Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Variable Elimination Approach for Optimal Scheduling with Linear Preferences

Abstract : In many practical scheduling problems, feasible solutions can be partially ordered according to differences between the temporal objects in each solution. Often these orderings can be computed from a compact value function that combines the local preference values of the temporal objects. However, in part because it is natural to view temporal domains as continuous, finding complete, preferred solutions to these problems is a challenging optimization task. Previous works achieve tractability by making restrictions on the model of temporal preferences, including limiting representations to binary and convex preferences. We propose an application of Bucket Elimination (BE) to solve problems with piecewise linear constraints on temporal preferences with continuous domains. The key technical hurdle is developing a tractable elimination function for such constraints. This proof of concept takes a step toward an ability to solve scheduling problems with richer models of preference than previously entertained. Further it provides a complementary approach to existing techniques for restricted models, because the complexity of BE, while exponential in the treewidth of the problem, is polynomial in its size.
The Power of Quantum Fourier Sampling

A line of work initiated by Terhal and DiVincenzo and Bremner, Jozsa, and Shepherd, shows that quantum computers can efficiently sample from probability distributions that cannot be exactly sampled efficiently on a classical computer, unless the PH collapses. Aaronson and Arkhipov take this further by considering a distribution that can be sampled efficiently by linear optical quantum computation, that under two feasible conjectures, cannot even be approximately sampled classically within bounded total variation distance, unless the PH collapses. In this work we use Quantum Fourier Sampling to construct a class of distributions that can be sampled by a quantum computer. We then argue that these distributions cannot be approximately sampled classically, unless the PH collapses, under variants of the Aaronson and Arkhipov conjectures. In particular, we show a general class of quantumly sampleable distributions each of which is based on an "Efficiently Specifiable" polynomial, for which a classical approximate sampler implies an average-case approximation. This class of polynomials contains the Permanent but also includes, for example, the Hamiltonian Cycle polynomial, and many other familiar #P-hard polynomials. Although our construction, unlike that proposed by Aaronson and Arkhipov, likely requires a universal quantum computer, we are able to use this additional power to weaken the conjectures needed to prove approximate sampling hardness results.
Calcite precipitation induced by bacteria and bacterially produced carbonic anhydrase

Wei Li, Li-Ping Liu, Peng-Peng Zhou, Long Cao, Long-Jiang Yu* and Shi-Yun Jiang Institute of Resource Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430074, PR China Department of Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University of Technology, Liuzhou 545006, PR China
Staphylococcus aureus infections.

5. Source: Nares, perineum, and any purulent lesion. Thirty to forty percent of the general population carries MSSA in their anterior nares and moist body areas; 1-3% carries MRSA in these same areas. 6. Transmission: Usually by contaminated hands, contact with infected or colonized site, or fomites; airborne droplet spread is rare. S. aureus is not commonly found in water, especially water that is adequately chlorinated.
Crystal structure of measles virus hemagglutinin provides insight into effective vaccines

Measles still remains a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Measles virus (MV) vaccines are highly successful, but the mechanism underlying their efficacy has been unclear. Here we report the crystal structure of the MV attachment protein, hemagglutinin, responsible for MV entry. The receptor-binding head domain exhibits a cubic-shaped β-propeller structure and forms a homodimer. N-linked sugars appear to mask the broad regions and cause the two molecules forming the dimer to tilt oppositely toward the horizontal plane. Accordingly, residues of the putative receptor-binding site, highly conserved among MV strains, are strategically positioned in the unshielded area of the protein. These conserved residues also serve as epitopes for neutralizing antibodies, ensuring the serological monotype, a basis for effective MV vaccines. Our findings suggest that sugar moieties in the MV hemagglutinin critically modulate virus–receptor interaction as well as antiviral antibody responses, differently from sugars of the HIV gp120, which allow for immune evasion.
Transcriptome Analysis of Female and Male Xiphophorus maculatus Jp 163 A

