Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reference-Based Framework for Spatio-Temporal Trajectory Compression and Query Processing

The pervasiveness of GPS-enabled devices and wireless communication technologies results in massive trajectory data, incurring expensive cost for storage, transmission, and query processing. To relieve this problem, in this paper we propose a novel framework for compressing trajectory data, REST (Reference-based Spatio-temporal trajectory compression), by which a raw trajectory is represented by concatenation of a series of historical (sub-)trajectories (called reference trajectories) that form the compressed trajectory within a given spatio-temporal deviation threshold. In order to construct a reference trajectory set that can most benefit the subsequent compression, we propose three kinds of techniques to select reference trajectories wisely from a large dataset such that the resulting reference set is more compact yet covering most footprints of trajectories in the area of interest. To address the computational issue caused by the large number of combinations of reference trajectories that may exist for resembling a given trajectory, we propose efficient greedy algorithms that run in the blink of an eye and dynamic programming algorithms that can achieve the optimal compression ratio. Compared to existing work on trajectory compression, our framework has few assumptions about data such as moving within a road network or moving with constant direction and speed, and better compression performance with fairly small spatio-temporal loss. In addition, by indexing the reference trajectories directly with an in-memory R-tree and building connections to the raw trajectories with inverted index, we develop an extremely efficient algorithm that can answer spatio-temporal range queries over trajectories in their compressed form. Extensive experiments on a real taxi trajectory dataset demonstrate the superiority of our framework over existing representative approaches in terms of both compression ratio and efficiency.
Vector studies on Rift Valley Fever virus in South Africa.

SUMMARY Attempts to isolate Rift Valley fever virus from wild-caught haematophagous flies were made over an 8-year period in the coastal I·owlands of Natal, where the virus causes enzootic infection of cattle, and on infected farms in the inland plateau region of South Africa during epizootics in 1974/1975. In Natal the virus was not isolated from 71 561 mosquitoes, 10514 Culicoides spp. , or from fewer numbers of simuliid, phlebotomine and tabanid flies. On the plateau there were 12 isolations from Culex theileri and 6 from 3 other mosquito species. There were no iso­ lations from 12 368 Culicoides spp. , and smaller num­ bers of simuliids, tabanids and Stomoxys flies. In labo­ ratory transmission tests the virus was transmitted by 7 mosquito species: Cx. theileri, Cx. univittatus, Cx. quin­ quefasciatus, Aedes juppi, Ae. lineatopennis, Ae. aegypti and Eretmapodites quinquevittatus. Two mosquito species, Ae. caballus and Cx. rubinotus, became infected but failed to transmit by ! lite. Cx. theileri was shown to be the most efficient vector. The tick, Ornithodoros savignyi, failed to become infected or to transmit virus by bite. It is concluded that Cx. theileri is the main epizootic vector among sheep and cattle on the plateau, where it probably causes some human infection. In the same region Ae. juppi and Ae. lineatopennis are believed to act as vectors of lesser importance. Failure to isolate the virus from mosquitoes in enzootic foci in Natal is in accordance with previously observed low isolation rates from mosquitos in such localities. It is concluded that there is no definitive evidence to indicate that mosquitoes are concerned in viral maintenance.
Serum and Urinary Biomarkers of Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent clinical problem in critically ill patients and the associated mortality is high. Standard serum and urine biomarkers are insensitive and nonspecific for the detection of kidney injury in its early stages which limits the therapeutic options and may compromise the outcome. The study presents new candidates for biochemical markers of AKI, with potentially high sensitivity and specificity, causally related to its pathogenesis and development. Some of these biomarkers measured in serum or urine are well known in laboratory practice but have been used in other tests, while some novel biomarkers have been proposed as a result of experimental and clinical studies. In current clinical practice, identification and classification of AKI is based on elevations in serial serum creatinine concentrations, which are delayed and therefore unreliable in the acute setting. The most promising of the new serum AKI markers are cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and uric acid. Urinary AKI markers may be classified as enzymes released from damaged tubular cells (alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine aminopeptidase, isoenzymes of glutathione transferase, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase), low-molecular-weight proteins (α1-microglobulin, β2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, cystatin C) and proteins specifically produced in the kidney and associated with the development of AKI [cysteine-rich protein 61, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, kidney injury molecule 1, cytokines and chemokines (Gro-α, IL-18), and structural and functional proteins of renal tubules (F-actin, Na+/H+ exchange isoform 3)]. Based on the different expression of these markers, using a panel of serum and urine markers may potentially help to distinguish between various types of insults, establish the duration and severity of injury, predict the clinical outcome and help to monitor response to treatment in AKI.
An accessory sec locus of Streptococcus gordonii is required for export of the surface protein GspB and for normal levels of binding to human platelets

