Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial modelling using a new class of nonstationary covariance functions

We introduce a new class of nonstationary covariance functions for spatial modelling. Nonstationary covariance functions allow the model to adapt to spatial surfaces whose variability changes with location. The class includes a nonstationary version of the Matérn stationary covariance, in which the differentiability of the spatial surface is controlled by a parameter, freeing one from fixing the differentiability in advance. The class allows one to knit together local covariance parameters into a valid global nonstationary covariance, regardless of how the local covariance structure is estimated. We employ this new nonstationary covariance in a fully Bayesian model in which the unknown spatial process has a Gaussian process (GP) prior distribution with a nonstationary covariance function from the class. We model the nonstationary structure in a computationally efficient way that creates nearly stationary local behaviour and for which stationarity is a special case. We also suggest non‐Bayesian approaches to nonstationary kriging.
A Framework for Tangible User Interfaces

This paper extends our understanding of tangible user interfaces (TUIs) by considering the different ways in which physical and digital objects can be computationally coupled. It proposes a framework based around the degree of coherence between physical and digital objects. Links between physical and digital objects are described in terms of a set of underlying properties (transformation, sensing, configurability, lifetime, autonomy, cardinality and link source). We use our framework to classify a representative selection of existing TUI systems. This classification raises key implications for the field of tangible computing. In particular our focus on enriching physical-digital links highlights the need to consider the asymmetry of these links, issues surrounding their configuration and the need to represent their nature to developers and users.
Fast MR parameter mapping from highly undersampled data by Direct Reconstruction of Principal Component Coefficient Maps using Compressed Sensing

Introduction: There has been an increased interest in quantitative MR parameter mapping techniques which enable direct comparison of tissuerelated values between different subjects and scans. However the lengthy acquisition times needed by conventional parameter mapping methods limit their use in the clinic. For estimating T2 values from highly undersampled radial Fast Spin Echo (FSE) datasets, an echo sharing method was proposed in [1]. While this method produces accurate T2 estimates for large objects, the estimation error increases for smaller structures such as small tumors. Recently, model-based techniques that utilize sparsifying penalty functions as suggested by the Compressed Sensing (CS) theory [2] have also been proposed for this task [3,4]. In this work, we introduce a new model-based approach to reconstruct accurate T2 maps from highly undersampled FSE data. The proposed approach referred to as DIrect REconstruction of Principal COmponent coefficient Maps (DIREPCOM) employs sparsity constraints in both the spatial and temporal dimensions to produces accurate T2 maps. Theory: Let ρ and T2 denote the proton-density and the T2 maps, respectively. Assuming a single exponential T2 decay, the signal model is given by , where TEj denotes the j echo time, and FTj is the forward Fourier Transform for given k-space locations at TEj. In [3], an iterative algorithm for reconstructing T2 maps was formulated:
Local Reconstruction Error of l2 Norm for Discriminant Feature Extraction

For face recognition, feature extraction and learning robust and discriminative structure are the most important. Since Qinfeng Shi et al have demonstrated that ¦É2 approach to the face recognition problem is not only more accurate but also more robust and much faster. Motivated above, we propose a novel feature extraction method by combining the local discriminative power with ¦É2 norm technique. We calculate the local reconstruction weights using ¦É2 norm. Finally, we seek a feature space that the ratio between the local reconstructive error caused by data from different class and the error caused by intra-class sample is maximized. The experimental results on AR and ORL face database demonstrate that the performance of our algorithm is the best.
The clinical consequence of positive mental health in psychotherapy

The current commentary is aimed at critically analyzing the document Psychotherapies for Anxiety and Depression: benefits and costs by focusing on specific theoretical concepts and empirical evidences arising from research studies fulfilled in the area of study of Clinical and Health Psychology. Specifically, the following were the main topics on which we are focused on: i) the clinical consequence potentially resulting from considering the psychological well-being and the euthymia condition as the main targets of a psychotherapeutic treatment; ii) a critical reappraisal of the clinical inadequacy of the evidence based model in psychotherapy; iii) clinimetrics as a clinically based measurement method for evaluating the psychological well-being of a patient after a psychotherapeutic intervention.
CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 10 (COP10) Contributes to Floral Repression under Non-Inductive Short Days in Arabidopsis

