Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Algorithmic information and plane Kakeya sets

We formulate the conditional Kolmogorov complexity of x given y at precision r, where x and y are points in Euclidean spaces and r is a natural number. We demonstrate the utility of this notion in two 1. We prove a point-to-set principle that enables one to use the (relativized, constructive) dimension of a single point in a set E in a Euclidean space to establish a lower bound on the (classical) Hausdorff dimension of E. We then use this principle, together with conditional Kolmogorov complexity in Euclidean spaces, to give a new proof of the known, two-dimensional case of the Kakeya conjecture. This theorem of geometric measure theory, proved by Davies in 1971, says that every plane set containing a unit line segment in every direction has Hausdorff dimension 2. 2. We use conditional Kolmogorov complexity in Euclidean spaces to develop the lower and upper conditional dimensions dim(x|y) and Dim(x|y) of x given y, where x and y are points in Euclidean spaces. Intuitively these are the lower and upper asymptotic algorithmic information densities of x conditioned on the information in y. We prove that these conditional dimensions are robust and that they have the correct information-theoretic relationships with the well studied dimensions dim(x) and Dim(x) and mutual dimensions mdim(x:y) and Mdim(x:y).
FLeSMA: a firewall level spam mitigation approach through a genetic classifier model

Spamming is a serious issue for the Internet community. As well as incurring financial losses to many organisations, spamming causes mental frustration, and the spam content (much of which includes indecent material) causes embarrassment and presents moral issues. Many techniques and solutions have been presented over the past few years, but most of them cannot effectively deter the spamming issue totally. The major reason for the failure of these solutions is that spammers use the very protocols used for email transmission and forwarding to flood the network. One reason for the failure of new solutions is the high drop rate of legitimate emails by the receiver entity. Various solutions have been tried to deter spamming, but in vain. Although in theoretical tests these techniques provide an effective defence against the email message flood, the practical implementation of 100% spam protection is still far from reality. We describe a technical solution to prevent end users from receiving spam messages. Although our approach is simple and intuitive, it provides significant resistance against spam attack generation. Rather than countering the spamming at the receiver side,our solution counters the spamming attack at the point of origination, making it a more deterrent solution against spam based attacks.
Segmentation of organs at risk in CT volumes of head, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis

Accurate segmentation of organs at risk (OARs) is a key step in treatment planning system (TPS) of image guided radiation therapy. We are developing three classes of methods to segment 17 organs at risk throughout the whole body, including brain, brain stem, eyes, mandible, temporomandibular joints, parotid glands, spinal cord, lungs, trachea, heart, livers, kidneys, spleen, prostate, rectum, femoral heads, and skin. The three classes of segmentation methods include (1) threshold-based methods for organs of large contrast with adjacent structures such as lungs, trachea, and skin; (2) context-driven Generalized Hough Transform-based methods combined with graph cut algorithm for robust localization and segmentation of liver, kidneys and spleen; and (3) atlas and registration-based methods for segmentation of heart and all organs in CT volumes of head and pelvis. The segmentation accuracy for the seventeen organs was subjectively evaluated by two medical experts in three levels of score: 0, poor (unusable in clinical practice); 1, acceptable (minor revision needed); and 2, good (nearly no revision needed). A database was collected from Ruijin Hospital, Huashan Hospital, and Xuhui Central Hospital in Shanghai, China, including 127 head scans, 203 thoracic scans, 154 abdominal scans, and 73 pelvic scans. The percentages of “good” segmentation results were 97.6%, 92.9%, 81.1%, 87.4%, 85.0%, 78.7%, 94.1%, 91.1%, 81.3%, 86.7%, 82.5%, 86.4%, 79.9%, 72.6%, 68.5%, 93.2%, 96.9% for brain, brain stem, eyes, mandible, temporomandibular joints, parotid glands, spinal cord, lungs, trachea, heart, livers, kidneys, spleen, prostate, rectum, femoral heads, and skin, respectively. Various organs at risk can be reliably segmented from CT scans by use of the three classes of segmentation methods.
Problem solving patterns in design science research - Learning from engineering