The translocation of proteins across the bacterial cell membrane is carried out by highly conserved components of the Sec system. Most bacterial species have a single copy of the genes encoding SecA and SecY, which are essential for viability. However, Streptococcus gordonii strain M99 encodes SecA and SecY homologues that are not required for viability or for the translocation of most exported proteins. The genes (secA2 and secY2) reside in a region of the chromosome required for the export of GspB, a 286 kDa cell wall‐anchored protein. Loss of GspB surface expression is associated with a significant reduction in the binding of M99 to human platelets, suggesting that it may be an adhesin. Genetic analyses indicate that M99 has a second, canonical SecA homologue that is essential for viability. At least two other Gram‐positive species, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, encode two sets of SecA and SecY homologues. One set is more similar to SecA and SecY of Escherichia coli, whereas the other set is more similar to SecA2 and SecY2 of strain M99. The conserved organization of genes in the secY2–secA2 loci suggests that, in each of these Gram‐positive species, SecA2 and SecY2 may constitute a specialized system for the transport of a very large serine‐rich repeat protein.
Semi-Parametric Estimation of Portfolio Large Losses

Although multi-asset portfolios are central in modern finance, the multivariate statistical estimation involved in portfolio selection and management is not an easy task. This article focuses on the problem of estimating the probability of multi-asset portfolio large losses. We present a semi-parametric Extreme Value Theory (EVT) estimator of the probability of multivariate large losses. This estimator has two significant advantages over other estimators. First, it does not impose a parametric family on the dependence between large losses. Second, it does not suffer from the curse of dimensionality. An empirical implementation illustrates its relevance for portfolio selection and management practice.
Allogeneic transplantation in the UK: an aggregation of marginal gains?

A number of advances in clinical practice that are considered routine in modern allogeneic transplant programmes lack definitive supporting evidence, partly because they may offer modest incremental benefits that are difficult to demonstrate in a statistically robust manner given the relatively small cohorts of patients who undergo such procedures. Nevertheless, these marginal gains probably contribute therapeutically meaningful overall benefit, particularly when aggregated. We review the evidence for a number of these practices in terms of impact on transplant outcomes, with particular reference to the setting of T cell depletion as widely practiced in the United Kingdom, including high resolution tissue typing, surveillance for and therapy of infectious complications, chimerism‐directed immune modulation and more sensitive monitoring for residual or progressive disease.
Initial reliability and validity of the childhood trauma interview: a new multidimensional measure of childhood interpersonal trauma.

OBJECTIVE The Childhood Trauma Interview, a new instrument for brief and comprehensive retrospective assessment of childhood interpersonal trauma, is presented with initial evidence of its reliability and validity. METHOD Drug- or alcohol-dependent patients (N = 220) were given the Childhood Trauma Interview and a questionnaire measure of child abuse, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Convergent and discriminant validity for the Childhood Trauma Interview were tested by comparing correlations between analogous and nonanalogous trauma scales to those of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. RESULTS Interrater reliability for the majority of trauma dimensions measured by the Childhood Trauma Interview was very high (63% had intraclass correlations above 0.90). Principal-components analysis yielded six rotated factors that accounted for 74% of the variance among scores: separations and losses, physical neglect, emotional abuse or assault, physical abuse or assault, witnessing violence, and sexual abuse or assault. Since these six factors exactly represented the areas that the interview was designed to assess, the construct validity of the Childhood Trauma Interview was supported. Without exception, convergent correlations were significantly higher than discriminant correlations, and convergence was improved when multidimensional variables from the Childhood Trauma Interview and their interactions were regressed onto Childhood Trauma Questionnaire scores. CONCLUSIONS These initial findings suggest that the Childhood Trauma Interview is a reliable and valid method for brief assessment of multiple dimensions of six types of childhood interpersonal trauma.
The effects of retinoic acid on human corneal stromal keratocytes cultured in vitro under serum-free conditions.

PURPOSE Retinoic acid (RA) is a metabolite of vitamin A that plays a fundamental role in the development and function of the human eye. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of RA on the phenotype of corneal stromal keratocytes maintained in vitro for extended periods under serum-free conditions. METHODS Keratocytes isolated from human corneas were cultured up to 21 days in serum-free media supplemented with RA or DMSO vehicle. The effects of RA and of its removal after treatment on cell proliferation and morphology were evaluated. In addition, the expression of keratocyte markers was quantified at the transcriptional and protein levels by quantitative PCR and immunoblotting or ELISA, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of RA on keratocyte migration were tested using scratch assays. RESULTS Keratocytes cultured with RA up to 10 × 10(-6) M showed enhanced proliferation and stratification, and reduced mobility. RA also promoted the expression of keratocyte-characteristic proteoglycans, such as keratocan, lumican, and decorin, and increased the amounts of collagen type-I in culture while significantly reducing the expression of matrix metalloproteases 1, 3, and 9. RA effects were reversible, and cell phenotype reverted to that of control after removal of RA from media. CONCLUSIONS Retinoic acid was shown to control the phenotype of human corneal keratocytes cultured in vitro by regulating cell behavior and extracellular matrix composition. These findings contribute to our understanding of corneal stromal biology in health and disease, and may prove useful in optimizing keratocyte cultures for applications in tissue engineering, cell biology, and medicine.
Clinical evaluation of Pharmacia CAP System™ RAST FEIA amoxicilloyl and benzylpenicilloyl in patients with penicillin allergy

