Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-View Budgeted Learning under Label and Feature Constraints Using Label-Guided Graph-Based Regularization

Budgeted learning under constraints on both the amount of labeled information and the availability of features at test time pertains to a large number of real world problems. Ideas from multi-view learning, semisupervised learning, and even active learning have applicability, but a common framework whose assumptions t these problem spaces is non-trivial to construct. We leverage ideas from these elds based on graph regularizers to construct a robust framework for learning from labeled and unlabeled samples in multiple views that are non-independent and include features that are inaccessible at the time the model would need to be applied. We describe examples of applications that t this scenario, and we provide experimental results to demonstrate the eectiveness of knowledge carryover from training-only views.
Exploring Image Virality in Google Plus

Reactions to posts in an online social network show different dynamics depending on several textual features of the corresponding content. Do similar dynamics exist when images are posted? Exploiting a novel dataset of posts, gathered from the most popular Google+ users, we try to give an answer to such a question. We describe several virality phenomena that emerge when taking into account visual characteristics of images (such as orientation, mean saturation, etc.). We also provide hypotheses and potential explanations for the dynamics behind them, and include cases for which common-sense expectations do not hold true in our experiments.
A novel thermo-sensitive hydrogel-based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/hyaluronic acid of ketoconazole for ophthalmic delivery

Abstract The aim of this study is to develop thermo-sensitive in situ gelling formulation of KCL based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/hyaluronic acid. The prepared preparations were characterized for in vitro gelation, drug release and antifungal activity. In this study, drug content of prepared gels was found to be in the range of 91–96%. The pH value was in the range of 6.0–7.5. By measuring the gelation temperature of the prepared PN-HA thermogelling solutions, it was 33 °C. In vitro release showed that the release of KCL from in situ gels was moderate without burst effects. The KCL PN-HA in situ gels were well-tolerated by the rabbits, and no macroscopic signs of irritation, redness, or other toxic effects were observed. From in vivo antimicrobial study, KCL PN-HA in situ gels may be concluded to have a better cure percent in clinical profile and negative growth of Candida albicans in microbiological test. Therefore, this new formulation could prove to be a novel ocular dosage form able to prolong the residence time and to control the release of drug when administered into the eye.
BER analysis of regularized least squares for BPSK recovery

This paper investigates the problem of recovering an n-dimensional BPSK signal x<inf>0</inf> ∈ {−1, 1}<sup>n</sup> from m-dimensional measurement vector y = Ax+z, where A and z are assumed to be Gaussian with iid entries. We consider two variants of decoders based on the regularized least squares followed by hard-thresholding: the case where the convex relaxation is from {−1, 1}<sup>n</sup> to ℝ<sup>n</sup> and the box constrained case where the relaxation is to [−1, 1]<sup>n</sup>. For both cases, we derive an exact expression of the bit error probability when n and m grow simultaneously large at a fixed ratio. For the box constrained case, we show that there exists a critical value of the SNR, above which the optimal regularizer is zero. On the other side, the regularization can further improve the performance of the box relaxation at low to moderate SNR regimes. We also prove that the optimal regularizer in the bit error rate sense for the unboxed case is nothing but the MMSE detector.
Transparent Dynamic Optimization: The Design and Implementation of Dynamo

dynamic optimization, compiler, trace selection, binary translation Dynamic optimization refers to the runtime optimization of a native program binary. This report describes the design and implementation of Dynamo, a prototype dynamic optimizer that is capable of optimizing a native program binary at runtime. Dynamo is a realistic implementation, not a simulation, that is written entirely in user-level software, and runs on a PA-RISC machine under the HPUX operating system. Dynamo does not depend on any special programming language, compiler, operating system or hardware support.
Joint Beamforming and Antenna Selection for Sum Rate Maximization in Cognitive Radio Networks

This letter studies joint transmit beamforming and antenna selection at a secondary base station (BS) with multiple primary users (PUs) in an underlay cognitive radio multiple-input single-output broadcast channel. The objective is to maximize the sum rate subject to the secondary BS transmit power, minimum required rates for secondary users, and PUs’ interference power constraints. The utility function of interest is nonconcave and the involved constraints are nonconvex, so this problem is hard to solve. Nevertheless, we propose a new iterative algorithm that finds local optima at the least. We use an inner approximation method to construct and solve a simple convex quadratic program of moderate dimension at each iteration of the proposed algorithm. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm converges quickly and outperforms existing approaches.
Getting Ahead of the Joneses: When Equality Increases Conspicuous Consumption Among Bottom-Tier Consumers

