Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge in a Social Network

The purpose of this paper is to present a formal model of social net- works suitable for studying questions in social epistemology. We show how to use this model, in conjunction with a computer program for simulating groups of inquirers, to draw conclusions about the epistemological prop- erties of different social practices. This furnishes us with the beginnings of a systematic research program in social epistemology, from which to approach problems pertaining to epistemic value, optimal organization, and the dynamics of multi-agent inquiry.
Meta-art: art of the 3-D user-created virtual worlds

User-created content and social networking have proved to be the most fundamental elements that shape how and why people use the Internet today. One concept that stems from and combines these two motives is ‘metaverse’, 3-D user-created virtual worlds. During the last few years, we have witnessed the rise of several metaverse attempts, and a growing art community within them, due to the possibilities they offer for building creative content. This paper develops from the historical evolution of metaverse, and the dynamic and transformative relationship between art and information and communication technologies (ICT), which has so far transformed the spectator into participator, user, and even creator of both the artwork and content in the web. It discusses and further proposes a form of ‘meta-art’, the native art form of a future metaverse, which inherits this transformative interplay between art and ICT and already existing art expressions in the current metaversal worlds.
Prognostic value of nutritional status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The association between low body mass index (BMI) and poor prognosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common clinical observation. We prospectively examined whether BMI is an independent predictor of mortality in subjects with COPD from the Copenhagen City Heart Study. In total, 1,218 men and 914 women, aged 21 to 89 yr, with airway obstruction defined as an FEV(1)-to-FVC ratio of less than 0.7, were included in the analyses. Spirometric values, BMI, smoking habits, and respiratory symptoms were assessed at the time of study enrollment, and mortality from COPD and from all causes during 17 yr of follow-up was analyzed with multivariate Cox regression models. After adjustment for age, ventilatory function, and smoking habits, low BMI was predictive of a poor prognosis (i.e., higher mortality), with relative risks (RRs) in underweight subjects as compared with that in subjects of normal weight of 1.64 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20 to 2.23) in men and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.89) in women. However, the association between BMI and survival differed significantly with stage of COPD. In mild and moderate COPD there was a nonsignificant U-shaped relationship, with the lowest risk occurring in normal-weight to overweight subjects, whereas in severe COPD, mortality continued to decrease with increasing BMI (test for trend: p < 0.001). Similar results were found for COPD-related deaths, with the strongest associations found in severe COPD (RR for low versus high BMI: 7.11 [95% CI: 2.97 to 17.05]). We conclude that low BMI is an independent risk factor for mortality in subjects with COPD, and that the association is strongest in subjects with severe COPD.
Prophylactic antibiotic treatment in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis: a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Antibiotic prophylaxis in necrotizing pancreatitis remains controversial. Until now, there have been no double-blind studies dealing with this topic. METHODS A total sample size of 200 patients was calculated to demonstrate with a power of 90% that antibiotic prophylaxis reduces the proportion of patients with infected pancreatic necrosis from 40% placebo (PLA) to 20% ciprofloxacin/metronidazole (CIP/MET). One hundred fourteen patients with acute pancreatitis in combination with a serum C-reactive protein exceeding 150 mg/L and/or necrosis on contrast-enhanced CT scan were enrolled and received either intravenous CIP (2 x 400 mg/day) + MET (2 x 500 mg/day) or PLA. Study medication was discontinued and switched to open antibiotic treatment when infectious complications, multiple organ failure sepsis, or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) occurred. After half of the planned sample size was recruited, an adaptive interim analysis was performed, and recruitment was stopped. RESULTS Fifty-eight patients received CIP/MET and 56 patients PLA. Twenty-eight percent in the CIP/MET group required open antibiotic treatment vs. 46% with PLA. Twelve percent of the CIP/MET group developed infected pancreatic necrosis compared with 9% of the PLA group (P = 0.585). Mortality was 5% in the CIP/MET and 7% in the PLA group. In 76 patients with pancreatic necrosis on contrast-enhanced CT scan, no differences in the rate of infected pancreatic necrosis, systemic complications, or mortality were observed. CONCLUSIONS This study detected no benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis with respect to the risk of developing infected pancreatic necrosis.
Graph Regularized NMF with L20-norm for Unsupervised Feature Learning

Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) is a widely applied technique in the fields of machine learning and data mining. Graph Regularized Non-negative Matrix Factorization (GNMF) is an extension of NMF that incorporates graph regularization constraints. GNMF has demonstrated exceptional performance in clustering and dimensionality reduction, effectively discovering inherent low-dimensional structures embedded within high-dimensional spaces. However, the sensitivity of GNMF to noise limits its stability and robustness in practical applications. In order to enhance feature sparsity and mitigate the impact of noise while mining row sparsity patterns in the data for effective feature selection, we introduce the $\ell_{2,0}$-norm constraint as the sparsity constraints for GNMF. We propose an unsupervised feature learning framework based on GNMF\_$\ell_{20}$ and devise an algorithm based on PALM and its accelerated version to address this problem. Additionally, we establish the convergence of the proposed algorithms and validate the efficacy and superiority of our approach through experiments conducted on both simulated and real image data.
Myofilament calcium regulation in human myocardium.