Background: The diagnosis of IgE‐mediated immediate reactions to penicillins can be supported by in vivo or in vitro tests using classical benzylpenicillin determinants. The wide variety of β‐lactams and the description of new specificities requires a re‐evaluation of the different tests available. The objective was to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of Pharmacia CAP System™ RAST FEIA amoxicilloyl c6 (AXO) and benzylpenicilloyl c1 (BPO) in patients with a documented IgE‐mediated penicillin allergy.
A comparative study of blood alcohol concentrations in Australian night-time entertainment districts.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS There is little research describing how intoxication levels change throughout the night in entertainment districts. This research aims to describe levels of alcohol intoxication across multiple Australian metropolitan and regional nightlife districts. DESIGN AND METHODS This study was conducted in the night-time entertainment districts of three metropolitan cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Perth) and two regional cities (Wollongong and Geelong) in Australia. Data collection occurred approximately fortnightly in each city on a Friday or Saturday night between 8 pm and 5 am. Brief structured interviews (3-10 min) and breathalyser tests were undertaken in busy thoroughfares over six months. RESULTS Of the 7037 individuals approached to participate in the study, 6998 [61.8% male, mean age 24.89 years (standard deviation 6.37; range 18-73)] agreed to be interviewed. There was a linear increase in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels throughout the night. Post hoc testing revealed significantly more highly intoxicated participants (i.e. BAC above 0.10 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood) after midnight (P < 0.05). The overall mean BAC was 0.06 mg/100 mL. Men were more intoxicated than women earlier in the night, but gender differences disappeared by 3 am. There was no age differences in intoxication earlier in the night, but after midnight, patrons over the age of 21 showed increasing BAC levels. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS There is a consistent trend across the cities of high to very high levels of intoxication later in the night, with trends after midnight being significantly different to those before.
Male lower urinary tract symptoms: how do symptoms guide our choice of treatment?

Purpose of review Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) include voiding, storage, and postmicturition symptoms whereas in addition LUTS and sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent in aging men. The present article investigates how symptoms can guide our initial therapeutic approach to male LUTS and provides the recent data on the current treatment options. Recent findings Recent studies suggest that not all male LUTS are associated with prostate pathology and that bladder plays a role in the development of LUTS and especially in storage symptoms. In addition to the traditional drug classes including α-blockers and 5α-reductase inhibitors, there is an increasing flow of data on the use of anticholinergics and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Available studies provide high-level evidence on the efficacy and safety of these medical treatments. The upcoming data are beginning to shape new strategies for the initial management of male LUTS. Summary Male LUTS have a complex nature and there is an overlap of storage and voiding symptoms. Weighing of storage versus voiding symptoms is a decisive factor for the selection of medical treatment. In addition, assessment of specific voiding and prostate parameters and the status of patient's sexual function may guide our choice.
Resting‐state oscillatory dynamics in sensorimotor cortex in benign epilepsy with centro‐temporal spikes and typical brain development

Benign Epilepsy with Centro‐Temporal Spikes (BECTS) is a common childhood epilepsy associated with deficits in several neurocognitive domains. Neurophysiological studies in BECTS often focus on centro‐temporal spikes, but these correlate poorly with morphology and cognitive impairments. To better understand the neural profile of BECTS, we studied background brain oscillations, thought to be integrally involved in neural network communication, in sensorimotor areas. We used independent component analysis of temporally correlated sources on magnetoencephalography recordings to assess sensorimotor resting‐state network activity in BECTS patients and typically developing controls. We also investigated the variability of oscillatory characteristics within focal primary motor cortex (M1), localized with a separate finger abduction task. We hypothesized that background oscillations would differ between patients and controls in the sensorimotor network but not elsewhere, especially in the beta band (13–30 Hz) because of its role in network communication and motor processing. The results support our hypothesis: in the sensorimotor network, patients had a greater variability in oscillatory amplitude compared to controls, whereas there was no difference in the visual network. Network measures did not correlate with age. The coefficient of variation of resting M1 peak frequency correlated negatively with age in the beta band only, and was greater than average for a number of patients. Our results point toward a “disorganized” functional sensorimotor network in BECTS, supporting a neurodevelopmental delay in sensorimotor cortex. Our findings further suggest that investigating the variability of oscillatory peak frequency may be a useful tool to investigate deficits of disorganization in neurodevelopmental disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3935–3949, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stimulation of Mature Canine Intervertebral Disc by Growth Factors