It is widely believed that increasing the equality of material possessions or income in a social group should lead people at the bottom of the distribution to consume less and save more. However, this prediction and its causal mechanism have never been studied experimentally. Five studies show that greater equality increases the satisfaction of those in the lowest tier of the distribution because it reduces the possession gap between what they have and what others have. However, greater equality also increases the position gains derived from status-enhancing consumption, since it allows low-tier consumers to get ahead of the higher proportion of consumers clustered in the middle tiers. As a result, greater equality reduces consumption when consumers focus on the narrower possession gap, but it increases consumption when they focus on the greater position gains (i.e., when consumption is conspicuous, social competition goals are primed, and the environment is competitive).
Prenatal development of retinal ganglion cell axons: segregation into eye-specific layers within the cat's lateral geniculate nucleus

The morphological changes in individual retinal ganglion cell axons associated with the formation of the eye-specific layers in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) were studied during the prenatal development of the cat's visual system. Previous work has shown that the pattern of segregated eye inputs found in the adult arises from an immature state in which inputs from the two eyes are intermixed within the nucleus (Shatz, 1983). Here, this developmental process is examined at its fundamental unit of connectivity--the individual retinal ganglion cell axon. To do so, an in vitro method was used to label fetal cat optic tract axons with HRP at various times during development between embryonic day 38 (E38) and postnatal day 2 (P2) (gestation = 65 d). The results presented here are based on reconstructions of 172 axons. During the initial period of intermixing (E38–43), axons are relatively simple in morphology. Many axons studied at the earliest ages (E38) end in growth cones and have very few branches along the main axon trunk as they traverse the nucleus. By E43, the number of side branches given off along the main axon trunk has increased and most axons also have a simple terminal arbor. Over the next 2 weeks (E43–55), the majority of axons are studded with side branches and the terminal arbor is well defined. Then, between E55 and birth, axons lose their side branches and the eye-specific layers appear. By birth, nearly all axons have a smooth trunk and an elaborate terminal arbor restricted to the LGN layer appropriate to the eye of axon origin. When the number of side branches per axon was quantified, the time course of appearance and subsequent loss of side branches was found to parallel the time course of the initial intermixing of inputs and subsequent reduction in territory shared by the two eyes as determined from previous intraocular injection experiments. Our results also showed that the side branches along each axon were located primarily within LGN territory destined to be occupied by the other eye. Thus, the side branches are likely to represent a morphological substrate for the intermixing of inputs from the two eyes. These observations suggest that the segregation of eye input to the LGN involves two fundamental and simultaneous events. One event is the remodeling of the branching pattern along the length of the main axon trunk so that the side branches present early on are eliminated and the main axon trunk becomes smooth. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Receiver technique for iterative estimation and cancellation of nonlinear distortion in MIMO SFBC-OFDM systems

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) can be combined to obtain a promising candidate for next generation wireless communications. However, like a single- input single output (SISO) systems one main disadvantage of MIMO-OFDM is high sensitivity to nonlinear distortion that results in significant loss in power efficiency and performance. In order to improve overall system performance this paper introduces a new iterative method for the detection of nonlinearly distorted symbols received by the receiver of the space-frequency block coded (SFBC) MIMO-OFDM transmission system. The proposed approach is based on the Bussgang theorem application and consists in iterative estimation and accurate cancellation of the nonlinear distortion due to the high power amplifier of the transmitter. The numerical performance evaluation shows that the proposed scheme can achieve significant performance improvement compared to conventional receivers.
Unexpected Mechanism of Symbiont-Induced Reversal of Insect Sex: Feminizing Wolbachia Continuously Acts on the Butterfly Eurema hecabe during Larval Development

ABSTRACT When the butterfly Eurema hecabe is infected with two different strains (wHecCI2 and wHecFem2) of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia, genetic males are transformed into functional females, resulting in production of all-female broods. In an attempt to understand how and when the Wolbachia endosymbiont feminizes genetically male insects, larval insects were fed an antibiotic-containing diet beginning at different developmental stages until pupation. When the adult insects emerged, strikingly, many of them exhibited sexually intermediate traits in their wings, reproductive organs, and genitalia. The expression of intersexual phenotypes was strong in the insects treated from first instar, moderate in the insects treated from third instar, and weak in the insects treated from fourth instar. The insects treated from early larval instar grew and pupated normally but frequently failed to emerge and died in the pupal case. The dead insects in the pupal case contained lower densities of the feminizing Wolbachia endosymbiont than the successfully emerged insects, although none of them were completely cured of the symbiont infection. These results suggest the following: (i) the antibiotic treatment suppressed the population of feminizing Wolbachia endosymbionts; (ii) the suppression probably resulted in attenuated feminizing activity of the symbiont, leading to expression of intersexual host traits; (iii) many of the insects suffered pupal mortality, possibly due to either intersexual defects or Wolbachia-mediated addiction; and hence (iv) the feminizing Wolbachia endosymbiont continuously acts on the host insects during larval development for expression of female phenotypes under a male genotype. Our finding may prompt reconsideration of the notion that Wolbachia-induced reproductive manipulations are already complete before the early embryonic stage and provide insights into the mechanism underlying the symbiont-induced reversal of insect sex.
Bone that best matches the properties of the mandible.