Within information systems the design science research (DSR) paradigm aims at the development of useful artifacts, e.g. models or methods, with which relevant IS problems can be solved. In analogy to the engineering discipline construction processes have been proposed for DSR. Although different phases of such construction processes are explicated in several articles, contributions are missing that propose patterns/principles that support the constructor during the different phases of the construction process. Vaishnavi and Kuechler (2007) address this issue by proposing DSR patterns. Their contribution is a substantial one; however, it does not include comparable pattern approaches from the engineering discipline for the foundation of the proposed patterns. Bearing in mind that DSR has its roots in engineering, it is important to analyze so called problem solving patterns from engineering and to compare them to the DSR patterns. Using this as a basis, it is our research goal to examine whether it is possible to expand the existing DSR patterns to include patterns from engineering. As a result, 14 additional DSR patterns are proposed which originate from engineering, have not been discussed so far, but promise to be useful for DSR in information systems
The World Bank Pension Conceptual Framework

This briefing is part of the World Bank’s Pension Reform Primer: a comprehensive, up-to-date resource for people designing and implementing pension reforms around the world. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. For more information, please contact the Social Protection Advisory Service, The World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW, MSN G7-703, Washington, DC 20433, USA, Telephone: (202) 458-5267, Fax: (202) 614-0471, E-mail: socialprotection@worldbank.org. All Pension Reform Primer material is available on the internet at www.worldbank.org/pensions. The World Bank Pension Conceptual Framework
Hardware implementation of stochastic-based Neural Networks

In this work we review the basic principles of stochastic logic and its application to the hardware implementation of Neural Networks. In this paper we show the mathematical basis of stochastic-based neurons along with the specific circuits that are needed to implement the processing of each neuron. We also propose a new methodology to reproduce the non-linear activation function. The proposed methodology can be used to implement any kind of Neural Network
International standards for fetal growth: relevance of advances in ultrasound technology

We read with interest the article by Papageorghiou et al.1 and acknowledge the extraordinary work of the authors, who applied a robust and prospective methodology to produce international fetal growth standards to be used universally. Their data demonstrate that, under optimal conditions, fetuses from different ethnicities and geographical regions present similar growth patterns, undermining the obstetric trend for customizing growth according to maternal ethnicity2. In order to assess the impact of these charts in clinical practice, we compared them to the former population-based growth charts recommended previously in the UK3, observing that, contrary to what we had expected in mothers with optimal health, the femur lengths (FL) according to the charts of Papageorghiou et al. were systematically smaller across all gestational ages and FL percentiles (Figure 1). Prompted by this apparent paradox, we evaluated the possibility that this difference was caused by changes to ultrasound beam properties that occurred during the time interval between introduction of the two charts. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the stored data of 45 533 fetuses at 14–41 + 6 weeks’ gestation; 16 502 were examined in 1995–2000 and 29 031 in 2010–2013. Using quantile regression, FL percentiles were calculated for the two time groups and compared according to gestational age. Finally, the estimated difference between the groups was obtained and plotted in a continuous percentile spectrum.
Tracking cashew economically important diseases in the West African region using metagenomics

During the last decades, agricultural land-uses in West Africa were marked by dramatic shifts in the coverage of individual crops. Nowadays, cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is one of the most export-oriented horticulture crops, notably in Guinea-Bissau. Relying heavily on agriculture to increase their income, developing countries have been following a strong trend of moving on from traditional farming systems toward commercial production. Emerging infectious diseases, driven either by adaptation to local conditions or inadvertent importation of plant pathogens, are able to cause tremendous cashew production losses, with economic and social impact of which, in developing countries is often underestimated. Presently, plant genomics with metagenomics as an emergent tool, presents an enormous potential to better characterize diseases by providing extensive knowledge on plant pathogens at a large scale. In this perspective, we address metagenomics as a promising genomic tool to identify cashew fungal associated diseases as well as to discriminate the causal pathogens, aiming at obtaining tools to help design effective strategies for disease control and thus promote the sustainable production of cashew in West African Region.
The Beneficial Effects of Insulin and Metformin on In Vitro Developmental Potential of Porcine Oocytes and Embryos

