Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comments on "Low Diameter Interconnections for Routing in High-Performance Parallel Systems, " with Connections and Extensions to Arc Coloring of Coset Graphs

"For original paper see R. Melhem, ibid., vol.56, p.502-10, (2007)". Recently, Melhem presented a "new" class of low-diameter interconnection (LDI) networks, (IEEE Trans. computers, Vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 502-510). We note that LDI networks are the same as the previously known generalized de Bruijn graphs, point out an error in the decomposition of LDI networks into permutations, and find that the correct decomposition scheme is an instance of arc coloring for coset graphs. Hence, we pursue a number of general results on arc coloring of coset graphs that can be applied to this particular decomposition problem as well as within many other contexts, including complete arc coloring and normality of coset graphs.
Third-Person Effect, Optimistic Bias, and Sufficiency Resource in Internet Use

This study examined the third-person effect and the optimistic bias in Internet communication and to what degree sufficiency resource affected the third-person effect and the optimistic bias. Findings demonstrated the third-person effect and the optimistic bias prevalent in traditional media use were also apparent in Internet communication but vary in their relationships with sufficiency resources and other predicting factors. There was a positive relationship between the third-person effect and the optimistic bias involving others. Two indicators of sufficiency resource, computer skill and computer knowledge, and perceived protection ability were significant predictors of the optimistic bias but not that of the third-person effect. Activeness in Internet use was positively predicted by computer knowledge and perceived benefit.
DSP-Based Implementation and Optimization of an Iris Verification Algorithm Using Textural Feature

In this paper, iris verification algorithm using textural feature and its implementation and optimization on Digital Signal Processor (DSP) are presented. An innovative method is proposed to extract the iris textural feature. The method evaluates on iris images taken from the CASIA iris image database version 1.0 [1]. Experimental results show that the proposed method has achieved high accuracy of 98.62%. For the DSP implementation, the algorithm is mapped into DSP without compromising performance. Optimization is done by source code tuning, loop optimization using pragmas and optimizing conditional code. Experimental results demonstrate that the iris verification system is capable to complete verification in less than one second. The DSP based iris verification system provides a low power and fast authentication solution within a compact device.
Linking Changes in Epithelial Morphogenesis to Cancer Mutations Using Computational Modeling

Most tumors arise from epithelial tissues, such as mammary glands and lobules, and their initiation is associated with the disruption of a finely defined epithelial architecture. Progression from intraductal to invasive tumors is related to genetic mutations that occur at a subcellular level but manifest themselves as functional and morphological changes at the cellular and tissue scales, respectively. Elevated proliferation and loss of epithelial polarization are the two most noticeable changes in cell phenotypes during this process. As a result, many three-dimensional cultures of tumorigenic clones show highly aberrant morphologies when compared to regular epithelial monolayers enclosing the hollow lumen (acini). In order to shed light on phenotypic changes associated with tumor cells, we applied the bio-mechanical IBCell model of normal epithelial morphogenesis quantitatively matched to data acquired from the non-tumorigenic human mammary cell line, MCF10A. We then used a high-throughput simulation study to reveal how modifications in model parameters influence changes in the simulated architecture. Three parameters have been considered in our study, which define cell sensitivity to proliferative, apoptotic and cell-ECM adhesive cues. By mapping experimental morphologies of four MCF10A-derived cell lines carrying different oncogenic mutations onto the model parameter space, we identified changes in cellular processes potentially underlying structural modifications of these mutants. As a case study, we focused on MCF10A cells expressing an oncogenic mutant HER2-YVMA to quantitatively assess changes in cell doubling time, cell apoptotic rate, and cell sensitivity to ECM accumulation when compared to the parental non-tumorigenic cell line. By mapping in vitro mutant morphologies onto in silico ones we have generated a means of linking the morphological and molecular scales via computational modeling. Thus, IBCell in combination with 3D acini cultures can form a computational/experimental platform for suggesting the relationship between the histopathology of neoplastic lesions and their underlying molecular defects.
In vivo fluorescence of the ocular fundus exhibits retinal pigment epithelium lipofuscin characteristics.

