Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Privacy in Quantum Computation

More and more quantum algorithms have been designed for solving problems in machine learning, database search and data analytics. An important problem then arises: how privacy can be protected when these algorithms are used on private data? For classical computing, the notion of differential privacy provides a very useful conceptual framework in which a great number of mechanisms that protect privacy by introducing certain noises into algorithms have been successfully developed. This paper defines a notion of differential privacy for quantum information processing. We carefully examine how the mechanisms using three important types of quantum noise, the amplitude/phase damping and depolarizing, can protect differential privacy. A composition theorem is proved that enables us to combine multiple privacy-preserving operations in quantum information processing.
Analytical Circuit Model for 1-D Periodic T-Shaped Corrugated Surfaces

An analytical circuit model is obtained to study the reflection of TM polarized electromagnetic waves that impinge obliquely on a 1-D periodic corrugated surface consisting of dielectric-loaded T-shaped planar corrugations backed by an infinite ground plane. The model is based on transmission line theory and equivalent lumped-element circuits. For the case of perfect conductors, the topology of the circuit is directly inferred from a rigorous full-wave formulation of the periodic problem without using any heuristic argument. This procedure leads to fully analytical expressions for all the circuit parameters. Ohmic losses are further incorporated in the model under the assumption of strong skin effect. The results thus obtained are compared with those given by an accurate Method of Moments numerical code and HFSS software showing a very good agreement. The strong numerical efficiency as well as the good physical insight provided by the present equivalent circuit model can be advantageously employed for the analysis and/or design of a variety of devices. As examples of the latter, the circuit model is used for the first-stage design of an electrically thin hard impedance surface, a corrugated surface that prevents specular reflection, and an absorber.
Alcohol and Hepatitis C

Background/Aims: Alcohol use and hepatitis C are prominent risk factors for liver injury and this review offers the current understanding of each factor’s effects on liver disease. Methods: A Medline database search was preformed for English articles with a focus on alcohol, hepatitis C and liver disease. Article citations were also considered for further applicable articles, and the strongest studies were included in our review. Results: Up to 60% of patients with hepatitis C have a past history of alcohol use. In patients with hepatitis C, chronic alcohol consumption of more than 5 drinks/day increases the rate of liver fibrosis, risk for cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and, possibly, death from liver disease. Numerous studies have further found that even moderate amounts of alcohol can be detrimental to hepatitis C patients. The prevalence of hepatitis C is higher in alcoholics with advanced liver disease than in alcoholics without liver disease. Also, recent alcohol use decreases the response rate to interferon treatment. Conclusions: Hepatitis C and alcohol use are often co-occurring risk factors for liver disease, and though their interaction is not clear, it is known that heavy drinking significantly promotes liver disease progression.
An adaptive type-2 fuzzy system for learning linguistic membership grades

Type-2 fuzzy sets allow for linguistic grades of membership. A type-2 fuzzy inferencing systems uses type-2 fuzzy sets to represent uncertainty in both the representation and inferencing. However, as with type-1 fuzzy systems there is still an issue with regard to the design of the appropriate membership functions. This paper presents a novel type-2 adaptive system for learning the membership grades of type-2 fuzzy sets. The paper reports on some results obtained from a type-2 system developed for car evaluation. The results lead us to believe that this approach offers the capability to allow linguistic descriptors to be learnt by an adaptive network.
Randomised controlled trials in perinatal medicine: 1. The need for studies of mortality and major morbidity with adequate power

Randomised trials are the most reliable method of comparing treatments and, when properly performed, provide highly persuasive evidence on which to base practice'. Unfortunately, most are too small to provide reliable estimates of effects on substantive measures of outcome such as mortality or major disability. This article, the first of three linked editorial commentaries, will discuss why simpler, more powerful trials are needed to assess the impact of treatment on outcomes such as mortality and major morbidity. The second will examine whether patients can participate in more than one trial concurrently, a key concern for all who contribute to randomised studies. The third will argue the need to measure long term outcomes in the fetus or baby.
Context Factors and the Performance of Mobile Individuals in Research Teams

We use survey data for 4336 scientific teams, located in 16 countries, where all members were working within a single lab, to test three context factors that potentially affect the capability of internationally mobile individuals to enhance the innovation performance of their research units. We formulate hypotheses on context factors rooted in the knowledge recombination and learningâ€ by hiring theories. The results show that three context factors are positively associated with international mobility and the performance of the research units: the degree to which knowledge in the relevant subfield of science is geographically concentrated, the creative intent of the activities performed and the decision power of the mobile individual.
The cognitive effects of interictal epileptiform EEG discharges and short nonconvulsive epileptic seizures