Background Xiphophorus models are important for melanoma, sex determination and differentiation, ovoviviparity and evolution. To gain a global view of the molecular mechanism(s) whereby gene expression may influence sexual dimorphism in Xiphophorus and to develop a database for future studies, we performed a large-scale transcriptome study. Methodology/Principal Findings The 454-FLX massively parallel DNA sequencing platform was employed to obtain 742,771 and 721,543 reads from 2 normalized cDNA libraries generated from whole adult female and male X. maculatus Jp 163 A, respectively. The reads assembled into 45,538 contigs (here, a "contig" is a set of contiguous sequences), of which, 11,918 shared homology to existing protein sequences. These numbers estimate that the contigs may cover 53% of the total number of Xiphophorus transcriptome. Putative translations were obtained for 11,918 cDNA contigs, of which, 3,049 amino acid sequences contain Pfam domains and 11,064 contigs encode secretory proteins. A total of 3,898 contigs were associated with 2,781 InterPro (IPR) entries and 5,411 contigs with 132 KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways. There were 10,446 contigs annotated with 69,778 gene ontology (GO) terms and the three corresponding organizing principles. Fifty-four potential sex differentially expressed genes have been identified from these contigs. Eight and nine of these contigs were confirmed by real-time PCR as female and male predominantly expressed genes respectively. Based on annotation results, 34 contigs were predicted to be differentially expressed in male and female and 17 of them were also confirmed by real-time PCR. Conclusions/Significance This is the first report of an annotated overview of the transcriptome of X. maculatus and identification of sex differentially expressed genes. These data will be of interest to researchers using the Xiphophorus model. This work also provides an archive for future studies in molecular mechanisms of sexual dimorphism and evolution, and can be used in comparative studies of other fish.
Predicting frequent asthma exacerbations using blood eosinophil count and other patient data routinely available in clinical practice

Purpose Acute, severe asthma exacerbations can be difficult to predict and thus prevent. Patients who have frequent exacerbations are of particular concern. Practical exacerbation predictors are needed for these patients in the primary-care setting. Patients and methods Medical records of 130,547 asthma patients aged 12–80 years from the UK Optimum Patient Care Research Database and Clinical Practice Research Datalink, 1990–2013, were examined for 1 year before (baseline) and 1 year after (outcome) their most recent blood eosinophil count. Baseline variables predictive (P<0.05) of exacerbation in the outcome year were compared between patients who had two or more exacerbations and those who had no exacerbation or only one exacerbation, using uni- and multivariable logistic regression models. Exacerbation was defined as asthma-related hospital attendance/admission (emergency or inpatient) or acute oral corticosteroid (OCS) course. Results Blood eosinophil count >400/µL (versus ≤400/µL) increased the likelihood of two or more exacerbations >1.4-fold (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39, 1.58); P<0.001). Variables that significantly increased the odds by up to 1.4-fold included increasing age (per year), female gender (versus male), being overweight or obese (versus normal body mass index), being a smoker (versus nonsmoker), having anxiety/depression, diabetes, eczema, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or rhinitis, and prescription for acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Compared with treatment at British Thoracic Society step 2 (daily controller ± reliever), treatment at step 0 (none) or 1 (as-needed reliever) increased the odds by 1.2- and 1.6-fold, respectively, and treatment at step 3, 4, or 5 increased the odds by 1.3-, 1.9-, or 3.1-fold, respectively (all P<0.05). Acute OCS use was the single best predictor of two or more exacerbations. Even one course increased the odds by more than threefold (OR: 3.75 [95% CI: 3.50, 4.01]; P<0.001), and three or more courses increased the odds by >25-fold (OR: 25.7 [95% CI: 23.9, 27.6]; P<0.001). Conclusion Blood eosinophil count and several other variables routinely available in patient records may be used to predict frequent asthma exacerbations.
Evaluation of effectiveness of subepithelial connective tissue graft in combination with coronally positioned flap in the treatment of isolated gingival recession in esthetic areas by using surgical microscope