In Arabidopsis, CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC/DE-ETIOLATED/FUSCA (COP/DET/FUS) genes act in repression of photomorphogenesis in darkness, and recent reports revealed that some of these genes, such as COP1 and DET1, also have important roles in controlling flowering time and circadian rhythm. The COP/DET/FUS protein COP10 interacts with DET1 and DNA DAMAGE-BINDING PROTEIN 1 (DDB1) to form a CDD complex and represses photomorphogenesis in darkness. The cop10-4 mutants flower normally in inductive long days (LD) but early in non-inductive short days (SD) compared with wild type (WT); however, the role of COP10 remains unknown. Here, we investigate the role of COP10 in SD-dependent floral repression. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR revealed that in SD, expression of the LD-dependent floral inducers GI, FKF1, and FT significantly increased in cop10-4 mutants, compared with WT. This suggests that COP10 mainly regulates FT expression in a CO-independent manner. We also show that COP10 interacts with GI in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that COP10 could also affect GI function at the posttranslational level. Moreover, FLC expression was repressed drastically in cop10-4 mutants and COP10 interacts with MULTICOPY SUPPRESSOR OF IRA1 4 (MSI4)/FVE (MSI4/FVE), which epigenetically inhibits FLC expression. These data suggest that COP10 contributes to delaying flowering in the photoperiod and autonomous pathways by downregulating FT expression under SD.
A monoclonal antibody to beta 1 integrin (CD29) stimulates VLA- dependent adherence of leukocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells and matrix components

The leukocyte beta 1 integrin receptor very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4) (alpha 4 beta 1, CD49d/CD29) binds to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expressed on cytokine-activated endothelium. A mAb designated 8A2 was identified that stimulated the binding of U937 cells to CHO cells transfected with VCAM-1 cDNA but not endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule or CD4 cDNA. mAb 8A2 also rapidly stimulated the adherence of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) to VCAM-1-transfected CHO cells or recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. mAb 8A2-stimulated binding of PBL was inhibited by mAbs to VLA-4 or VCAM-1. Surface expression of VLA-4 was not altered by mAb 8A2 treatment and monovalent Fab fragments of mAb 8A2 were active. Immunoprecipitation studies reveal that mAb 8A2 recognizes beta 1-subunit (CD29) of integrin receptors. In contrast to mAbs directed to VLA-4 alpha-subunit (alpha 4, CD49d), mAb 8A2 did not induce homotypic aggregation of PBL. Additionally, mAb 8A2 stimulated adherence of PBL and hematopoietic cell lines to purified matrix components laminin and fibronectin. This binding was blocked by mAbs to the VLA alpha-subunits alpha 6 (CD49f), or alpha 5 (CD49e) and alpha 4 (CD49d), respectively. We conclude that mAb 8A2 modulates the affinity of VLA-4 and other leukocyte beta 1 integrins, and should prove useful in studying the regulation of beta 1 integrin function.
An empirical equilibrium job search model with continuously distributed heterogeneity of workers' opportunity costs of employment and firms productivities, and search on the job

In this paper we present and estimate a synthesis of previous equilibrium search models: allowing for continuous distributions of workers opportunity costs of employment, as well as firms’ productivities. The model allows for on-the-job search, and we assume that job offer arrival rates for workers are independent of their labor market state. We derive the theoretical implications of these assumptions, we provide simulations, and we develop a semi-parametric estimation procedure that we apply to a dataset of individual labor market histories.
Factors influencing adherence to treatment in COPD patients and its relationship with disease exacerbations.

INTRODUCTION Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Systematic treatment of COPD decreases symptoms and reduces the frequency of exacerbations and hospitalisations because of the disease. It is estimated that only 50% of patients use prescribed drugs systematically. The aim of this study was to identify the factors which can influence adherence to treatment of the patients who were treated due to exacerbation of COPD. MATERIAL AND METHODS A questionnaire probe was conducted on 49 patients hospitalised at the Regional Lung and Tuberculosis Hospital in Olsztyn, Poland due to COPD exacerbation. The assessed variables were: quality of life and adherence to treatment 30 days after discharge from hospital in relationship with demographic factors, social status, disease and hospitalisation course, and relief after systematic treatment. RESULTS Most of the patients assessed their health condition as poor and the disease as limiting their everyday social and occupational activity. 30 days after discharge from hospital the adherence rate to therapy was only 67%. There was an association between systematic treatment and the rate of exacerbations (P = 0.045) and hospitalisations (P = 0.005) but also clinical benefit after long-term treatment (P = 0.023). There were no associations between adherence to treatment and sex, place of residence, education or occupation. CONCLUSIONS Lack of systematic treatment is the main risk factor for COPD exacerbations and hospitalisation rate. A subjective sense of relief after drugs is a factor improving patients' compliance.
The Therapeutic effect of Memantine through the Stimulation of Synapse Formation and Dendritic Spine Maturation in Autism and Fragile X Syndrome