Purpose: Educational difficulties or even severe cognitive deterioration is seen in many childhood epilepsy syndromes. Many of those cognitive deficits are related directly to the brain disorder underlying the epilepsy syndrome. However, in other types of epilepsy, the epileptic seizures and/or epileptiform activity can be the dominant factor. This is especially unknown for the more “subtle” short nonconvulsive seizure types. For this reason, we analyzed a new cohort of children.
Fault Estimation Observer Design for Discrete-Time Takagi–Sugeno Fuzzy Systems Based on Piecewise Lyapunov Functions

This paper studies the problem of robust fault estimation (FE) observer design for discrete-time Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems via piecewise Lyapunov functions. Both the full-order FE observer (FFEO) and the reduced-order FE observer (RFEO) are presented. The objective of this paper is to establish a novel framework of the FE observer with less conservatism. First, under the multiconstrained design, an FFEO is proposed to achieve FE for discrete-time T-S fuzzy models. Then, using a specific coordinate transformation, an RFEO is constructed, which results in a new fault estimator to realize FE using current output information. Furthermore, by the piecewise Lyapunov function approach, less conservative results on both FFEO and RFEO are derived by introducing slack variables. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the advantages of the theoretic results that are obtained in this paper.
Blood velocity measurement in healthy and diseased carotid arteries by vector Doppler techniques

Vector Doppler (VD) methods are increasingly attractive for the capability of providing angle-independent blood velocity measurements. This may be particularly important in carotid artery peak systolic velocity (PSV) measurements, which are widely used for stenosis assessments. Here, two recently introduced VD techniques have been compared to the classic spectral Doppler approach through 37 PSV measurements in common carotid arteries (CCAs) and internal carotid arteries (ICAs) of healthy volunteers and of patients with different degrees of stenosis. The PSVs measured by the two VD techniques were very close to each other for both CCAs and ICAs (0.83 slope coefficient and 7 cm/s intercept value, according to the linear regression analysis). Comparing any of the two VD techniques to the classic method provided a (0.42÷0.46) regression coefficient with a (14÷20) cm/s intercept value. The high correlation obtained with the two VD techniques supports their suitability to perform accurate PSV measurements in carotid arteries.
Molecular dynamics simulation: a tool for exploration and discovery using simple models

Emergent phenomena share the fascinating property of not being obvious consequences of the design of the system in which they appear. This characteristic is no less relevant when attempting to simulate such phenomena, given that the outcome is not always a foregone conclusion. The present survey focuses on several simple model systems that exhibit surprisingly rich emergent behavior, all studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The examples are taken from the disparate fields of fluid dynamics, granular matter and supramolecular self-assembly. In studies of fluids modeled at the detailed microscopic level using discrete particles, the simulations demonstrate that complex hydrodynamic phenomena in rotating and convecting fluids—the Taylor–Couette and Rayleigh–Bénard instabilities—can not only be observed within the limited length and time scales accessible to MD, but even allow quantitative agreement to be achieved. Simulation of highly counter-intuitive segregation phenomena in granular mixtures, again using MD methods, but now augmented by forces producing damping and friction, leads to results that resemble experimentally observed axial and radial segregation in the case of a rotating cylinder and to a novel form of horizontal segregation in a vertically vibrated layer. Finally, when modeling self-assembly processes analogous to the formation of the polyhedral shells that package spherical viruses, simulation of suitably shaped particles reveals the ability to produce complete, error-free assembly and leads to the important general observation that reversible growth steps contribute to the high yield. While there are limitations to the MD approach, both computational and conceptual, the results offer a tantalizing hint of the kinds of phenomena that can be explored and what might be discovered when sufficient resources are brought to bear on a problem.
Alternative Methods To Summative, Online Assessments In Mathematics And Other Applications

Online, objective testing usually generates the notion of responses being scored with an “all or none” marking system; either the answer is correct or it is incorrect. In many cases, this marking system will score each correct answer with only one mark and otherwise with zero marks. Quite often, especially in the development of fundamental mathematics skills, this marking system seems reasonable. Objective questions have definite results, but obtaining those results can often involve multiple steps and therefore, such a marking system should not be considered. However, this now raises the issue of how to effectively mark questions in an online, objective assessment. Mathletics is an online learning and assessment tool that uses QuestionMark Perception to test students in mathematics. Much discussion has been made using Mathletics and the implementation of “mal-rules”, common errors students make when solving problems. Mal-rules help students to understand what errors they may have performed in solving problems and Mathletics can give additional feedback to show them how to correct such errors in the future. However, many problems still use the “all or none” marking scheme and thus, at least summatively, mal-rules do not serve much purpose. Also, mathematics is a widely-used, interdisciplinary subject and for each subject, different ideas need to be considered when designing questions, including the scenario to be explained. This paper discusses issues that occur in the evaluation of higher-level mathematics problems using online, objective testing. Different evaluation schemes are reviewed and alternative methods are used to denote what is to be considered a “correct” answer in a given problem. Possible applications for the use of such strategies are also noted, especially in consideration of current, educational theories.
Alzheimer's disease: a treatment in sight?