BACKGROUND We investigated whether decreased myofilament calcium contractile activation may, in part, contribute to heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS Calcium concentration required for 50% activation and Hill coefficient for fibers from nonfailing and failing human hearts at pH 7.1 were not different. Maximum calcium-activated force (F(max)) was also not different. However, at pH 6.8 and 6.9, differences were seen in myofilament calcium activation between nonfailing and failing hearts. At lower pH, failing myocardium was shifted left on the calcium axis compared with nonfailing myocardium, which suggested an increase in myofilament calcium responsiveness. Increased inorganic phosphate concentration decreased maximal force development by 56% in nonfailing and 36% in failing myocardium and shifted the calcium-force relationship by 2.01+/-0.22 versus 0.86+/-0.13 micromol/L, respectively (P<0.05). Addition of cAMP resulted in a 0. 56 micromol/L shift toward higher intracellular calcium concentrations in nonfailing myocardium and a 1.04 micromol/L shift in failing myocardium. Protein kinase A in the presence of cAMP resulted in a further rightward shift in nonfailing human myocardium but did not further shift the calcium-force relationship in fibers from failing hearts. cGMP also resulted in a greater decrease in myofilament calcium sensitivity in fibers from failing hearts. CONCLUSIONS We propose that changes at the level of the thin myofilaments result in differential responses to changes in the intracellular milieu in nonfailing versus failing myocardium.
Effect of advancing age on outcomes of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson disease.

IMPORTANCE Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established modality for the treatment of advanced Parkinson disease (PD). Recent studies have found DBS plus best medical therapy to be superior to best medical therapy alone for patients with PD and early motor complications. Although no specific age cutoff has been defined, most clinical studies have excluded patients older than 75 years of age. We hypothesize that increasing age would be associated with an increased number of postoperative complications. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the stepwise effect of increasing age (in 5-year epochs) on short-term complications following DBS surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A large, retrospective cohort study was performed using the Thomson Reuters MarketScan national database that examined 1757 patients who underwent DBS for PD during the period from 2000 to 2009. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Primary measures examined included hospital length of stay and aggregate and individual complications within 90 days following surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate complication-related odds ratios (ORs) for each 5-year age epoch after controlling for covariates. RESULTS Overall, 132 of 1757 patients (7.5%) experienced at least 1 complication within 90 days, including wound infections (3.6%), pneumonia (2.3%), hemorrhage or hematoma (1.4%), or pulmonary embolism (0.6%). After adjusting for covariates, we found that increasing age (ranging from <50 to 90 years of age) did not significantly affect overall 90-day complication rates (OR, 1.10 per 5-year increase [95% CI, 0.96-1.25]; P = .17). The 2 most common procedure-related complications, hemorrhage (OR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.63-1.07]; P = .14) and infection (OR, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.87-1.24]; P = .69), did not significantly increase with age. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Older patients with PD (>75 years) who were selected to undergo DBS surgery showed a similar 90-day complication risk (including postoperative hemorrhage or infection) compared with younger counterparts. Our findings suggest that age alone should not be a primary exclusion factor for determining candidacy for DBS. Instead, a clear focus on patients with medication-refractory and difficult to control on-off fluctuations with preserved cognition, regardless of age, may allow for an expansion of the traditional therapeutic window.
Learning-Based Design of Off-Policy Gaussian Controllers: Integrating Model Predictive Control and Gaussian Process Regression

This paper presents an off-policy Gaussian Predictive Control (GPC) framework aimed at solving optimal control problems with a smaller computational footprint, thereby facilitating real-time applicability while ensuring critical safety considerations. The proposed controller imitates classical control methodologies by modeling the optimization process through a Gaussian process and employs Gaussian Process Regression to learn from the Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm. Notably, the Gaussian Process setup does not incorporate a built-in model, enhancing its applicability to a broad range of control problems. We applied this framework experimentally to a differential drive mobile robot, tasking it with trajectory tracking and obstacle avoidance. Leveraging the off-policy aspect, the controller demonstrated adaptability to diverse trajectories and obstacle behaviors. Simulation experiments confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed GPC method, emphasizing its ability to learn the dynamics of optimal control strategies. Consequently, our findings highlight the significant potential of off-policy Gaussian Predictive Control in achieving real-time optimal control for handling of robotic systems in safety-critical scenarios.
Ctip2/Bcl11b controls ameloblast formation during mammalian odontogenesis

