 b architecture, improves performance over previous processors by improvements in the on-chip memory system and circuit designs enhancing the speed of critical paths beyond the process entitlement. In the on-chip memory system, both bandwidth and latency are scaled. Keys to scaling memory latency are a sum-addressed memory data cache, which allows the average memory latency to scale by more than the clock ratio, and the use of a prefetch data cache. Memory bandwidth is improved by using wave-pipelined SRAM designs for on-chip caches and a write cache for store traffic. The chip operates at 800 MHz and dissipates <60 W from a 1.5 V supply. It contains 23 M transistors (12 M in RAM cells) on a 244mm/sup 2/ die. This paper contrasts this 7-metal-layer-aluminum, 0.15 /spl mu/m CMOS design with the previous generations designs. To deal with the growing microprocessor complexity, more aggressive circuit-techniques, interconnect delay optimization, crosstalk reduction, improved power and clock distribution schemes, and better thermal management are used.
An Efficient Circuit for the Quantum Walk Update Rule

We show how to efficiently implement quantum update rules corresponding to arbitrary sparse classical walks (Markov chains). These rules are required to realize quantum walks as defined by Szegedy [8]. Our efficient construction settles theoften-raised objection against this core element of quantum walk based algorithms. The key component we use is Grover and Rudolph’s method for preparing coherent versions of probability distributions that are obtained by discretizing efficiently integrable probability densities [15].
Analysis of expression and function of the costimulatory molecule 4-1BB in alloimmune responses.

BACKGROUND 4-1BB (CD137) is a T cell costimulatory molecule that promotes T cell activation. In this study, we investigated the role of 4-1BB costimulation in allogeneic T cell responses. METHODS Vascularized heart transplantation, allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR), and graft versus host disease models were used to examine 4-1BB and 4-1BBL expression. In addition, agonistic anti-4-1BB antibodies were used in MLR to functionally analyze T cell responses. RESULTS Using a heart transplant model, we found that 4-1BB and 4-1BBL transcripts were both expressed in rejecting cardiac grafts. In the allogeneic MLR, 4-1BB was expressed on both activated CD4 and CD8 T cells and 4-1BB was expressed on T cells after multiple cell divisions in vivo. Functionally, 4-1BB was a potent stimulator of proliferation, cytokine secretion, and CD25 expression by CD8 T cells, but 4-1BB signals had a weak effect on the proliferation of CD4 T cells. Because 4-1BB promoted the secretion of IL-2 and the expression of CD25 on CD8 T cells, we investigated whether IL-2 was the only factor whereby 4-1BB signals induced CD8 T cell proliferation. Although IL-2 was required for optimal CD8 T cell proliferation, 4-1BB also costimulated CD8 T cell proliferation independently of IL-2. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that 4-1BB is expressed on activated, maximally divided T cells and shows that 4-1BB promotes CD8 T cell proliferation by enhancing signals through the IL-2 receptor and by other mechanisms independent of the IL-2 pathway.
Crossover operator of continuous GA with cost information

Genetic algorithm (GA) is the most famous kind of the evolutionary algorithms (EA). Similar to other EAs, it uses population to search for the global minimum on the optimal plate. It has three main operators: selection, reproduction and mutation. Fathers and mothers are selected from previous generation by the selection operator to breed the new individuals by the reproduction operator. Then, mutation operates and produces new attributes on offspring. In GA, reproduction operator is known by as the crossover operator. Many kinds of crossover operators have been introduced up to now. Almost all of them use coordinate of parents to determine the location of new individuals, but the cost information of parents has not been considered yet. By adding cost information of parents, the algorithm will be able to produce better points. Parent with low cost tell us that its district is not near to the global minimum, so offspring must be prevented from getting close to that locations. Inversely, locations of the parents who have good costs are probably nearer to the destination. Therefore, algorithms must steer offspring toward parents with suitable cost and prevent them from getting close to other parent's locations. This is what has been supposed and implemented in this paper. In this paper, a new crossover method is proposed and it is compared with other introduced crossover methods on some well-known cost functions. The results show capability of new method.
Evidence for a Functional Interaction between Integrins and G Protein-activated Inward Rectifier K+ Channels*