The concept of Alzheimer's disease as a treatable condi-tion has a short history but already some would claim that we stand on the threshold of a new age in dementia care with the prospect of specific treatments for cognitive deficits in sight. Whether the efficacy of these treatments can live up to such high expectations still remains to be seen.
Real Time Recognition of 2D Bar Codes in Complex Image Conditions

A real-time recognition method for two dimension (2D) bar codes based on image process is proposed in this paper, which is capable of identifying 2D bar code images in complex imaging conditions rapidly and accurately. Unlike methods that only recognize 2D bar code images in ideal conditions, this method does well in images that have high noise, such as highlight spots, non-heterogeneous lighting and low contradistinction, and it can deal with the distorted images that have skew angles. This method includes three steps. The first step detects the code region using the Otsu algorithm and the Least Square Method (LSM). The second method searches for the cut-off rules with a scanning approach. In the third step symbol characters are segmented from the original image. Experimental results show the accuracy and performance of this method are acceptable, especially the capability of dealing with noised images.
Does Exercise Training Play a Role in the Treatment of Essential Hypertension?

Endurance exercise training reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressures in approximately 75% of people who have essential hypertension; these reductions are approximately 10 mmHg for both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Exercise training at intensities of 40–70% VO2max appears to lower systolic blood pressure somewhat more and diastolic blood pressure to the same degree as higher-intensity training. Additional benefits of endurance exercise training on other risk factors for coronary heart disease make such training an efficacious intervention for people who have mild-to-moderate elevations in blood pressure.
Requirements of Cyc2p and the porin, Por1p, for ionic stability and mitochondrial integrity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

It was previously demonstrated that Cyc2p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a mitochondrial protein; that the cyc2-Delta2 deletion lacking the entire gene causes a diminution to only approximately 20% of the normal levels of cytochrome c due to a partial deficiency in mitochondrial import of apo-cytochrome c; that the deletion causes a defective mitochondrial function, as revealed by diminished growth on media containing nonfermentable carbon sources; and that this defect is exacerbated in hyper-ionic KCl media and at higher incubation temperatures, but is suppressed on media containing sorbitol, a nonionic compound. We report that por1-Delta strains lacking the mitochondrial porin, Por1p, but not por2-Delta strains lacking the related porin, share some phenotypes similar to the cyc2-Delta2 strain, including hypersensitivity to KCl in glycerol medium. Moreover, spontaneous swelling in the presence of ATP was detected in mitochondria from the cyc2-Delta2 strain, while swelling could be detected in mitochondria from the other strains only after the addition of KCl. Thus, highly unspecific membrane permeation may be triggered by ATP in the cyc2-Delta2 strain. We suggest that Por1p and Cyc2p, in addition to their own unique functions, serve to maintain the osmotic stability of mitochondria, but by different mechanisms.
The E2F‐1 transcription factor is negatively regulated by its interaction with the MDMX protein

Several proteins with important roles in oncogenesis have been shown to regulate the function of the E2F‐1 transcription factor, which is known to activate the expression of genes required for proliferation and apoptosis. Here we identify the MDMX oncoprotein as an E2F‐1‐binding factor, from a yeast‐two hybrid screen using a portion of the E2F‐1 protein as “bait. ” We demonstrate that the region within MDMX needed for the E2F‐1:MDMX interaction is located in the central part of the protein, C‐terminal of the p53‐binding domain. The region within E2F‐1 needed for this association is adjacent to the DNA binding domain. Further, when expressed in vivo or in vitro the MDMX protein migrates as two isoforms on SDS‐PAGE, the faster migrating isoform having the stronger affinity for the E2F‐1 proteins. It appears that this interaction reduces the ability of E2F‐1 to bind DNA. Expression of MDMX along with E2F‐1 and Dp‐1 in Saos2 cells reduces the ability of E2F‐1 to bind to its consensus DNA sequence, without altering E2F‐1 protein levels. These data indicate that the MDMX protein is capable of associating with E2F‐1 and negatively regulating its DNA binding ability. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
[The effect of HPV16E7 DNA vaccine transdermal delivery with microneedle array].