OBJECTIVE The main advantage of primary oromandibular reconstruction using free vascularized bone-containing flaps is improved oral function from (1) the maintenance of mandibular and soft tissue architecture and (2) dental rehabilitation through osseointegrated implants. Bone dimensions, volume, quality, and the ability of the bone to withstand masticatory forces are important factors in achieving successful osseointegration. Previous studies have objectively examined the dimensions of bones used in oromandibular reconstruction, but few have addressed their biomechanical properties. The purpose of this study was to compare the dimensional and biomechanical properties of the bones commonly used in oromandibular reconstruction with those of the mandible. METHODS Eleven formalin-fixed cadavers were used. The mandibles, fibulae, iliac crests, scapulae, clavicles, second metatarsals, radii, and anterior ribs were harvested. Measurements of the dimensions of the bones were made with calipers at multiple sites. Three-point break strength and screw pulling force tests were then performed on all of the bones. RESULTS The fibulae, iliac crests, and clavicles had dimensions that best matched those of the mandible. The three-point break strength and screw pulling force tests were consistently the highest for the mandibles and fibulae, followed by the clavicles, scapulae, iliac crests, metatarsals, radii, and ribs, in that order. CONCLUSIONS The fibula is the bone that best matches the properties of the mandible.
Escherichia coli Morphological Changes and Lipid A Removal Induced by Reduced Pressure Nitrogen Afterglow Exposure

Lipid A is a major hydrophobic component of lipopolysaccharides (endotoxin) present in the membrane of most Gram-negative bacteria, and the major responsible for the bioactivity and toxicity of the endotoxin. Previous studies have demonstrated that the late afterglow region of flowing post-discharges at reduced pressure (1-20 Torr) can be used for the sterilization of surfaces and of the reusable medical instrumentation. In the present paper, we show that the antibacterial activity of a pure nitrogen afterglow can essentially be attributed to the large concentrations of nitrogen atoms present in the treatment area and not to the UV radiation of the afterglow. In parallel, the time variation of the inactivation efficiency quantified by the log reduction of the initial Escherichia coli (E. coli) population is correlated with morphologic changes observed on the bacteria by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for increasing afterglow exposure times. The effect of the afterglow exposure is also studied on pure lipid A and on lipid A extracted from exposed E. coli bacteria. We report that more than 60% of lipid A (pure or bacteria-extracted) are lost with the used operating conditions (nitrogen flow QN2 = 1 standard liter per minute (slpm), pressure p = 5 Torr, microwave injected power PMW = 200 W, exposure time: 40 minutes). The afterglow exposure also results in a reduction of the lipid A proinflammatory activity, assessed by the net decrease of the redox-sensitive NFκB transcription factor nuclear translocation in murine aortic endothelial cells stimulated with control vs afterglow-treated (pure and extracted) lipid A. Altogether these results point out the ability of reduced pressure nitrogen afterglows to neutralize the cytotoxic components in Gram-negative bacteria.
Re-Classification of the Alleged Quasar Q0045-3337

We present a medium-resolution optical spectrum of the alleged high-redshift quasar Q0045-3337, taken at the ESO/3.6m telescope. Our observations show that the object is not a quasar but a star of spectral type B. We suggest that the object is either a white dwarf or a halo population Blue Horizontal Branch star.
Larval zebrafish rapidly sense the water flow of a predator's strike

Larval fishes have a remarkable ability to sense and evade the feeding strike of a predator fish with a rapid escape manoeuvre. Although the neuromuscular control of this behaviour is well studied, it is not clear what stimulus allows a larva to sense a predator. Here we show that this escape response is triggered by the water flow created during a predator's strike. Using a novel device, the impulse chamber, zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae were exposed to this accelerating flow with high repeatability. Larvae responded to this stimulus with an escape response having a latency (mode=13–15 ms) that was fast enough to respond to predators. This flow was detected by the lateral line system, which includes mechanosensory hair cells within the skin. Pharmacologically ablating these cells caused the escape response to diminish, but then recover as the hair cells regenerated. These findings demonstrate that the lateral line system plays a role in predator evasion at this vulnerable stage of growth in fishes.
GENETIC ALGORITHMS FOR PLANARIZATION PROBLEMS

− Two near-optimum planarization algorithms are presented. The algorithms belong to a general class of algorithms known as genetic algorithms because the search procedures on which they are based are inspired on the mechanics of natural selection and natural genetics. The first algorithm is intended to generate a near-maximal planar subgraph from a given graph and also provides the routing information needed to embed the subgraph on the plane. The second planarization algorithm studied finds a near-maximum independent set of a circle graph. This algorithm may be used for finding a routing on one layer from a set of n two-pin nets in a channel. After small modifications, it may also be used to predict the secondary structure of ribonucleic acids. The main advantage of both algorithms is that they are easily implemented in a parallel computer.
Analysis of T cell hybridomas. I. Characterization of H-2 and Igh- restricted monoclonal suppressor factors