Heteromultimeric G protein-activated inward rectifier K+ (GIRK) channels, abundant in heart and brain, help to determine the cellular membrane potential as well as the frequency and duration of electrical impulses. The sequence arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD), located extracellularly between the first membrane-spanning region and the pore, is conserved among all identified GIRK subunits but is not found in the extracellular domain of any other cloned K+ channels. Many integrins, which, like channels, are integral membrane proteins, recognize this RGD sequence on other proteins, usually in the extracellular matrix. We therefore asked whether GIRK activity might be regulated by direct interaction with integrin. Here, we present evidence that mutation of the RGD site to RGE, particularly on the GIRK4 subunit, decreases or abolishes GIRK current. Furthermore, wild-type channels can be co-immunoprecipitated with integrin. The total cellular amount of expressed mutant GIRK channel protein is the same as the wild-type protein; however, the amount of mutant channel protein that localizes to the plasma membrane is decreased relative to wild-type, most likely accounting for the diminished GIRK current detected. GIRK channels appear to bind directly to integrin and to require this interaction for proper GIRK channel membrane localization and function.
A Model of Neurodevelopmental Risk and Protection for Preterm Infants

The purpose of this article is to introduce a model of neurodevelopmental risk and protection that may explain some of the relationships among biobehavioral risks, environmental risks, and caregiving behaviors that potentially contribute to neurobehavioral and cognitive outcomes. Infants born before 30 weeks of gestation have the poorest developmental prognosis of all infants. These infants have lengthy hospitalization periods in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU,) an environment that is not always supportive of brain development and long-term developmental needs. The model supports the premise that interventions focused on neuroprotection during the neonatal period have the potential to positively affect long-term developmental outcomes for vulnerable very preterm infants. Finding ways to better understand the complex relationships among NICU-based interventions and long-term outcomes are important to guiding caregiving practices in the NICU.
"Difficult" children as elicitors and targets of adult communication patterns: an attributional-behavioral transactional analysis.

A transactional model of adult-child interaction was proposed and tested. In determining the effects that caregivers and children have on each other, it was maintained that adult attributions act as important moderators in the interaction process. Specifically, it was predicted that adult beliefs about the causes of caregiving outcomes act as selective filters or sensitizers to child behavior--determining the nature and amount of adult reaction to different child behaviors. It was further predicted that adult attributions act in a self-fulfilling fashion, that is, the communication patterns that follow from caregiver beliefs act to elicit child behavior patterns that maintain those beliefs. In a synthetic family strategy, elementary-school-aged boys were paired with unrelated mothers (N = 96) for videotaped interactions. Children were either trained or preselected on two orthogonal dimensions: responsiveness and assertiveness. Mothers were premeasured on their self-perceived power as caregivers (S+) and the social power they attributed to children (C+). Videotapes were analyzed separately for adult facial expression and posture, voice intonation, and verbal communication. Each of these behavioral dimensions was measured on the dimensions of affect, assertion, and "maternal quality" (e.g., baby-talk). We expected low self-perceived power to sensitize the adult to variations in child responsiveness and high child-attributed power to sensitize the adult to variations in child assertiveness. Two transactional sequences were obtained (the same patterns were obtained for acted and dispositional enactments of child behavior): 1. Low S+ mothers (in comparison with high S+ mothers) were selectively reactive to child unresponsiveness. These adults reacted to unresponsive children with a communication pattern characterized by a "maternal" quality, negative affect, and positive affect that was unassertively inflected. Unresponsive children, in turn, reacted to low S+ mothers with continued unresponsiveness. 2. High C+ mothers (in contrast to low C+ mothers) were selectively reactive to child unassertiveness. These adults reacted to shy children with a "maternal," strong, and affectively positive communication style. Unassertive children, in turn, reacted to high C+ mothers with increased assertiveness. High S+ and low C+ mothers demonstrated no significant alterations in their behavior as a function of child behavior. This nonreactivity had positive consequences for child unresponsiveness (reduced) and negative consequences for child unassertiveness (maintained). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Epigenetic Repertoire of Daphnia magna Includes Modified Histones

