Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experiments with Two-Row Cuts from Degenerate Tableaux

There has been a recent interest in cutting planes generated from two or more rows of the optimal simplex tableau. One can construct examples of integer programs for which a single cutting plane generated from two rows dominates the entire split closure. Motivated by these theoretical results, we study the effect of adding a family of cutting planes generated from two rows on a set of instances from the MIPLIB library. The conclusion of whether these cuts are competitive with Gomory mixed-integer cuts is very sensitive to the experimental setup. In particular, we consider the issue of reliability versus aggressiveness of the cut generators, an issue that is usually not addressed in the literature.
A National Training Program in Aging Research for Social Work Faculty

Given the untapped potential of social work faculty to conduct aging research, we have designed, implemented, and evaluated a faculty training program in aging research in the United States. Specific aims included: strengthening participants' knowledge and skills related to research methodology, enhancing their awareness of grant support available for aging research, building participants' professional network and opportunities for mentorship, and increasing the number of strong applications they submit to external funding agencies. This special issue presents participants' experiences with the training program and how it contributed to their ability to effectively conduct aging research in a range of contexts. In particular, participants share the steps they took to secure grant support from agencies such as National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Alzheimer's Association, and the research they conducted with this support. Program participants also describe how they involved undergraduate and graduate students in their research projects, what activities the students undertook, and how the students benefited from these experiences. Since the visiting faculty played a key role in the training program as instructors and mentors, we have also included a paper that focuses on their reflections regarding why they agreed to serve as faculty, in what ways they contributed to the training activities, how their work in the program affected them, and what suggestions they would give to junior faculty who are growing their research in aging.
Spin gap and resonance at the nesting wave vector in superconducting FeSe_{0.4}Te_{0.6}.

Neutron scattering is used to probe magnetic excitations in FeSe_{0.4}Te_{0.6} (T_{c} = 14 K). Low energy spin fluctuations are found with a characteristic wave vector (1/21/2L) that corresponds to Fermi surface nesting and differs from Q_{m} = (delta01/2) for magnetic ordering in Fe_{1+y}Te. A spin resonance with variant Planck's over 2piOmega_{0} = 6.51(4) meV approximately 5. 3k_{B}T_{c} and variant Planck's over 2piGamma = 1.25(5) meV develops in the superconducting state from a normal state continuum. We show that the resonance is consistent with a bound state associated with s_{+/-} superconductivity and imperfect quasi-2D Fermi surface nesting.
On the Age-Related Prevalence of Anisometropia

Data on the prevalence of non-amblyopic anisometropia amongst adults throughout the world were tabulated and plotted as a function of age. The global picture reveals a systematic rise in the prevalence of anisometropia with age, the fitted linear regression having a significant positive slope of 1% (p < 0.0005) for every 7 years. The distribution may embrace a juvenile rise and a later, post-presbyopic one, perhaps due to neuro-senescence.
[Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and beta in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of non-vavular hypertensive atrial fibrillation patients].

OBJECTIVE To determine the mRNA expressions of PPARalpha and PPARbeta in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of non-vavular hypertensive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and elucidate its possible role in the pathogenesis of AF. METHODS Peripheral blood samples were collected from 103 patients with hypertensive AF (persistent AF: 55, paroxysmal AF: 48) and 50 age-adjusted hypertension patients without AF. The mRNA expressions of PPARalpha, PPARbeta, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in monocytes were detected by using a Real time polymerase chain reaction. The concentrations of high sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were measured by immunoenzymetric method. RESULTS The PPARalpha mRNA expression level was persistently decreased in hypertensive non-AF group, paroxysmal AF group, and persistent AF group (1.34 +/- 0.17, 1.09 +/- 0.23, 0.85 +/- 0.22), while the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001; respectively). TNF-alpha mRNA, IL-6 mRNA,CRP and IL-1 persistently increased in hypertensive non-AF group, paroxysmal AF group, persistent AF group, also the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 001; respectively). The difference of PPARbeta mRNA was not statistically significant between non-AF group, paroxysmal AF group and persistent AF group. Left atrial diameter (LAD) was in positive correlation with CRP, IL-1, IL-6 mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA (P < 0.05). PPARalpha mRNA level was in negative correlation with CRP, IL-1, IL-6 mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA, the correlation coefficient was -0.519, -0.532, -0.491 and -0.528, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In hypertensive patients with AF, increased inflammatory cytokines were associated with atrial remodeling and lead to the development of atrial fibrillation; PPARalpha was negatively correlated with these inflammatory cytokines and may play a vital role in the process of atrial fibrillation development.
Modeling of the Thermomechanical Response of Active Laminates with SMA Strips Using the Layerwise Finite Element Method