PURPOSE To characterize the intrinsic fluorescence (autofluorescence) of the human ocular fundus with regard to its excitation and emission spectra, age relationship, retinal location, and topography, and to identify the dominant fluorophore among the fundus layers. METHODS Using a novel fundus spectrophotometer, fluorescence measurements were made at 7 degrees temporal to the fovea and at the fovea in 30 normal subjects and in 3 selected patients. Topographic measurements were made in 3 subjects. Ex vivo measurements of fluorescence of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were obtained and compared to in vivo data. RESULTS Fundus fluorescence reveals a broad band of emission between 500 and 750 nm, a maximum of approximately 630 nm, and optimal excitation of approximately 510 nm. Exhibiting a significant increase with age, this fluorescence is highest at 7 degrees to 15 degrees from the fovea, shows a well-defined foveal minimum, and decreases toward the periphery. In vivo fluorescence spectra are consistent with those obtained ex vivo on human RPE. Measurements with short wavelength excitation are strongly influenced by ocular media absorption and reveal an additional minor fluorophore in the fovea. CONCLUSIONS Spectral characteristics, correlation with age, topographic distribution, and retinal location between the choriocapillaris and the photoreceptors suggest that the dominant fundus fluorophore is RPE lipofuscin. The minor fluorophore is probably in the neurosensory retina but has not been identified.
Modeling and Rendering Architecture from Photographs : A hybrid geometry-and image-based approach ( An Implementation Project )

This paper seeks to document the steps I underwent in implementing the 1996 SIGGRAPH paper titled “Modeling and Rendering Architecture from Photographs: A hybrid geometryand image-based approach” (Debevec et al.). This paper outlines the implementations of two of the more significant and involved steps in the original paper, “Photogrammetric Modelling” (based on Parametric Primitives), as well as “ViewDependent Texture Mapping”. The paper shows the implementation of the Graphical User Interface built with the purpose of constructing simplified geometric scenes from a small number of photos of architecture, covers an implmentation of the traditional Structure from Motion problem as a comparison heuristic, and finally demonstrates the visual results from the view-dependent texture mappings. Interactive videos of the final results are included in the paper.
A multi-step interior point warm-start approach for large-scale stochastic linear programming ∗

Interior point methods (IPM) have been recognised as an efficient approach for the solution of large scale stochastic programming problems due to their ability of exploiting the block-angular structure of the augmented system particular to this problem class. Stochastic programming problems, however, have exploitable structure beyond the simple matrix shape: namely the scenarios are typically a discrete sampling of an underlying (continuous) probability distribution. An appealing way of exploiting this would be to initially use a coarser discretisation, i.e. less scenarios, to obtain an approximate solution, which could then be used to warm-start the solver on the full problem. In this paper we present a multi-step warm-start scheme for stochastic programming problems, where a sequence of problems defined over scenario trees of differing sizes is given and an IPM warm-start point is constructed by successively finding approximations to the central path of the problems defined over the given trees. We analyse the resulting algorithm, argue that it yields improved complexity over either the coldstart or a naive two-step scheme, and give numerical results.
At the Crossroads between Urban Planning and Urban Design: Critical Lessons from Three Italian Case Studies

Planning experiences in Milan, Rome and Bologna are presented as critical laboratories for discussing new directions in research at the crossroads between urban planning and urban design. Drawing on these cases, it is suggested that issues tied to physical design are crucial in managing contemporary planning processes. The medium- and long-term strategy of a city can become effective through the design of a structural and spatial vision that takes into account morphological aspects and coherently prioritizes a set of development projects. Planning codes and urban policy tools can be improved through the preliminary control of typological and morphological requirements. In this sense, typical urban design themes and problems require further attention in both theoretical debates as well as in planning practice.
Impaired exercise performance after successful liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND Recipients of heart, lung, and kidney transplants have impaired peak exercise performance (peak Vo2 40% to 60% predicted, reduced anaerobic threshold [AT]) without evidence of ventilatory or cardiac limitations. The aim of this study was to determine whether similar exercise impairment occurs in liver transplant recipients. METHODS We studied eight healthy liver transplant recipients (age 42+/-9 [SD] years, 6 male, 31+/-13 months posttransplant). Immunosuppression included FK506 or cyclosporine, azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. Subjects underwent lung function testing and cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycle ergometer. RESULTS Peak exercise oxygen consumption (Vo2) was 22+/-8 ml/min/kg (66+/-20% predicted maximum). No subject demonstrated exercise desaturation or ventilatory limitation (peak minute ventilation 55+/-8% predicted maximum voluntary ventilation). Peak heart rate was 87+/-8% of predicted maximum. Early AT was evident (1.2+/-0.34 L/min, 48+/-11% predicted Vo2max). CONCLUSIONS Liver transplant recipients exhibit impaired peak exercise performance similar to that observed after other solid organ transplants, possibly as a result of chronic deconditioning or myopathy related to immunosuppressive medications.
A 10-year prospective clinical and radiographic study of one-stage dental implants.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate one-stage dental implants clinically and radiographically after 10 years in function. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-five patients with a total of 68 implants [46 hollow screws (HS) and 22 hollow cylinders (HC)] who previously participated in 5-year prospective clinical study returned for a 10-year follow-up. For each patient, informed consent was obtained, medical and dental history was reviewed and soft and hard tissue conditions were evaluated using the modified plaque index, modified sulcus bleeding index, probing depth, suppuration, attachment level, distance from the implant crown margin to the coronal border of the peri-implant mucosa keratinized mucosa and periapical radiographs to calculate crestal bone-level changes. RESULTS As expected, the mean crestal bone-level changes were the greatest in the first year following restoration placement, while only minimal changes were noticed in the subsequent years. HC implants showed a statistically significant higher mean crestal bone loss when compared with HS implants at year 10. Gender was also statistically significantly related to the mean crestal bone loss at years 1, 3, 5 and 10, with male subjects exhibiting more bone loss than female subjects. However, age and peri-implant soft tissue parameters showed low levels of correlation with the mean crestal bone-level changes, and proved to be weak predictors for the mean crestal bone loss at years 5 and 10. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that the mean crestal bone loss rates of the HS and HC implants are well within the clinically acceptable parameters. In addition, some of the clinical parameters could be used to assess and predict future crestal bone loss.
Transobturator sling for post-prostatectomy incontinence: radiation's effect on efficacy/satisfaction.