Daphnids are fresh water microcrustaceans, many of which follow a cyclically parthenogenetic life cycle. Daphnia species have been well studied in the context of ecology, toxicology, and evolution, but their epigenetics remain largely unexamined even though sex determination, the production of sexual females and males, and distinct adult morphological phenotypes, are determined epigenetically. Here, we report on the characterization of histone modifications in Daphnia. We show that a number of histone H3 and H4 modifications are present in Daphnia embryos and histone H3 dimethylated at lysine 4 (H3K4me2) is present nonuniformly in the nucleus in a cell cycle-dependent manner. In addition, this histone modification, while present in blastula and gastrula cells as well as the somatic cells of adults, is absent or reduced in oocytes and nurse cells. Thus, the epigenetic repertoire of Daphnia includes modified histones and as these epigenetic forces act on a genetically homogeneous clonal population Daphnia offers an exceptional tool to investigate the mechanism and role of epigenetics in the life cycle and development of an ecologically important species.
CHAPTER 2: High Pressure Crystallography: Elucidating the Role of Intermolecular Interactions in Crystals of Organic and Coordination Compounds

Intermolecular interactions can be probed by varying pressure. The structures formed under selected temperature and pressure conditions, and the structural changes resulting from temperature and pressure variation, can provide clues to understanding the structure-forming role of various types of hydrogen bonds, stacking interactions, van der Waals interactions, etc. One can consider the following possible types of experiments. (1) Measuring the anisotropy of structural strain and the absolute value of compressibility. This can give valuable information on the absolute and relative strengths of various types of intermolecular interactions. Fine-tuning interactions by continuously changing intermolecular distances provides a unique possibility to quantitatively study structure–property relationships. (2) Following the structural transformations that are induced by increasing pressure. One can compare the pressure response of different polymorphs of the same compound, of chiral and racemic counterparts, of single- and multi-component crystals containing the same or related chemical species, or of selected series of compounds. The compression–decompression protocol—in particular the rate of increasing and decreasing pressure—the temperature, the choice of hydrostatic fluid, and the presence of other phases as potential seeds can influence the outcome of the transformation. (3) Crystallization of solids at high pressure. One can consider: (a) crystallization of solids originally dissolved in a liquid and (b) crystallization of compounds that are fluid at ambient pressure. (4) The effect of pressure on chemical transformations induced by temperature or light and chemical reactions induced by compression. These experiments contribute towards the understanding of the role of intermolecular interactions in solid-state reactivity.
In Search of an Adult Attachment Stress Provocation to Measure Effect on the Oxytocin System

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin is a promising biomarker for psychiatric conditions arising from early relational trauma, childhood maltreatment, and attachment dysregulation, including posttraumatic stress and dissociative disorders. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory pilot study examined plasma oxytocin as a biomarker for alterations in the attachment system. DESIGN: We used a single group, repeated-measures design with 15 women. The protocol used a film clip previously validated as a provocation to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. RESULTS: The repeated-measures ANOVA showed differences in oxytocin across the three time points. Correlations with oxytocin indicated that measures of dissociation and somatization correlated most strongly with higher levels of oxytocin measured during exposure to the film’s bonding scene and posttraumatic stress disorder correlated most strongly with lower levels at the film’s abandonment scene. Post hoc analyses revealed differences in oxytocin response related to psychopathology. CONCLUSION: Replication studies should characterize participants on a range of psychiatric conditions associated with attachment dysregulation.
Self-reported Slower Eating Is Associated with a Lower Salt Intake: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study

Objective Evidence suggests that the eating rate is positively associated with the body weight and blood pressure. Furthermore, people who are overweight or obese tend to have higher salt intakes than those of normal weight. To investigate whether or not the eating rate is also associated with the salt intake, a cross-sectional study was conducted using health examination survey data collected in 2014 from 7,941 residents of Sado City, Niigata, Japan. Methods The eating rates were evaluated using a questionnaire; 11.7% of participants rated themselves as slow eaters, 65.6% as normal eaters, and 22.7% as fast eaters. The salt intake was estimated from sodium and creatinine spot urine measurements using Tanaka's formula. Associations with eating rate were evaluated using multivariate linear regression analyses, with normal eaters as the reference (set at 0). Results Self-reported eating rates were positively associated with the salt intake after adjustment for age and sex [β coefficient (95% confidence interval) for slow -0.51 (-0.67, -0.35); fast 0.18 (0.05, 0.30)]. Further adjustment for the body mass index showed that slower eaters had lower salt intakes than normal eaters, but there was no marked difference in the salt intake between normal and fast eaters. The association between slower eating and a lower salt intake persisted after further adjustment for comorbidities [slow -0.33 (-0.49, -0.18)]. Conclusion Our results suggest that reducing eating rates may be an effective strategy for reducing dietary salt intake as well as preventing obesity.
Video stream quality impacts viewer behavior: inferring causality using quasi-experimental designs