A study on the effective thermomechanical response of a composite laminate with shape memory alloy (SMA) layers based on the implementation of the layerwise laminate theory in the finite element method is carried out in this paper. The SMA thermomechanical constitutive response is based on a thermomechanical model recently developed by Boyd and Lagoudas. The numerical implementation of the constitutive model is based on a return mapping integration algorithm which is employed in studying the SMA response characteristics in the composite laminate under thermal loading. In modeling the laminate, a displacement based finite element approach is used in conjunction with the layerwise laminate theory of Reddy, incorporating piecewise continuous distribution of transverse strains through the thickness. As an illustrative example, the deformations caused by two prestrained SMA strips placed symmetric to the mid-plane of an elastic plate, when thermally activated are studied. The top SMA strip starts transforming from the martensitic into the austenitic state upon actuation through resistive heating, simultaneously recovering the prestrain, thus causing the laminate to bend. A parametric study investigating plane strain and generalized plane strain is carried out, and the accuracy of the results is compared with the commercial finite element code ABAQUS. The main feature of the presented methodology is an accurate evaluation of actuation stresses in the SMA strips, efficiently combining the layerwise geometry with the finite element method.
Queueing Theory

Now all three of the 742 lecturers (in 2001 at least) have a background in Physics, and Physics is largely about finding mathematical models or descriptions of some physical system or process. This means that we often work in terms of models, sometimes without even realising it, and this can lead to all sorts of confusions among Computer Science students. The queueing theory of these notes leads to quite typical mathematical models, with hidden or assumed implications.
Effect of Composition on the Ordered Phase Formation in Co-Pt Thin Film Deposited on MgO(111) Single-Crystal Substrate

Co<sub>x</sub>Pt<sub>100-x</sub> (at. %) alloy epitaxial films with the close-packed plane parallel to the substrate surface are prepared on MgO(111) substrates heated at 300 °C by varying the Co content of x from 0 to 100. The stacking sequence of close-packed plane (the volume ratios of fcc and hcp crystals, V<sub>fcc</sub> and V<sub>hcp</sub>) and the order degree are quantitatively determined. The films with Pt-rich and nearly equiatomic compositions primarily consist of fcc crystals (V<sub>fcc</sub> >0.9). With increasing the x value beyond 56, the V<sub>hcp</sub> value drastically increases. The films with Co-rich compositions consist of mixtures of hcp (V<sub>hcp</sub> ≈0.8) and fcc (V<sub>fcc</sub> ≈ 0.2) crystals. The films with 31 ≤x≤ 86 involve metastable ordered phases. The order degree of S<sub>L11</sub>,Bh is kept constant around 0.25 in a compositional range of 31 × 75. From the viewpoints of volume ratios of fcc and hcp crystals and order degree, the crystal structure is determined to vary A1 A1 + SFs (SFs: stacking faults) L1<sub>1</sub>+ SFs ⇒L1<sub>1</sub>+ Bh (+D0<sub>19</sub>) ⇒A3 + SFs with increasing the x value. The films including ordered phases show strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropies. It is shown that the uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy of Co<sub>x</sub>Pt<sub>100-x</sub> film can be kept >10<sup>7</sup> erg/cm<sup>3</sup> while controlling the saturation magnetization from 600 to 1150 emu/cm<sup>3</sup>.
Approximation of the worst-case execution time using structural analysis