INTRODUCTION We review our experience with the AdVance sling in patients with post- prostatectomy incontinence, comparing the role that adjuvant radiation therapy plays in sling success and patient satisfaction at short and long term follow ups. MATERIALS AND METHODS Men who underwent AdVance sling placement for post-prostatectomy incontinence from 2007 to present were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Manual chart review was performed. Level of incontinence was assessed using Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) and pads per day (PPD) use. Satisfaction was assessed by willingness to recommend the procedure to a friend. Outcomes in men who received radiation were compared to radiation-naïve men. RESULTS Fifty-two men underwent AdVance sling placement. Eighteen men received adjuvant radiation. Thirty-six men were available for short term (19.4 months) and 16 men for long term (61.5 months) follow up. Overall, significant improvement was seen in post-sling EPIC score (24.6, p < 0.001), EPIC incontinence score (39.1, p < .001), and pad use (3.2 PPD to 1.4 PPD, p < .001). Greater improvement in EPIC scores and PPD use was seen in radiation-free men. Irradiated men were less satisfied with the procedure at both short and long term follow up. Diminished efficacy and satisfaction occurred at extended follow up for both groups but was more pronounced with radiation. CONCLUSIONS The majority of patients undergoing the AdVance sling procedure for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence saw a significant reduction in pad use, and were overall satisfied in both radiated and non-radiated groups at short and long term follow up. However, improvements were greater in the non-radiated groups and diminished with time.
Genome-wide DNA methylomes from discrete developmental stages reveal the predominance of non-CpG methylation in Tribolium castaneum

Abstract Cytosine DNA methylation is a vital epigenetic regulator of eukaryotic development. Whether this epigenetic modification occurs in Tribolium castaneum has been controversial, its distribution pattern and functions have not been established. Here, using bisulphite sequencing (BS-Seq), we confirmed the existence of DNA methylation and described the methylation profiles of the four life stages of T. castaneum. In the T. castaneum genome, both symmetrical CpG and non-CpG methylcytosines were observed. Symmetrical CpG methylation, which was catalysed by DNMT1 and occupied a small part in T. castaneum methylome, was primarily enriched in gene bodies and was positively correlated with gene expression levels. Asymmetrical non-CpG methylation, which was predominant in the methylome, was strongly concentrated in intergenic regions and introns but absent from exons. Gene body methylation was negatively correlated with gene expression levels. The distribution pattern and functions of this type of methylation were similar only to the methylome of Drosophila melanogaster, which further supports the existence of a novel methyltransferase in the two species responsible for this type of methylation. This first life-cycle methylome of T. castaneum reveals a novel and unique methylation pattern, which will contribute to the further understanding of the variety and functions of DNA methylation in eukaryotes.
Multichannel magnetic stimulation system design considering mutual couplings among the stimulation coils

We introduce some simulation and experiment results of the multichannel magnetic stimulator development that has been carried out as an initial attempt to realize a multichannel functional magnetic stimulator. For efficient functional magnetic stimulations, precise spatial localization of stimulation sites without any movements of the stimulation coils is very important. We have found that the mutual coupling effect among the adjacent stimulation coils in the coil array has to be considered in the determination of the charge voltages in some coil array configurations. Experimental results obtained with a 4-channel magnetic stimulator are presented.
Magnetic films on nanoperforated templates: a route towards percolated perpendicular media