Objectives: When maximum precision is required in performing periodontal surgery to satisfy particular esthetic demands, a surgical microscope that enhances complete visualization of the operative field may represent a useful tool. The aim of this case series was to assess clinical outcome of isolated gingival recession treated by using subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) in combination with coronally positioned flap (CPF) in esthetic areas by using surgical microscope. Study Design: A total of 3 cases of isolated gingival recession (Class I and II) located on mandibular incisors were treated by using SCTG in combination with CPF with the aid of a surgical microscope. Gingival recession, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and width of keratinized gingiva were recorded at baseline, before surgery and at 6 months following surgery. Results: Prior to surgery, there were 2 mm gingival recession (REC), 3 mm clinical attachment loss (CAL) with PPD of 1 mm in two cases while one case had 3 mm gingival recession, 4 mm clinical attachment loss with PPD of 1 mm. 6 months post surgery, 2 cases showed 2 mm reduction of gingival recession indicating 100% root coverage while one case showed 80% of root coverage (2 mm reduction of gingival recession). Conclusion: In the present case report, qualitative aesthetic evaluation of the treated cases showed better searing and marginal profile. This could be due to an atraumatic surgical approach and excellent visualization of the operative field by using surgical microscope. Microsurgery enhances normal vision through magnification and favorable lightening which would lead to an improvement in cosmetic results and patient comfort level.
Sleep Mode Analysis and Optimization With Minimal-Sized Power Gating Switch for Ultra-Low  ${V}_{\rm dd}$ Operation

This paper investigates the optimization of sleep mode energy consumption for ultra-low Vdd CMOS circuits, which is motivated by our findings that minimization of sleep mode energy holds great potential for reducing total energy consumption. We propose a unique approach of using a power gating switch (PGS) in ultra-low Vdd regimes. Unlike the conventional manner of using PGSs, our optimization suggests using minimal-sized PGSs with a slightly higher Vdd to compensate for voltage drop across the PGS. In SPICE simulations, this reduces total energy consumption by ~125× compared to conventional approaches. The effectiveness of the proposed optimization is also confirmed by measurements taken from an ultra-low power microprocessor. Additionally, the feasibility of using minimal PGSs in ultra-low Vdd regimes is investigated using SPICE simulations and silicon measurements.
Phase Evolution and Microwave Dielectric Properites in the Systems of (Mg1-xCax)2SiO4 Ceramics

In this paper, the microwave dielectric properties in the systems of nominal chemical composition (Mg1-xCax)2SiO4 (0≤x≤0.5)ceramics were investigated, together with their phase evolution. With the increase of x value, the major phase in the ceramic systems gradually changes from Mg2SiO4 to MgCaSiO4, besides with the some secondary phase of MgSiO3 and Ca2MgSi2O7, The relative dielectric constant in the systems of ceramics gradually increased from 6.8 to 8.7. The quality factor of value was well improved, and especially, the absolute value of the ceramic resonant frequency of temperature coefficients was optimized to reach zero, from -61 to +3 . The best optimum chemical composition was equal to 0.4, where the microwave dielectric properties was = 7.2, = 24,170 GHz, = +5 .
Changes in mitral regurgitation and left ventricular geometry during exercise affect exercise capacity in patients with systolic heart failure.

AIMS exercise may dramatically change the extent of functional mitral regurgitation (MR) and left ventricular (LV) geometry in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We hypothesized that dynamic changes in MR and LV geometry would affect exercise capacity. METHODS AND RESULTS this study included 30 CHF patients with functional MR who underwent symptom-limited bicycle exercise stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing for quantitative assessment of MR (effective regurgitant orifice; ERO), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). LV sphericity index was obtained from real-time three-dimensional echocardiograms. The patients were stratified into exercised-induced MR (EMR; n = 10, an increase in ERO by ≥13 mm(2)) or non-EMR (NEMR; n = 20, an increase in ERO by <13 mm(2)) group. At rest, no differences in LV volume and function, ERO, and PASP were found between the two groups. At peak exercise, PASP and sphericity index were significantly greater (all P < 0.01) in the EMR group. The EMR group revealed lower peak oxygen uptake (peak VO(2); P = 0.018) and greater minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope (VE/VCO(2) slope; P = 0.042) than the NEMR group. Peak VO(2) negatively correlated with changes in ERO (r = -0.628) and LV sphericity index (r = -0.437); meanwhile, VE/VCO(2) slope was well correlated with these changes (r = 0.414 and 0.364, respectively). A multivariate analysis identified that the change in ERO was the strongest predictor of peak VO(2) (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION dynamic changes in MR and LV geometry contributed to the limitation of exercise capacity in patients with CHF.
Facilitation of plateau potentials in turtle motoneurones by a pathway dependent on calcium and calmodulin