We present a technique to approximate the worst-case execution time that combines structural analysis with a loop-bounding algorithm based on local induction variable analysis. Structural analysis is an attractive foundation for several reasons: it delivers better bounds on the number of executions for each basic block than previous approaches, its complexity is well understood, and it allows the compiler to easily work on Java bytecode without requiring access to the original program source. There are two major steps. We first compute (min, max) bounds on the number of iterations for each loop. Then we use precise structural information to propagate these bounds to the whole control-flow graph and compute a bound for each basic block. Such a fine-grained result eases the identification of infeasible paths and improves the approximation of the worst-case execution time of a function or method. This analysis was successfully implemented in an ahead-of-time Java bytecode to native compiler and produces input for a worst-case execution time estimator. We describe the effectiveness in reducing the worst-case execution time for a number of programs from small kernels and soft-real-time applications.
Detecting and analysing "urban villages" in the Pearl River delta using multi-source remote sensing data

‘Urban villages’ is the Chinese version of informal settlement. It is a unique phenomenon that comprises mainly low-rise and congested, often illegal buildings surrounded by new constructions and high-rise buildings. Due to a lack of an unambiguous definition allowing for a spatial delineation of such areas, this article investigates a joint use of high-resolution optical and SAR satellite data through building extraction and 3D reconstruction of urban villages in Shenzhen, China. First, potential urban village footprints are extracted through a combined image fusion analysis of multispectral GaoFen-1 (GF-1) and high resolution TerraSAR-X radar (SAR) imagery. Then, building height estimation is performed on the basis of interferometry principles using interferometric X-band SAR (InSAR) from the Tandem-X mission. It can be demonstrated that urban villages and surrounding urban areas are clearly distinguishable through particular combinations of optical data, SAR data and height information. In particular, a rigid analysis identified three types of information as most suitable: 1) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), 2) contextual parameters such as edge and line density from GF-1 multi-spectral imagery, and 3) textural parameters such as Grey-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) variables from TerraSAR-X imagery. The additional height information from InSAR clearly improves the detecting of taller buildings surrounding the urban villages. In conclusion, the fusion of SAR and optical imagery can effectively reveal the footprint characteristics of urban villages. It is an effective means to reduce the effects of layover, shadow and dominant scattering at building location. The 3D building reconstruction model based on urban village footprint maps can reduce the continuous alteration of layover and shadow areas from high-rise buildings in the dense urban area.
HTS: A new shape descriptor based on Hough Transform

In this paper we propose a novel method for shape analysis called HTS (Hough Transform Statistics), which uses statistics from Hough Transform space in order to characterize the shape of objects in digital images. Experimental results showed that the HTS descriptor is robust and presents better accuracy than some traditional shape description methods. Furthermore, HTS algorithm has linear complexity, which is an important requirement for content based image retrieval from large databases.
Studies on the role of stimulated epidermal DNA synthesis in the initiation of skin tumors in mice by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