Five hybridoma T cell lines were prepared by fusion of second order suppressor T cells (Ts2) with the BW5147 thymoma. The culture supernates from these T cell hybrids contained a factor, TsF2, which specifically suppressed 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl hapten (NP)- induced cutaneous sensitivity responses. TsF2 activity was observed when the factor was administered during the effector phases of the immune response. TsF2 bears I-J determinants and has binding specificity for NPb idiotypic determinants. TsF2 suppressor activity could be absorbed on antigen-primed H-2-incompatible T cells but cannot suppress H-2-incompatible mice. In addition to this H-2 restriction, which maps to the I-J subregion, monoclonal TsF2 also has an Igh genetic restriction. The present results are combined with previous data to describe the cellular interactions leading to immune suppression.
Hard examples for bounded depth frege

We prove exponential lower bounds on the size of a bounded depth Frege proof of a Tseitin graph-based contradiction, whenever the underlying graph is an expander. This is the first example of a contradiction, naturally formalized as a 3-CNF, that has no short bounded depth Frege proofs. Previously, lower bounds of this type were known only for the pigeonhole principle [18, 17], and for Tseitin contradictions based on complete graphs [19]. Our proof is a novel reduction of a Tseitin formula of an expander graph to the pigeonhole principle, in a manner resembling that done by Fu and Urquhart [19] for complete graphs.In the proof we introduce a general method for removing extension variables without significantly increasing the proof size, which may be interesting in its own right.
An ERM Maturity Model

In the recent years, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) has emerged as a new risk management technique aimed to manage the portfolio of risks that faces an organization in a integrated, enterprise-wide manner. Unlike traditional risk management, where individual risk categories are managed from a silo-based perspective, ERM involves an holistic view of risks allowing to take into account correlations across all risk classes. The academic literature on ERM is focused on two main aspects: the analysis of the factors that influence ERM adoption and its effects on firms performances. No studies have been conducted yet to propose robust and rigorous models to evaluate the quality, or maturity, of ERM programs implemented by firms. The aim of the research described in this paper is to fill this gap in the literature. In order to build a rigorous ERM maturity model, we have run an e-mail Delphi procedure involving a panel of worldwide experts on ERM and reached their consensus on the selection of a set of ERM best practice parameters, which are used to develop a structured questionnaire to be administered to firms. Experts consensus in obtained also on the scales and the scores for each questionnaire answer option. The output of the Delphi method is a scoring model that can be used to assess the maturity of an ERM program by administering a questionnaire composed of 22 closed-end questions to firms: answers are collected and scored, and all scores are combined in a single final score, the ERM Index (ERMi). The robustness of the model has finally been tested on a small sample of firms. We foresee two different uses of the ERMi maturity model, one by scholars for further quantitative research on ERM topics, and one by practitioners, as ERMi is suitable to be used by firms for a self-assessment of their ERM programs (internal use), and by consultancy firms, auditors and rating agencies (external use). The difference with other existing maturity models is its solid scientific base, the rigour with which it has been designed and the fact that it is derived from a Delphi procedure involving leading ERM experts who reached consensus on the model detailed design.
Influenza vaccines manufacturing in continuous cell lines: problems and solutions

In order to decrease the morbidity and mortality caused by seasonal influenza outbreaks, several hundred million vaccine doses are produced worldwide each year. The predominant substrate for the production of the influenza vaccine today is fertilized hen’s eggs. The substitution of the technology based on living organisms by the cell culture-based process offers many advantages, including easier scalability and reduced dependence on the availability of eggs. The African green monkey kidney and Madin Darby canine kidney cell lines support the efficient growth of influenza viruses of different subtypes and, therefore, are considered to be the two most promising alternative substrates for the production of the human influenza vaccine. However, the pH of endosomes in both of these cell lines is higher than the pH essential for triggering a conformational change of the hemagglutinin (HA) of human influenza viruses, which enables the viral-cellular membrane fusion. This mismatch gives rise to mutations in the HA that lead to an increase of the optimum pH of HA conformational change. As of a result of these mismatches, the HA, and consequently the whole virus, has reduced stability to low pH and elevated temperatures. The production of a vaccine from less stable virus will lead to an elevated HA content in the low pH conformation that can affect the safety, potency, infectivity, and protective efficacy of the final inactivated and live attenuated influenza vaccines. The main limitations of the cell line-based influenza vaccine technology and the possibilities to preserve the viral stability over the course of influenza vaccine production are discussed in the review.