We present a study on the magnetization reversal in Co/Pt multilayer films with an out-of-plane easy axis of magnetization deposited onto substrates with densely distributed perforations with an average period as small as 34 nm. Deposition of magnetic Co/Pt multilayers onto the nanoperforated surface results in an array of magnetic nanodots surrounded by a continuous magnetic film. Following the evolution of the magnetic domain pattern in the system, we suggest that domain walls are pinned on structural inhomogeneities given by the underlying nanoperforated template. Furthermore, a series of micromagnetic simulations was performed in order to understand the modification of the pinning strength of domain walls due to the magnetic interaction between nanodots and the surrounding film. The results of the simulations show that magnetic exchange coupling between the nanodots and the surrounding film strongly influences the pinning behavior of the magnetic domain walls which can be optimized to provide maximal pinning.
Morphologisation or reduction by context? The –te ending on adjectives and preterite verb forms in Standard Copenhagen Danish

The article investigates the factors that underlie schwa elision in –te, [d̥], endings in Standard Copenhagen Danish adjectives and preterite verb forms. The study shows that preterite [d̥] is much more likely to undergo schwa elision to [d̥] than adjectival [d̥]. The data are analysed by use of regression analysis which shows that also a following sound or pause, word form frequency and social class are factors that contribute significantly to the reduction pattern of the variable (te). The study cannot find any effects of clitizisation or n-gram based contextual predictability, factors that are often mentioned in the literature as causing phonetic reduction. The article discusses whether preterite verb forms can be said to be more grammatical than adjectives, or whether the high frequency schwa elided variant of verbal te is a sign of morphologisation, an allomorph, –t, of the preterite morpheme.
Uveitic macular edema: a stepladder treatment paradigm

The purpose of this review is to evaluate the treatment modalities that are commonly employed for the treatment of uveitis-related macular edema. Herein, the different drug classes used to treat the condition are described. In addition, the effectiveness, benefits and risks of the different routes of drug administration are discussed. Although some treatments have been evaluated in prospective clinical trials, most clinical research has been retrospective in nature. Thus, there is a need for more prospective controlled trials in order to determine which treatment, if any, is superior. A well-defined and nationally accepted treatment approach is needed in order to more effectively manage uveitic macular edema.
Using Dialogic Reading as Professional Development to Improve Students’ English and Spanish Vocabulary

Professional development was conducted to assess the effects of dialogic reading (DR) on child outcomes related to vocabulary development in English and Spanish. Six teachers and 72 children enrolled in a state-funded public universal prekindergarten program, partnering with higher education, participated in the study. The content of the professional development consisted of research-based DR strategies and vocabulary for English-only, bilingual, and Spanish-dominant speakers. The format included in-service training workshops, consultations, and reflections within community of practice meetings. The results showed that the intervention led to an increase in vocabulary over time within and across language groups. Regardless of teacher experience and educational training, vocabulary for all prekindergarten children improved. Suggestions are offered for replicating DR techniques in early care and development settings. Findings add to the importance of providing instruction in vocabulary for low socioeconomic.
Aesthetic Responses to Exact Fractals Driven by Physical Complexity

Fractals are physically complex due to their repetition of patterns at multiple size scales. Whereas the statistical characteristics of the patterns repeat for fractals found in natural objects, computers can generate patterns that repeat exactly. Are these exact fractals processed differently, visually and aesthetically, than their statistical counterparts? We investigated the human aesthetic response to the complexity of exact fractals by manipulating fractal dimensionality, symmetry, recursion, and the number of segments in the generator. Across two studies, a variety of fractal patterns were visually presented to human participants to determine the typical response to exact fractals. In the first study, we found that preference ratings for exact midpoint displacement fractals can be described by a linear trend with preference increasing as fractal dimension increases. For the majority of individuals, preference increased with dimension. We replicated these results for other exact fractal patterns in a second study. In the second study, we also tested the effects of symmetry and recursion by presenting asymmetric dragon fractals, symmetric dragon fractals, and Sierpinski carpets and Koch snowflakes, which have radial and mirror symmetry. We found a strong interaction among recursion, symmetry and fractal dimension. Specifically, at low levels of recursion, the presence of symmetry was enough to drive high preference ratings for patterns with moderate to high levels of fractal dimension. Most individuals required a much higher level of recursion to recover this level of preference in a pattern that lacked mirror or radial symmetry, while others were less discriminating. This suggests that exact fractals are processed differently than their statistical counterparts. We propose a set of four factors that influence complexity and preference judgments in fractals that may extend to other patterns: fractal dimension, recursion, symmetry and the number of segments in a pattern. Conceptualizations such as Berlyne’s and Redies’ theories of aesthetics also provide a suitable framework for interpretation of our data with respect to the individual differences that we detect. Future studies that incorporate physiological methods to measure the human aesthetic response to exact fractal patterns would further elucidate our responses to such timeless patterns.