A single topical application of 0.5% croton oil to mouse skin stimulates epidermal DNA synthesis in the treated area to a maximum extent 18 to 20 hr after application. Initiation with N -methyl- N ′-nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) after croton oil pretreatment at the time of maximum epidermal DNA synthesis (18 hr) followed by promotion with croton oil caused a three- to fourfold increase in the subsequent tumor yield when compared to a group of mice pretreated with acetone. A study of the total binding of MNNG-3H to whole skin and epidermal DNA, RNA, and protein at various times after treatment showed no difference in the extent of binding between acetone- and croton oil-pretreated groups of mice. Hydrolysis of epidermal DNA from groups of mice pretreated with either acetone or croton oil and treated with MNNG-3H showed the same positions of methylation of DNA bases ( N -7-guanine, O -6-guanine, and N -3-adenine). There was no difference between the acetone- and croton oil-pretreated groups in the extent of methylation of these three DNA base positions. Binding of MNNG-3H to replicating and nonreplicating epidermal DNA was also studied and, in the case of the croton oil-pretreated group of mice, there was no significant difference between the binding to replicating and nonreplicating DNA. The effect of stimulated epidermal DNA synthesis of MNNG tumorigenesis in mouse skin could not be attributed to increased binding of MNNG-3H to skin DNA, RNA, or protein, nor could it be attributed to qualitative or quantitative differences in the methylation of epidermal DNA bases or to preferential binding of MNNG-3H to replicating epidermal DNA.
A fully implantable 96-channel neural data acquisition system

A fully implantable neural data acquisition system is a key component of a clinically viable brain–machine interface. This type of system must communicate with the outside world and obtain power without the use of wires that cross through the skin. We present a 96-channel fully implantable neural data acquisition system. This system performs spike detection and extraction within the body and wirelessly transmits data to an external unit. Power is supplied wirelessly through the use of inductively coupled coils. The system was implanted acutely in sheep and successfully recorded, processed and transmitted neural data. Bidirectional communication between the implanted system and an external unit was successful over a range of 2 m. The system is also shown to integrate well into a brain–machine interface. This demonstration of a high channel-count fully implanted neural data acquisition system is a critical step in the development of a clinically viable brain–machine interface.
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Activation Is Associated with Memory Formation for Predictable Rewards

During reinforcement learning, dopamine release shifts from the moment of reward consumption to the time point when the reward can be predicted. Previous studies provide consistent evidence that reward-predicting cues enhance long-term memory (LTM) formation of these items via dopaminergic projections to the ventral striatum. However, it is less clear whether memory for items that do not precede a reward but are directly associated with reward consumption is also facilitated. Here, we investigated this question in an fMRI paradigm in which LTM for reward-predicting and neutral cues was compared to LTM for items presented during consumption of reliably predictable as compared to less predictable rewards. We observed activation of the ventral striatum and enhanced memory formation during reward anticipation. During processing of less predictable as compared to reliably predictable rewards, the ventral striatum was activated as well, but items associated with less predictable outcomes were remembered worse than items associated with reliably predictable outcomes. Processing of reliably predictable rewards activated the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and vmPFC BOLD responses were associated with successful memory formation of these items. Taken together, these findings show that consumption of reliably predictable rewards facilitates LTM formation and is associated with activation of the vmPFC.
Special Section on Emerging Novel Enzyme Pathways in Drug Metabolism — Commentary Cytochrome P 450 and Non – Cytochrome P 450 Oxidative Metabolism : Contributions to the Pharmacokinetics , Safety , and Efficacy of Xenobiotics

The drug-metabolizing enzymes that contribute to the metabolism or bioactivation of a drug play a crucial role in defining the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties of that drug. Although the overall effect of the cytochrome P450 (P450) family of drug-metabolizing enzymes in this capacity cannot be understated, advancements in the field of non-P450–mediated metabolism have garnered increasing attention in recent years. This is perhaps a direct result of our ability to systematically avoid P450 liabilities by introducing chemical moieties that are not susceptible to P450 metabolism but, as a result, may introduce key pharmacophores for other drug-metabolizing enzymes. Furthermore, the effects of both P450 and non-P450 metabolism at a drug’s site of therapeutic action have also been subject to increased scrutiny. To this end, this Special Section on Emerging Novel Enzyme Pathways in Drug Metabolism will highlight a number of advancements that have recently been reported. The included articles support the important role of non-P450 enzymes in the clearance pathways of U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs over the past 10 years. Specific examples will detail recent reports of aldehyde oxidase, flavin-containing monooxygenase, and other non-P450 pathways that contribute to the metabolic, pharmacokinetic, or pharmacodynamic properties of xenobiotic compounds. Collectively, this series of articles provides additional support for the role of non-P450–mediated metabolic pathways that contribute to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties of current xenobiotics.
Identification of Residues in the BST-2 TM Domain Important for Antagonism by HIV-1 Vpu Using a Gain-of-Function Approach