The transcription factor Ctip2/Bcl11b plays essential roles in developmental processes of the immune and central nervous systems and skin. Here we show that Ctip2 also plays a key role in tooth development. Ctip2 is highly expressed in the ectodermal components of the developing tooth, including inner and outer enamel epithelia, stellate reticulum, stratum intermedium, and the ameloblast cell lineage. In Ctip2−/− mice, tooth morphogenesis appeared to proceed normally through the cap stage but developed multiple defects at the bell stage. Mutant incisors and molars were reduced in size and exhibited hypoplasticity of the stellate reticulum. An ameloblast-like cell population developed ectopically on the lingual aspect of mutant lower incisors, and the morphology, polarization, and adhesion properties of ameloblasts on the labial side of these teeth were severely disrupted. Perturbations of gene expression were also observed in the mandible of Ctip2−/− mice: expression of the ameloblast markers amelogenin, ameloblastin, and enamelin was down-regulated, as was expression of Msx2 and epiprofin, transcription factors implicated in the tooth development and ameloblast differentiation. These results suggest that Ctip2 functions as a critical regulator of epithelial cell fate and differentiation during tooth morphogenesis.
Adaptive Power Saving Strategies for IEEE 802.16e Mobile Broadband Wireless Access

IEEE 802.16e is an emerging standard for mobile wireless broadband access systems. In any mobile networks, power saving is one of the most important features for the extension of devices' lifetime. In this paper, we introduce the sleep-mode operation of IEEE 802.16e and parameters related to this operation. Then, we adapt these parameters according to different traffic types for efficient power saving. For CBR traffic, by setting a proper initial-sleep window size, the maximum delay can be guaranteed while saving the average power consumption. For FTP traffic, by sleeping during queue-empty periods, the throughput performance is barely sacrificed while efficient power saving is accomplished
Proteome Analyses of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Proteomics has evolved into a powerful and widely used bioanalytical technique in the study of cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we provide an up to date overview of feasible proteome-analytical techniques for clinical questions. In addition, we present a broad summary of proteomic studies of HCC utilizing various technical approaches for the analysis of samples derived from diverse sources like HCC cell lines, animal models, human tissue and body fluids.
Obscuring difference through shaping debate: A Lacanian view of planning for diversity

Abstract Lacanian theory posits that human subjectivity implicitly seeks to overlook contradiction, difference and ambiguity to fulfil aspirations for a harmonious and complete world. Planning traditionally relies on this “social” desire for its effectiveness in shaping policy frames, or ideological perspectives, from which to strategically orientate urban policy towards the future. This may sit at odds with the conceptualization of the postmodern city as constituted by spaces of difference and diversity. Lacanian discourse theory will be used to examine how the beliefs of the planning profession are shaped and then implemented in our urban environments. The implications of addressing diversity as both a fundamental planning reality underlying many of our urban environments and as a major planning ideal, exemplified by multiculturalism, will be explored in this context and found to be of concern without revision to established institutional planning practices and wider societal expectations of urban management.
Two Sides of the Page: The Antifact and the Artefact

For Bryan Cantley technology has introduced new possibilities for drawing with ‘the ability to render conditions of transformation, phase shifting, entropy and revolution’. It has also prompted a rethink of the phenomenological relationship of architectural drawing with the world; between the page and objects; between the antifact and the artefact. He makes an analogy between the legal status of the unborn child and nascent, unbuilt drawn architecture.
First‐onset tics in patients with attention‐deficit‐hyperactivity disorder: impact of stimulants

First‐onset tics during stimulant treatment of attention‐deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are clinically relevant and remain a matter of scientific debate. Because there are limited clinical trials analyzing the risk of first‐onset tics in stimulant‐treated ADHD, a comprehensive evaluation is required for evidence‐based clinical recommendations. An analysis of studies with high methodological quality (i.e. double‐blind placebo‐controlled) on first‐onset tics during stimulant treatment of ADHD revealed that there seems to be no elevated risk of first‐onset tics in children undergoing this treatment. Although a close temporal relationship might be seen in a few patients, the role of treatment duration, dose of stimulant, genetic vulnerability, and developmental aspects need to be further explored to clarify possible pathophysiological mechanisms of tic emergence under stimulant treatment. The results of high quality studies, in addition to specialized studies with methodological limitations, suggest that stimulants are the criterion standard for the safe and successful treatment of ADHD.
Adaptación sociocultural de inmigrantes brasileños en el País Vasco: bienestar y aculturación