The distribution of videos over the Internet is drastically transforming how media is consumed and monetized. Content providers, such as media outlets and video subscription services, would like to ensure that their videos do not fail, startup quickly, and play without interruptions. In return for their investment in video stream quality, content providers expect less viewer abandonment, more viewer engagement, and a greater fraction of repeat viewers, resulting in greater revenues. The key question for a content provider or a CDN is whether and to what extent changes in video quality can cause changes in viewer behavior. Our work is the first to establish a causal relationship between video quality and viewer behavior, taking a step beyond purely correlational studies. To establish causality, we use Quasi-Experimental Designs, a novel technique adapted from the medical and social sciences. We study the impact of video stream quality on viewer behavior in a scientific data-driven manner by using extensive traces from Akamai's streaming network that include 23 million views from 6.7 million unique viewers. We show that viewers start to abandon a video if it takes more than 2 seconds to start up, with each incremental delay of 1 second resulting in a 5.8%increase in the abandonment rate. Further, we show that a moderate amount of interruptions can decrease the average play time of a viewer by a significant amount. A viewer who experiences a rebuffer delay equal to 1% of the video duration plays 5% less of the video in comparison to a similar viewer who experienced no rebuffering. Finally, we show that a viewer who experienced failure is 2.32% less likely to revisit the same site within a week than a similar viewer who did not experience a failure.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction in Elderly Patients with Renal Dysfunction: Results from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on short- and long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in elderly (>75 yr old) acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with renal dysfunction. As part of Korea AMI Registry (KAMIR), elderly patients with AMI and renal dysfunction (GFR<60 mL/min) received either medical (n=439) or PCI (n=1,019) therapy. Primary end point was in-hospital death. Secondary end point was MACE during a 1 month and 1 yr follow-up. PCI group showed a significantly lower incidence of in-hospital death (20.0% vs 14.3%, P=0.006). Short-term and long-term MACE rates were higher in medical therapy group (31.9% vs 19.0%; 57.7% vs 31.3%, P<0.001), and this difference was mainly attributed to cardiac death (29.3% vs 17.6%; 51.9% vs 25.0%, P<0.001). MACE-free survival time after adjustment was also higher in PCI group on short-term (hazard ratio, 0.67; confidence interval, 0.45-0.98; P=0.037) and long-term follow-up (hazard ratio, 0.61, confidence interval, 0.45-0.83; P=0.002). In elderly AMI patients with renal dysfunction, PCI therapy yields favorable in-hospital and short-term and long-term MACE-free survival.
CSbots: design and deployment of a robot designed for the CS1 classroom

We present CSbots, an ongoing program to use robots as educational tools in the Introduction to Computer Science CS1) course. We aim to use robotics to improve learning and retention by altering course work so that it is more relevant to students. In our development process we use an iterative cycle composed of design, pilot, and evaluation steps. We have completed the first of these cycles, the alpha cycle, and describe the robot hardware, software, and curriculum development processes as well as key evaluation results from pilots conducted at two community colleges in Fall 2007. We discuss the implications of these results and our experiences on the in-progress beta design cycle and planned pilots.
Preparation of Zinc Layered Hydroxides-cinnamaldehydeNanocomposites and its Physico-Chemical Study

Cinnamaldehyde (CINN) is an organic guest anion, the main constituent of cinnamon oil was intercalated into zinclayered hydroxides (ZLHs) by ion exchange method. CINN has been reported can killed mosquito larvae. The powder X-Ray diffraction (PXRD) indicates a successful intercalation of CINN into the interlayer galleries of ZLHs matrix when 1.0 g of ZnO with 0.08M of CINN was used forming zinc layered hydroxides-cinnamaldehyde (ZCINN) exhibiting basal spacing expansion, 21.2A. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results supported and confirmed the intercalation of CINN as both ZnO and CINN functional groups appeared in ZCINN spectrum. The thermal stability property of the ZCINN was enhanced as compared to the anion, CINN. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) image of ZnO showed a nonuniform granular-like structure transforming into flaky structure with various sizes after intercalation of CINN took place. These results indicate that it is possible to design and develop the nanocomposites containing larvicide for further investigations.