The HIV-1 Vpu protein enhances the release of viral particles from the cell-surface in a cell-type specific manner. In the absence of Vpu, nascent virions remain tethered to the cell-surface in restricted cell-types. Recently, the human host factor BST-2/CD317/tetherin was found to be responsible for the inhibition of virus release. It was also reported that HIV-1 Vpu can target human BST-2 but is unable to interfere with the function of murine or simian BST-2. We performed a gain-of-function study to determine which of the differences between human and rhesus BST-2 account for the differential sensitivity to Vpu. We transferred human BST-2 sequences into rhesus BST-2 and assessed the resulting chimeras for inhibition of HIV-1 virus release and sensitivity to Vpu. We found that rhesus BST-2 carrying the transmembrane (TM) domain of human BST-2 is susceptible to HIV-1 Vpu. Finally, a single-amino-acid change in the rhesus BST-2 TM domain was sufficient to confer Vpu sensitivity.
Transcriptional activation of the IL‐6 gene in human contracting skeletal muscle: influence of muscle glycogen content

In humans, the plasma interleukin 6 (IL‐6) concentration increases dramatically during low‐intensity exercise. Measurements across the working limb indicate that skeletal muscle is the source of IL‐6 production. To determine whether energy availability influences the regulation of IL‐6 expression during prolonged exercise, six male subjects completed two trials consisting of 180 min of two‐legged dynamic knee extensor with either normal or low (~60% of control) pre‐exercise muscle glycogen levels. Increases in plasma IL‐6 during exercise were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the low‐glycogen (16‐fold) trial verses the control (10‐fold) trial. Transcriptional activation of the IL‐6 gene in skeletal muscle was also higher in the low‐glycogen trial; it increased by about 40‐fold after 90 min of exercise and about 60‐fold after 180 min of exercise. Muscle IL‐6 mRNA followed a similar but delayed pattern, increasing by more than 100‐fold in the low‐glycogen trial and by about 30‐fold in the control trial. These data demonstrate that exercise activates transcription of the IL‐6 gene in working skeletal muscle, a response that is dramatically enhanced when glycogen levels are low. These findings also support the hypothesis that IL‐6 may be produced by contracting myofibers when glycogen levels become critically low as a means of signaling the liver to increase glucose production.
Nanomaterials Immobilized Cellulolytic Enzymes and their Industrial Applications : A Literature Review

The immobilization of cellulolytic enzymes via nanosupport minimizes the problem of steric hindrances between enzyme and carrier, as it has been frequently observed in case of enzymes immobilized on the surface of bulk supports. Cellulolytic enzymes immobilized on the surface of nanomaterials or entrapped inside polymeric nanospheres showed high catalytic efficiency and yield of immobilization. Nanomaterials bound cellulolytic enzymes were found significantly more stable against heat, pH, storage, operational and several other kinds of denaturants. These immobilized enzyme preparations were found less inhibitory to their inhibitors and products. Immobilized enzymes retained remarkably high activity on repeated uses and the nanocarriers bound cellulolytic enzymes have demonstrated their potential in various fields such as in clarification of juices and wines, extraction of plant oils and coffee, bioconversion of agricultural waste, improving the digestibility of animal feed ingredients. A major application at present is the biodegradation or bioconversion of cellulose to monomeric sugars. Agricultural waste rich in lignocellulosic material has been utilized in the production of large number of industrial products like ethanol, organic acids and other industrially important chemical compounds. Cellobiases immobilized on nanocarriers have also proved their potential as therapeutic agents.