Abstract To investigate whether insulin and/or metformin improve the developmental competence of porcine oocytes and embryos, insulin (100 ng/ml) and/or metformin (10−5 M) were supplemented during in vitro maturation (IVM) and/or in vitro culture (IVC) periods. Insulin (33 to 34% vs. 21%) or insulin plus metformin (27 to 39% vs. 21%) significantly (P < 0.01) increased the rates of blastocyst formation, whereas metformin alone had no effect when added during the first half (0–22 h), the latter half (22–44 h), or the entire (0–44 h) maturation period. No additional effect of insulin plus metformin on increasing blastocyst formation was observed compared to insulin alone. When supplemented during IVC, insulin (34% vs. 23%) or insulin plus metformin (35% vs. 23%) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the rates of blastocyst formation, whereas metformin alone had no effect. Compared to insulin alone, no additional effect of insulin plus metformin on increasing blastocyst formation was observed. When added during the entire IVM and IVC, insulin (40% vs. 24%) or insulin plus metformin (52% vs. 21%) significantly increased the rates of blastocyst formation, whereas metformin alone had no effect. In addition, the effect of insulin was enhanced when supplemented with metformin compared to insulin alone (52% vs. 40%). After IVM, oocyte glutathione (GSH) content and tyrosine kinase activity were measured. Insulin significantly (P < 0.01) increased oocyte GSH content (6.2 pmol vs. 4.3 pmol) and metformin significantly (P < 0.01) enhanced the action of insulin on GSH content (7.3 pmol vs. 6.2 pmol) and tyrosine kinase activity (1.9 arbitrary units [AU] vs. 1.5 AU) when compared to insulin alone. In conclusion, insulin increased the developmental potential of porcine oocytes and embryos, and metformin enhanced the action of insulin when supplemented during the entire IVM and IVC. The effects of insulin and metformin were associated with oocyte GSH content and tyrosine kinase activity.
Extending and Validating the Business Rules Diagram Method

This paper describes an action research study whose focus was assisting in the selection of a commercial "off the shelf" (COTS) software system. During the study the semantic gap between different representations of the problem domain was recognised as a potential issue which might affect the effectiveness of the process thus an intellectual framework based on a particular set of ontological ideas was used to guide the study. Two notable issues that arose from the study were how to implement feedback mechanisms into the process and how to manage the complexity of a real-world problem domain by using abstraction without losing important details.
A novel envelope simulation technique for high-frequency nonlinear circuits