Although the pathogenic mechanisms that underlie autism are not well understood, there is evidence showing that metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors are hyper-stimulated and the GABAergic system is hypo-stimulated in autism. Memantine is an uncompetitive antagonist of NMDA receptors and is widely prescribed for treatment of Alzheimer's disease treatment. Recently, it has been shown to improve language function, social behavior, and self-stimulatory behaviors of some autistic subjects. However the mechanism by which memantine exerts its effect remains to be elucidated. In this study, we used cultured cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) from Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice, a mouse model for fragile X syndrome (FXS) and syndromic autism, to examine the effects of memantine on dendritic spine development and synapse formation. Our results show that the maturation of dendritic spines is delayed in Fmr1-KO CGCs. We also detected reduced excitatory synapse formation in Fmr1-KO CGCs. Memantine treatment of Fmr1-KO CGCs promoted cell adhesion properties. Memantine also stimulated the development of mushroom-shaped mature dendritic spines and restored dendritic spine to normal levels in Fmr1-KO CGCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that memantine treatment promoted synapse formation and restored the excitatory synapses to a normal range in Fmr1-KO CGCs. These findings suggest that memantine may exert its therapeutic capacity through a stimulatory effect on dendritic spine maturation and excitatory synapse formation, as well as promoting adhesion of CGCs.
The Single-Queue Switch: A Building Block for Switches with Programmable Scheduling

We introduce a new approach to ATM switching. We propose an ATM switch architecture which uses only a single shift-register-type buffering element to store and queue cells, and within the same (physical) queue, switches the cells by organizing them in logical queues destined for different output lines. The buffer is also a sequencer which allows flexible ordering of the cells in each logical queue to achieve any appropriate scheduling algorithm. This switch is proposed for use as the building block of large-stale multistage ATM switches because of low hardware complexity and flexibility in providing (per-VC) scheduling among the cells. The switch can also be used as scheduler/controller for RAM-based switches. The single-queue switch implements output queueing and performs full buffer sharing. The hardware complexity is low. The number of input and output lines can vary independently without affecting the switch core. The size of the buffering space can be increased simply by cascading the buffering elements.
Adaptive Pipeline Parallelism for Image Feature Extraction Algorithms

Currently, multimedia data has become one of the major data types processed and transferred on the Internet. With the rapid growth of multimedia data, it is vitally important to find an efficient way to extract useful information from a large amount of data. SIFT and SURF, as the most popular multimedia feature extraction algorithms, have been widely used in many applications. However, the limited processing speed~(about 1.8 and 2.6 images or frames per second for SIFT and SURF respectively on an ordinary CPU) makes it impossible to apply them in many real-world applications with real-time requirements. Therefore, it has become one of the major challenges that how to improve the processing speed of these multimedia feature extraction algorithms. The popularity of multi-core architecture and the increase of computation resources on different platforms provide a new opportunity to accelerate the processing speed of these image feature extraction algorithms. In this paper, we first systematically analyze the major parallel constraints in SIFT and SURF, such as imbalanced workload and indeterminate time distribution. Then, based on these analysis, we design and implement an adaptive pipeline parallel scheme (AD-PIPE) for both SIFT and SURF to alleviate these limitations. In our scheme, we dynamically check the workload in different pipeline stages and adjust the thread number in different stages to achieve a balanced partition. Experimental results show that our approach is efficient and scalable. It can achieve a speedup of 16.88X and 20.33X respectively for SIFT and SURF on a 16-core machine and a real time processing speed with about 27 and 52 images or frames per second.
Zero-pole interpolation for matrix meromorphic functions on a compact Riemann surface and a matrix Fay trisecant identity

This paper presents a new approach to constructing a meromorphic bundle map between flat vector bundles over a compact Riemann surface having a prescribed Weil divisor (i.e., having prescribed zeros and poles with directional as well as multiplicity information included in the vector case). This new formalism unifies the earlier approach of Ball-Clancey (in the setting of trivial bundles over an abstract Riemann surface) with an earlier approach of the authors (where the Riemann surface was assumed to be the normalizing Riemann surface for an algebraic curve embedded in C 2 with determinantal representation, and the vector bundles were assumed to be presented as the kernels of linear matrix pencils). The main tool is a version of the Cauchy kernel appropriate for flat vector bundles over the Riemann surface. Our formula for the interpolating bundle map (in the special case of a single zero and a single pole) can be viewed as a generalization of the Fay trisecant identity from the usual line bundle case to the vector bundle case in terms of Cauchy kernels. In particular we obtain a new proof of the Fay trisecant identity.
Electronic Properties of Pristine and Boron-doped Triangular Graphene

The electronic properties of pristine and B doped triangular graphene sheets have been investigated by using density functional theory calculations. After doping B atom, most of C-C bonds increase and also increase HOMO-LUMO energy gap. The effects of doping on the Milliken charges and molecular distribution have been studied as well.
Action Potential-Dependent Regulation of Gene Expression: Temporal Specificity in Ca2+, cAMP-Responsive Element Binding Proteins, and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling

Specific patterns of neural impulses regulate genes controlling nervous system development and plasticity, but it is not known how intracellular signaling cascades and transcriptional activation mechanisms can regulate specific genes in response to specific patterns of action potentials. Studies using electrical stimulation of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture show that the temporal dynamics of intracellular signaling pathways are an important factor. Expression of c-fos varied inversely with the interval between repeated bursts of action potentials. Transcription was not dependent on a large or sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+, and high Ca2+ levels separated by long interburst intervals (5 min) produced minimal increases in c-fos expression. Levels of the transcription factor cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated at Ser-133, increased rapidly in response to brief action potential stimulation but remained at high levels several minutes after an action potential burst. These kinetics limited the fidelity with which P-CREB could follow different patterns of action potentials, and P-CREB levels were not well correlated withc-fos expression. The extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) also were stimulated by action potentials of appropriate temporal patterns. Bursts of action potentials separated by long intervals (5 min) did not activate MAPK effectively, but they did increase CREB phosphorylation. This was a consequence of the more rapid dephosphorylation of MAPK in comparison to CREB. High expression of c-fos was dependent on the combined activation of the MAPK pathway and phosphorylation of CREB. These observations show that temporal features of action potentials (and associated Ca2+transients) regulate expression of neuronal genes by activating specific intracellular signaling pathways with appropriate temporal dynamics.
1993 International Conference on Parallel Processing On Compiling Array Expressions for Efficient Execution on Dist ribut ed-Memory Machines

Efficient generation of communication sets and local index sets is important for evaluation of array expressions in scientific languages such as Fortran-90 and High Performance Fortran implemented on distributed-memory machines. We show that for arrays affinely ahgned with ternplates that are distributed on multiple processors with a block-cyclic distribution, the local memory access sequence and communication sets can be efficiently enumerated using closed forms. First, closed form solutions are presented for arrays that are aligned with identity ternplatthat are distributed using block or cyclic distributions. T h e dosed forms are then used with a uirtual processor approach to give an efficient solution for arrays with block-cyclic distributions. These results are extended to arrays affinely aligned to arbitrary templates that have regular distributions. We present performance results on an iPSC/860 processor, that demonstrate the low runtime overhead of this scheme.
Quantitative relationships of intravascular tumor cells, tumor vessels, and pulmonary metastases following tumor implantation.

Summary An experimental model has been developed to quantify some of the major processes initiated by tumor transplantation and culminating in pulmonary metastases. The T241 fibrosarcoma, chosen because of its high hematogenous metastatic propensity and reproducible biological behavior, is transplanted into the femoral region of the C57BL mouse. Experiments are performed at specified times after transplantation to determine the dynamics of tumor growth, density, and size distribution of perfused tumor vessels, entry rate of tumor cells into the circulation, and the number of pulmonary metastases. Estimates of the entry rate of tumor cells into the circulation are obtained by perfusing tumors with an oxygenated, cell-free medium to allow the counting of single tumor cells and tumor cell clumps collected in the venous effluent. The tumor vascular network appears at approximately Day 4, while tumor cells are first observed in the perfusate approximately 5 days after transplantation. The concentration of effluent tumor cells, singly and in clumps, increases rapidly until Day 10, after which the rate of cell entry into the perfusion is diminished. A linear relation is found between the density of perfused vessels and the concentration of effluent tumor cells. Metastases, first observed on Day 10, increase rapidly with time, at a rate similar to that of the concentration of effluent tumor cell clumps containing 4 or more cells. These studies suggest that dynamics of hematogenously initiated metastases depend strongly on the entry rate of tumor cell clumps into the circulation, which in turn is intimately linked to tumor vascularization.
Hardware for Superior Texture Performance

Abstract Mapping textures onto surfaces of computer-generated objects is a technique which greatly improves the realism of their appearance. Unfortunately, this imposes high computational demands and, even worse, tremendous memory bandwidth requirements on the graphics system. Tight cost frames in the industry in conjunction with ever increasing user expectations make the design of a powerful texture mapping unit a difficult task. To meet these requirements we follow two different approaches. On the technology side, we observe a rapidly emerging technology which offers the combination of enormous transfer rates and computing power: logic-embedded memories. On the algorithmic side, a common way to reduce data traffic is image compression. Its application to texture mapping, however, is difficult since the decompression must be done at pixel frequency. In this work we will focus on the latter approach, describing the use of a specific compression scheme for texture mapping. It allows the use of a very simple and fast decompression hardware, bringing high performance texture mapping to low-cost systems.