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of DNA vaccine transdermal delivery with microneedle array. METHODS The pcDNA3.1-HPV16E7 recombinant vector acting as gene vaccine was established. The infiltration quantity of pcDNA3.1-HPV16E7 getting across the microchannels generated by microneedle arrays in vitro was observed. 30 BALB/c mice were divided into 3 groups (experimental group, in vain plasmid group, negative control). Each group had 10 mice. Then immunized BALB/c mice with a dose of 200 microg with microneedle array every two weeks. The control groups did the same as that as the study groups. Two weeks after the third immunization, the serum and lymphocytes were separated to detect the functions of humoral immunity with indirect immunofluorescence test, while, the functions of cellular immunity with lymphocyte transformation test was also detected. RESULTS The DNA vaccine could easily get across the microchannels generated by microneedle arrays in vitro. Moreover, the course was permanent and the whole infiltration quantity was comparatively high, reaching 0.73819 mg/cm2 at the 30th hour. And among immunized BALB/c mouse, DNA vaccine transdermal delivery with microneedle array could induce specific antibodies. Lymphocyte transformation test showed that there was significant difference for the lymphocyte transformation rate between experiment (the average of lymphocyte transformation rate was 47.25%) and control group (the average of lymphocyte transformation rate was 30.00%) (chi2 = 12.903, P < 0.001). Also, the difference was found between in vain plasmid group (the average of lymphocyte transformation rate was 43.00%) and negative control(chi2 = 7.292, P = 0.007). While, no difference was observed in the experimental group and in vain plasmid group (chi2 = 0.817, P = 0.366). CONCLUSION The DNA vaccine combined administering with microneedle array might get across the microchannels generated by microneedle arrays in vitro and induce humoral and cellular immune response in vivo.
A simple algorithm for closed-loop transmit diversity with a low-data-rate feedback channel

We propose a simple algorithm called local search for controlling antenna weights in a closed-loop transmit diversity system. We show that when the bandwidth of the control feedback channel is limited, more antennas should be installed in the transmitter in spite of the reduction in number of bits for each antenna. We show by simulation that using one bit for each antenna maximizes the overall SNR. Furthermore, our proposed algorithm can outperform an existing one by more than 20% in terms of SNR in some situations.
Preface

M THAN 1.6 MILLION AMERICANS have been deployed for service in Afghanistan and Iraq. These conflicts have resulted in more than 4800 deaths and 32,000 injuries to our service members.1 Among these injuries, significant attention has been focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sensory loss (hearing and vision), and other combat-related conditions. Posttraumatic stress disorder has been a significant concern because of the extended and sometimes multiple tours that our service members take, coupled with repeated, in some respects constant, exposure to emotionally traumatic situations. According to internal Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center data, between January 2003 and the end of September 2008, 8470 individuals with TBI were seen across its network, with more than 1700 seen at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Of those who received injuries severe enough to warrant transfer to the level of care provided at Walter Reed, about 33% also suffered TBI. Overall, this incidence, though reflective of the majority of those in the moderate to severe range of TBI, does not represent all those who suffered TBI while deployed. This number is unknown because many may not have been properly evaluated or treated. The Army and Marine Corps have instituted screening for mild TBI in most service members returning home who may have sustained an injury during their deployment. The results of these screening efforts suggest that as many as 10% to 20% may have suffered a concussion (mild TBI) during the time they were deployed.2 This percentage is consistent with the 19.5% prevalence estimated in the Rand survey, which represents about 320,000 service members. While these rates are alarming to the general public, the majority of service members who suffer concussions will recover uneventfully. Nonetheless, they may have short-term consequences of their injury that may affect functioning or military readiness. It can be expected that some percentage of those with mild TBI will have symptoms that persist beyond
Prognostic and predictive biomarkers for hypoxic regions on breast cancer: advances and challenges

Hypoxia has been extensively studied in solid tumors mainly in breast cancers and it is commonly associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α is responsible for hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment and its molecular mechanisms as well as its therapeutic strategies have been described. However, a few investigations in the literature deal with its role in the hypoxic environment at diagnosis with the aim to guide therapeutic approaches. This study alerts researchers in pathology and oncology to the importance of assessing area extension as well as specific biomarkers, inasmuch as molecules reactive to hypoxia may indicate response to antiangiogenic therapy. The extension of hypoxic areas may alter the choice of therapeutic approach, insofar as some antiangiogenic treatments may considerably aggravate patient's clinical course since they create a hypoxic environment.
Automated Attacker Correlation for Malicious Code

Abstract : Correlating attacks can be specifically problematic in the digital domain. It is a common scenario that the only real "trace" of an attack that can be obtained is executable code. As such, executable code of malicious software forms one of the primary pieces of evidence that need to be examined in order to establish correlation between seemingly independent events/attacks. Due to the high technical sophistication required for building advanced and stealthy persistent backdoors ("rootkits"), it is quite common for code fragments to be re-used. A big obstacle to performing proper correlation between different executables is the high degree of variability which the compiler introduces when generating the final byte sequences. This paper presents the results of research on executable code comparison for attacker correlation. Instead of pursuing a byte-based approach, a structural approach is chosen. The result is a system that can identify code similarities in executables with accuracy that often exceeds that of a human analyst and at much higher speed.