The paper proposes a new approach for the analysis and simulation of circuits subject to input signals with widely separated rates of variation. Such signals arise in communication circuits when an RF carrier is modulated by a low-frequency information signal. The approach will involve converting the ordinary differential equation system that describes the circuit to a partial differential equation system and subsequently solving the resultant system using a multiresolution collocation approach involving a cubic spline wavelet-based decomposition.
Impact of Onsite or Dispatched Automated External Defibrillator Use on Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background— There have been few studies on the effectiveness of bystander automated external defibrillator (AED) use in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The objective of this study was to determine whether actual use of onsite or dispatched AED reduces the time to first shock compared with no AED use and thereby improves survival. Methods and Results— We performed a population-based cohort study of 2833 consecutive patients with a nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest before emergency medical system arrival between 2006 and 2009. The primary outcome, neurologically intact survival to discharge, was compared by use of multivariable logistic regression analysis. An onsite AED had been applied in 128 of the 2833 cases, a dispatched AED in 478, and no AED in 2227. Onsite AED use reduced the time to first shock from 11 to 4.1 minute. Neurologically intact survival was 49.6% for patients treated with an onsite AED compared with 14.3% without an AED (unadjusted odds ratio, 5.63; 95% confidence interval, 3.91–8.10). The odds ratio remained statistically significant after adjustment for confounding (odds ratio, 2.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.77–4.18). Dispatched AED use reduced the time from call to first shock to 8.5 minutes. Neurologically intact survival was 17.2% for patients treated with a dispatched AED (unadjusted odds ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–1.39). Every year, onsite AEDs saved 3.6 lives per 1 million inhabitants; dispatched AEDs saved 1.2 lives. Conclusions— The use of an onsite AED leads to a doubling of neurologically intact survival. In our system, the survival benefit of dispatched AED use was much smaller than that of onsite AED use.
The Yeast ULP2 (SMT4) Gene Encodes a Novel Protease Specific for the Ubiquitin-Like Smt3 Protein

ABSTRACT Yeast Smt3 and its vertebrate homolog SUMO-1 are ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) that are reversibly ligated to other proteins. LikeSMT3, SMT4 was first isolated as a high-copy-number suppressor of a defective centromere-binding protein. We show here that SMT4 encodes an Smt3-deconjugating enzyme, Ulp2. In cells lacking Ulp2, specific Smt3-protein conjugates accumulate, and the conjugate pattern is distinct from that observed in a ulp1ts strain, which is defective for a distantly related Smt3-specific protease, Ulp1. The ulp2Δ mutant exhibits a pleiotropic phenotype that includes temperature-sensitive growth, abnormal cell morphology, decreased plasmid and chromosome stability, and a severe sporulation defect. The mutant is also hypersensitive to DNA-damaging agents, hydroxyurea, and benomyl. Although cell cycle checkpoint arrest in response to DNA damage, replication inhibition, or spindle defects occurs with normal kinetics, recovery from arrest is impaired. Surprisingly, either introduction of aulp1ts mutation or overproduction of catalytically inactive Ulp1 can substantially overcome theulp2Δ defects. Inactivation of Ulp2 also suppresses several ulp1ts defects, and the double mutant accumulates far fewer Smt3-protein conjugates than either single mutant. Our data suggest the existence of a feedback mechanism that limits Smt3-protein ligation when Smt3 deconjugation by both Ulp1 and Ulp2 is compromised, allowing a partial recovery of cell function.
Cold truths: how winter drives responses of terrestrial organisms to climate change

Winter is a key driver of individual performance, community composition, and ecological interactions in terrestrial habitats. Although climate change research tends to focus on performance in the growing season, climate change is also modifying winter conditions rapidly. Changes to winter temperatures, the variability of winter conditions, and winter snow cover can interact to induce cold injury, alter energy and water balance, advance or retard phenology, and modify community interactions. Species vary in their susceptibility to these winter drivers, hampering efforts to predict biological responses to climate change. Existing frameworks for predicting the impacts of climate change do not incorporate the complexity of organismal responses to winter. Here, we synthesise organismal responses to winter climate change, and use this synthesis to build a framework to predict exposure and sensitivity to negative impacts. This framework can be used to estimate the vulnerability of species to winter climate change. We describe the importance of relationships between winter conditions and performance during the growing season in determining fitness, and demonstrate how summer and winter processes are linked. Incorporating winter into current models will require concerted effort from theoreticians and empiricists, and the expansion of current growing‐season studies to incorporate winter.
Palmprint Recognitionvia Bandlet, Ridgelet, Wavelet and Neural Network