1 The involvement of intracellular calcium and calmodulin in the modulation of plateau potentials in motoneurones was investigated using intracellular recordings from a spinal cord slice preparation. 2 Chelation of intracellular calcium with BAPTA‐AM or inactivation of calmodulin with W‐7 or trifluoperazine reduced the amplitude of depolarization‐induced plateau potentials. Inactivation of calmodulin also inhibited facilitation of plateau potentials by activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors or muscarinic receptors. 3 In low‐sodium medium and in the presence of tetraethylammonium and tetrodotoxin, calcium action potentials evoked by depolarization were followed by a short hyperpolarization ascribed to the calcium‐activated non‐selective cationic current (ICAN) and by a dihydropyridine‐sensitive afterdepolarization. The amplitude of the afterdepolarization depended on the number of calcium spikes and was mediated by L‐type calcium channels. 4 The dihydropyridine‐sensitive afterdepolarization induced by calcium spikes was reduced by blockade of calmodulin. 5 It is proposed that plateau potentials in spinal motoneurones are facilitated by activation of a calcium‐calmodulin‐dependent pathway.
Service planning implications of estimating Primary Health Organisation enrolment rate based on a Health Service Utilisation population rather than a Census-derived population.

AIM Estimating Primary Health Organisation (PHO) enrolment rates with a census-derived estimated resident population denominator may provide misleading results because of numerator and denominator mismatch. This study uses the Health Service Utilisation (HSU) population denominator as an alternative. METHOD A HSU population was generated by record linkage of routinely collected datasets from the Ministry of Health via encrypted National Health Index (NHI). We compare PHO enrolment rates by age and ethnicity in Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) in 2013. RESULTS In CMDHB, 98% of people who had utilised publicly-funded health services in 2013 were enrolled in a PHO in 2013. Using the HSU population as a denominator, PHO enrolment rates for Maaori, Pacific, Asian, New Zealand European/Other population groups were 98.3%, 97.7%, 97.6%, and 98.3% respectively. Just under 4% of people discharged from CMDHB inpatient facilities were not enrolled in a PHO within a month from the day of discharge in 2013. CONCLUSION Using the HSU population as a proxy of health services need, PHO enrolment rates were similar across ethnicities in the CMDHB population. Support to improve PHO enrolment coverage would be more efficient if the HSU population were used to target people who are not yet enrolled in a PHO.
Model Checking and Random Competition - A Study Using the Model Checking Framework MIC

Using verification techniques to prove the correctness of systems is becoming more and more important. Especially in the domain of embedded and distributed systems, verification techniques are increasingly being used for quality assurance today. Model checking is a verification technique that allows the automatic verification of systems with a finite state space. Developers create a formal specification of the system and define properties that need to be satisfied by the system description. The model checking program then uses the state transition graph of the system to prove whether the specification fulfills the properties.
Ewing sarcoma of the oral cavity. A review