Although the role of growth factors in the regulation of phenotype, maintenance, and repair of cartilaginous tissues has been extensively evaluated, the response of intervertebral disc to growth factors has not been investigated. A tissue culture system for anular, transitional, and nuclear regions of mature canine intervertebral disc was devised to assess the proliferatiye response, as determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation, and the bio-synthetic response, assayed by 35S-sulfate incorporation into proteoglycan, of these tissues to growth factors. The culture system achieved steady-state conditions in serum-free mediums at 4 days and was perturbed by plasma-derived equine serum, fetal calf serum, insulin-like growth factor-1, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor-β. Incorporation rates by the tissue regions of up to five times the control rate were recorded; the nucleus and transition zone responded more than anulus. Transforming growth factor-p and epidermal growth factor elicited greater responses than fibroblast growth factor; insulin-like growth factor-1 produced a marginally significant response in the nucleus and no response in the anulus and transition. The intervertebral disc appeared to respond to the growth factors differently than cartilage, and this may represent inherent differences in cell biology. The biologic significance and basis of these responses require further evaluation. However, the responses observed, particularly in the nucleus and transition zone suggest the possibility that disc repair can be modulated by growth factors. A therapeutic approach to degenerative disc disease involving enhanced tissue repair by exogenous growth factors would be of great clinical significance.
Deep-ESN: A Multiple Projection-encoding Hierarchical Reservoir Computing Framework

As an efficient recurrent neural network (RNN) model, reservoir computing (RC) models, such as Echo State Networks, have attracted widespread attention in the last decade. However, while they have had great success with time series data [1], [2], many time series have a multiscale structure, which a single-hidden-layer RC model may have difficulty capturing. In this paper, we propose a novel hierarchical reservoir computing framework we call Deep Echo State Networks (Deep-ESNs). The most distinctive feature of a Deep-ESN is its ability to deal with time series through hierarchical projections. Specifically, when an input time series is projected into the high-dimensional echo-state space of a reservoir, a subsequent encoding layer (e.g., a PCA, autoencoder, or a random projection) can project the echo-state representations into a lower-dimensional space. These low-dimensional representations can then be processed by another ESN. By using projection layers and encoding layers alternately in the hierarchical framework, a Deep-ESN can not only attenuate the effects of the collinearity problem in ESNs, but also fully take advantage of the temporal kernel property of ESNs to explore multiscale dynamics of time series. To fuse the multiscale representations obtained by each reservoir, we add connections from each encoding layer to the last output layer. Theoretical analyses prove that stability of a Deep-ESN is guaranteed by the echo state property (ESP), and the time complexity is equivalent to a conventional ESN. Experimental results on some artificial and real world time series demonstrate that Deep-ESNs can capture multiscale dynamics, and outperform both standard ESNs and previous hierarchical ESN-based models.
Dental biomaterials for chairside CAD/CAM: State of the art

The wide use of chairside CAD/CAM restorations has increased the diversity of the restorative material. For the practitioner, the selection of the appropriate material is difficult amongst the variety offered by the market. Information on the characteristics of the products can be difficult to assess due to the lack of up-to-date classification and the lack of reliability of manufacturer's advertising. The purpose of this article is to structure the data on restorative materials provided by various sources in order for the practitioner to choose the product most suited to the clinical situation. The objective is to classify chairside CAD/CAM materials and to define their characteristics and indications.
Transcriptional Profiling in the Adrenal Gland Reveals Circadian Regulation of Hormone Biosynthesis Genes and Nucleosome Assembly Genes

The master circadian pacemaker of the suprachiasmatic nuclei coordinates behavioral and physiological rhythms via synchronization of subordinate peripheral oscillators in the central nervous system and organs throughout the body. Among these organs, the adrenal glands hold a prime position because of their regulatory influence on numerous physiological functions via rhythmic secretion of catecholamines and corticoid hormones into the bloodstream. In this report, the authors perform whole genome microarray hybridization to characterize the circadian transcriptome of the murine adrenal. They show that ~5% of the mouse genome is under circadian control in this gland. Using gene ontology analysis, they identify classes of transcripts that may synchronize adrenal hormone production. The authors' expression profiling also revealed that multiple histone genes implicated in either DNA replication or transcriptional regulation are clock controlled, suggesting a novel way by which the circadian clock may regulate the chromatin state.