Palmprint recognition has emerged as a valid biometric based personal identification tool. Palmprints with high resolution features such minutia points, ridges and singular points or low resolution features such as wrinkles and principals determine their applications. In this paper a 700nm spectral band PolyU hyperspectral palmprint database is utilized and the multiscale band let image transform is utilized in features extraction; moreover, its results are compared with the ridgelet and 2D discrete wavelet results. The size of features is reduced using principle component analysis and linear discriminate analysis; in addition, a feed forward back-propagation neural network is used as a classifier. The results show that the recognition rate accuracy of the band let transform outperforms others.
Near-optimal sensor placements: maximizing information while minimizing communication cost

When monitoring spatial phenomena with wireless sensor networks, selecting the best sensor placements is a fundamental task. Not only should the sensors be informative, but they should also be able to communicate efficiently. In this paper, we present a data-driven approach that addresses the three central aspects of this problem: measuring the predictive quality of a set of sensor locations (regardless of whether sensors were ever placed at these locations), predicting the communication cost involved with these placements, and designing an algorithm with provable quality guarantees that optimizes the NP-hard tradeoff. Specifically, we use data from a pilot deployment to build non-parametric probabilistic models called Gaussian Processes (GPs) both for the spatial phenomena of interest and for the spatial variability of link qualities, which allows us to estimate predictive power and communication cost of un-sensed locations. Surprisingly, uncertainty in the representation of link qualities plays an important role in estimating communication costs. Using these models, we present a novel, polynomial-time, data-driven algorithm, pSPIEL, which selects Sensor Placements at Informative and cost-Effective Locations. Our approach exploits two important properties of this problem: submodularity, formalizing the intuition that adding a node to a small deployment can help more than adding a node to a large deployment; and locality, under which nodes that are far from each other provide almost independent information. Exploiting these properties, we prove strong approximation guarantees for our pSPlEL approach. We also provide extensive experimental validation of this practical approach on several real-world placement problems, and built a complete system implementation on 46 Tmote Sky motes, demonstrating significant advantages over existing methods
Flagellated Magnetotactic Bacteria as Controlled MRI-trackable Propulsion and Steering Systems for Medical Nanorobots Operating in the Human Microvasculature

Although nanorobots may play critical roles for many applications in the human body, such as targeting tumoral lesions for therapeutic purposes, miniaturization of the power source with an effective onboard controllable propulsion and steering system have prevented the implementation of such mobile robots. Here, we show that the flagellated nanomotors combined with the nanometer-sized magnetosomes of a single magnetotactic bacterium can be used as an effective integrated propulsion and steering system for devices, such as nanorobots, designed for targeting locations only accessible through the smallest capillaries in humans while being visible for tracking and monitoring purposes using modern medical imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging. Through directional and magnetic field intensities, the displacement speeds, directions, and behaviors of swarms of these bacterial actuators can be controlled from an external computer.
Timing of Peak Blood Glucose after Breakfast Meals of Different Glycemic Index in Women with Gestational Diabetes

This study aims to determine the peak timing of postprandial blood glucose level (PBGL) of two breakfasts with different glycemic index (GI) in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Ten women with diet-controlled GDM who were between 30 and 32 weeks of gestation were enrolled in the study. They consumed two carbohydrate controlled, macronutrient matched bread-based breakfasts with different GI (low vs. high) on two separate occasions in a random order after an overnight fast. PBGLs were assessed using a portable blood analyser. Subjects were asked to indicate their satiety rating at each blood sample collection. Overall the consumption of a high GI breakfast resulted in a greater rise in PBGL (mean ± SEM peak PBGL: low GI 6.7 ± 0.3 mmol/L vs. high GI 8.6 ± 0.3 mmol/L; p < 0.001) and an earlier peak PBGL time (16.9 ± 4.9 min earlier; p = 0.015), with high variability in PBGL time between subjects. There was no significant difference in subjective satiety throughout the test period. In conclusion, the low GI breakfast produced lower postprandial glycemia, and the peak PBGL occurred closer to the time recommended for PBGL monitoring (i.e., 1 h postprandial) in GDM than a macronutrient matched high GI breakfast.