Resumen Esta investigación ha examinado el proceso de adaptación sociocultural de los inmigrantes y su relación con la adaptación psicológica y las estrategias de aculturación. Se entrevistó a 91 inmigrantes brasileños en el País Vasco. Se midieron las dificultades de adaptación sociocultural a través de la escala SCAS, las dificultades socio-económicas, la afectividad (PNA), la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS-SF-12), la satisfacción con la vida, el control percibido, la confianza interpersonal, así como el apoyo social percibido respecto a las personas del país de origen y de acogida, y las estrategias de aculturación (conductas y actitudes). Se hallaron dos dimensiones de la adaptación sociocultural: el “aprendizaje cultural y comunicación”, y el “manejo de la distancia social”. Las dificultades socioculturales son mayores al inicio del proceso de adaptación, disminuyendo con el tiempo de estancia, y se asocian a las dificultades socio-económicas, al apoyo social, al bienestar hedónico y al control percibido. La separación conductual se relaciona con más problemas de adaptación sociocultural, mientras que a nivel actitudinal la marginación dificultaría el aprendizaje cultural y la comunicación. Se confirma la existencia de dos tipos básicos de dificultades de adaptación sociocultural, el rápido aprendizaje sociocultural, así como los factores protectores.
Clustered Sub-Matrix Singular Value Decomposition

This paper presents an alternative algorithm based on the singular value decomposition (SVD) that creates vector representation for linguistic units with reduced dimensionality. The work was motivated by an application aimed to represent text segments for further processing in a multi-document summarization system. The algorithm tries to compensate for SVD's bias towards dominant-topic documents. Our experiments on measuring document similarities have shown that the algorithm achieves higher average precision with lower number of dimensions than the baseline algorithms - the SVD and the vector space model.
Extended Continuous Inverse Class-F Power Amplifiers With Class-AB Bias Conditions

In this letter, the operation of continuous inverse Class-F (Class-F<sup>−1</sup>) mode with Class-AB bias conditions is modeled. The extended waveform expression of intrinsic drain current is derived for continuous Class-F<sup>−1</sup> power amplifiers (PAs) biased above pinchoff point. Based on the modified current and voltage waveform formulas, the delivered power and efficiency performance is analyzed as a function of conduction angle. Moreover, the design space of fundamental and harmonic load admittances is generalized for any conduction angle between <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula>. For experimental verification, a broadband PA is implemented with a 6-W LDMOS device. Under a Class-AB bias condition, the fabricated PA exhibits more than 70% power added efficiency and 38-dBm output power with a fractional bandwidth of 62% from 500 to 950 MHz.
Poster : UserCSP-User Specified Content Security Policies

Content Security Policy (CSP) is a browser security mechanism that aims to protect websites from content injection attacks. To adopt CSP, website developers need to manually compile a list of allowed content sources. Nearly all websites require modifications to comply with CSP’s default behavior, which blocks inline scripts and the use of the eval() function. Alternatively, websites could adopt a policy that allows the use of this unsafe functionality, but this opens up potential attack vectors. When websites do not implement CSP, security savvy users do not have the control to proactively protect themselves. To make adoption of CSP easier, we propose UserCSP, a Firefox extension that uses dynamic analysis to automatically infer CSP policies, facilitates testing, and gives savvy users the authority to enforce client-side policies on websites.
On extended perfect codes

We consider extended $1$-perfect codes in Hamming graphs $H(n,q)$. Such nontrivial codes are known only when $n=2^k$, $k\geq 1$, $q=2$, or $n=q+2$, $q=2^m$, $m\geq 1$. Recently, Bespalov proved nonexistence of extended $1$-perfect codes for $q=3$, $4$, $n>q+2$. In this work, we characterize all positive integers $n$, $r$ and prime $p$, for which there exist such a code in $H(n,p^r)$.
Sensitivity analysis of radiometrical calibration model to system settings based on field imaging spectrometers

Accurate radiometric calibration (RC) of a scientific sensor is of crucial importance in ensuring the credibility of its products or comparing results derived from different sensors or times. It's found that variations of optional system imaging settings may affect the sensor's radiometric calibration results. However, previous researches seldom emphasized their influences on current RC models. From this point, this paper conducted sensitivity analyses of the RC model to three key optional system settings referring to the integration time (t), aperture (F) and detector temperature (T) using our newly developed Field Imaging Spectrometer System (FISS). Quantitative determinations of their influences on sensor radiometric coefficients were respectively implemented. Results indicated that the three system settings play important roles in the detector's radiometric response and change RC coefficients in different ways. Finally, an operational RC model taking into account the sensor's imaging settings is initially discussed.
Novel Reassortant Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses in Domestic Ducks, Eastern China

Domestic ducks are natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses and serve as reassortant hosts for new virus subtypes. We isolated 2 novel influenza A(H5N8) viruses from domestic ducks in eastern China, sequenced their genomes, and tested their pathogenicity in chickens and mice. Circulation of these viruses may pose health risks for humans.