Objectives A review is made of the clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and survival characteristics of Ewing sarcoma (ES) of the oral cavity. Material and Methods A systematic literature search was carried out, with restrictions referred to time (1960-2014), language (English and Spanish) and type of study (case reports, letters, datasets, reviews). The following MeSH terms and boolean operators were used: Ewing AND Sarcoma AND [tongue, jaw, maxilla, cheek, condyle OR temporomandibular, floor AND mouth, gum OR gingiva, palate OR palatal, lip, uvula, head AND neck]. Results Seventy-one cases of ES of the oral cavity were documented from 53 articles. The main differences versus ES of other locations were a younger age at manifestation, a shorter time from symptoms onset to diagnosis, and swelling as the most frequent clinical manifestation versus swelling and pain in the rest of disease locations. The way in which ES manifests in the oral cavity is varied and comprises dental displacement (19.7%), dental mobility (7%), root reabsorption (5.6%), destruction of the dental follicle (4.2%), premature exfoliation (4.2%) and paresthesia of the chin (2.8%). Metastatic neck adenopathies appear in 11.3% of the cases. Significant differences in survival are observed between patients with a complete diagnosis of ES (hematoxylin-eosin staining, PAS positivity, CD99 positivity) and those with an incomplete diagnosis. Conclusions Ewing sarcoma of the oral cavity presents a series of specific features that distinguish it from ES of other locations. Key words:Primitive neuroectodermal tumor, PNET, Ewing sarcoma, Ewing tumor, sarcoma, oral cavity.
Video Streaming over MBMS: A System Design Approach

Recently, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) has been specified by 3GPP as a Release 6 feature in order to meet the increasing demands of multimedia download and streaming applications in mobile scenarios. H.264, as the unique recommended video codec for MBMS, serves as an essential component because of its high compression efficiency and easy network integration capability. In this study, we introduce and analyze the main system design parameters that influence the performance of the H.264 encoded video streaming over EGPRS and UMTS bearers. Effective design methodology including robustness against packet losses and efficient use of the scarce radio resources is presented. Care is taken on the processing power of mobiles, service delay constraints, and heterogeneous receiving conditions. Then, we investigate application of an advanced receiver concept, the so-called permeable layer receiver, in MBMS video broadcasting environments. Selected simulation results show the suitability of certain parameter selection as well as the benefits provided by the advanced receiver concept. Finally, a real-time test bed for MBMS called RealNeS-MBMS is presented. With this tool, a standard-compliant GERAN network can be simulated and the system design procedure including H.264 based video broadcast streaming can be evaluated in real-time.
Louisiana dentists' attitudes toward the dental Medicaid program.

PURPOSE This study was performed to determine factors associated with Louisiana dentists' participation in the Dental Medicaid Program. METHODS Surveys were mailed to all pediatric and general dentists as reported by the Louisiana State Board of Licensing. A second mailing was made to non-respondents. RESULTS Surveys from 956 of 1,926 dentists (50%) were returned. Of 607 general dentists and 40 pediatric dentists who treated dental Medicaid-enrolled children in the past year, 269 (44%) and 18 (45%), respectively, treated all Medicaid-enrolled children. Newly graduated dentists were more likely to be actively enrolled than their more established counterparts (chi 2 = 10.67; p = 0.01). Medicaid reimbursement levels were viewed as "much less" than private fees by 62%, "less" by 33% and "the same" by 4% of the respondents. Broken appointments were the most prevalent reported problem (80%), followed by low fees (61%), patient non-compliance (59%), unreasonable denial of payments (57%), slow payment (44%), and complicated paperwork (42%). With the exception of the perceived importance of Medicaid reimbursement levels, active and inactive general and pediatric dentists' perceptions of the importance of Medicaid issues were not significantly different. These findings indicated that significantly more Medicaid-active general dentists who allocated 10% of their office visits to Medicaid-eligible children felt that slow payment (p = 0.002) and complicated paperwork (p < 0.001) were more important problems than general dentists who allocated less time to Medicaid-eligible children. CONCLUSIONS Louisiana dentists' sources of dissatisfaction with Medicaid are similar to those of dentists in other states. Some of the issues are programmatic and are within the power of the dental Medicaid director and state legislature to address. Patient-related issues such as frequent broken appointments may be addressed by assigning case managers to Medicaid beneficiaries.