Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NeuralNDCG: Direct Optimisation of a Ranking Metric via Differentiable Relaxation of Sorting

Learning to Rank (LTR) algorithms are usually evaluated using Information Retrieval metrics like Normalised Discounted Cumulative Gain (NDCG) or Mean Average Precision. As these metrics rely on sorting predicted items' scores (and thus, on items' ranks), their derivatives are either undefined or zero everywhere. This makes them unsuitable for gradient-based optimisation, which is the usual method of learning appropriate scoring functions. Commonly used LTR loss functions are only loosely related to the evaluation metrics, causing a mismatch between the optimisation objective and the evaluation criterion. In this paper, we address this mismatch by proposing NeuralNDCG, a novel differentiable approximation to NDCG. Since NDCG relies on the non-differentiable sorting operator, we obtain NeuralNDCG by relaxing that operator using NeuralSort, a differentiable approximation of sorting. As a result, we obtain a new ranking loss function which is an arbitrarily accurate approximation to the evaluation metric, thus closing the gap between the training and the evaluation of LTR models. We introduce two variants of the proposed loss function. Finally, the empirical evaluation shows that our proposed method outperforms previous work aimed at direct optimisation of NDCG and is competitive with the state-of-the-art methods.
Tracking the Source of Solar Type II Bursts through Comparisons of Simulations and Radio Data

The most intense solar energetic particle events are produced by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) accompanied by intense type II radio bursts below 15 MHz. Understanding where these type II bursts are generated relative to an erupting CME would reveal important details of particle acceleration near the Sun, but the emission cannot be imaged on Earth due to distortion from its ionosphere. Here, a technique is introduced to identify the likely source location of the emission by comparing the dynamic spectrum observed from a single spacecraft against synthetic spectra made from hypothesized emitting regions within a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulation of the recreated CME. The radio-loud 2005 May 13 CME was chosen as a test case, with Wind/WAVES radio data being used to frame the inverse problem of finding the most likely progression of burst locations. An MHD recreation is used to create synthetic spectra for various hypothesized burst locations. A framework is developed to score these synthetic spectra by their similarity to the type II frequency profile derived from the Wind/WAVES data. Simulated areas with 4× enhanced entropy and elevated de Hoffmann–Teller velocities are found to produce synthetic spectra similar to spacecraft observations. A geometrical analysis suggests the eastern edge of the entropy-derived shock around (−30°, 0°) was emitting in the first hour of the event before falling off, and the western/southwestern edge of the shock centered around (6°, −12°) was a dominant area of radio emission for the 2 hr of simulation data out to 20 solar radii.
A novel representation of an integrated correlator in ${\cal N}=4$ SYM theory

An integrated correlator of four superconformal stress-tensor primaries of N = 4 supersymmetric SU(N) Yang–Mills theory (SYM), originally obtained by localisation, is re-expressed as a twodimensional lattice sum that is manifestly invariant under SL(2,Z) S-duality. This expression is shown to satisfy a novel Laplace equation in the complex coupling constant τ that relates the SU(N) integrated correlator to those of the SU(N + 1) and SU(N − 1) theories. The lattice sum is shown to precisely reproduce known perturbative and non-perturbative properties of N = 4 SYM for any finite N , as well as extending previously conjectured properties of the large-N expansion.
A Broadband Signal Recycling Scheme for Approaching the Quantum Limit from Optical Losses

Quantum noise limits the sensitivity of laser interferometric gravitational-wave detectors. Given the state-of-the-art optics, the optical losses define the lower bound of the best possible quantum-limited detector sensitivity. In this work, we come up with a broadband signal recycling scheme which gives a potential solution to approaching this lower bound by converting the signal recycling cavity to be a broadband signal amplifier using an active optomechanical filter. We will show the difference and advantage of such a scheme compared with the previous white light cavity scheme using the optomechanical filter in [Phys.Rev.Lett.115. 211104 (2015)]. The drawback is that the new scheme is more susceptible to the thermal noise of the mechanical oscillator.
Evaluation of existing guidelines for their adequacy for the molecular characterisation and environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants obtained through synthetic biology

Abstract Synthetic Biology (SynBio) is an interdisciplinary field at the interface of engineering and biology aiming to develop new biological systems and impart new functions to living cells. EFSA has been asked by the European Commission to evaluate SynBio developments in agri‐food with the aim of identifying the adequacy of existing guidelines for risk assessment and determine if updated guidance is needed. The scope of this opinion covers the molecular characterisation and environmental risk assessment of such genetically modified plants obtained through SynBio, meant to be for cultivation or food and feed purposes. The previous work on SynBio by the non‐food scientific Committees (2014, 2015) was used and complemented with the output of a horizon scanning exercise, which was commissioned by the EFSA to identify the most realistic and forthcoming SynBio cases of relevance to this remit. The horizon scan did not identify other sectors/advances in addition to the six SynBio categories previously identified by the non‐food scientific committees of the European Commission. The exercise did show that plant SynBio products reaching the market in the near future (next decade) are likely to apply SynBio approaches to their development using existing genetic modification and genome editing technologies. In addition, three hypothetical SynBio case studies were selected by the working group of the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), to further support the scoping exercise of this Scientific Opinion. Using the selected cases, the GMO Panel concludes that the requirements of the EU regulatory framework and existing EFSA guidelines are adequate for the risk assessment of SynBio products to be developed in the next 10 years, although specific requirements may not apply to all products. The GMO Panel acknowledges that as SynBio developments evolve, a need may exist to adjust the guidelines to ensure they are adequate and sufficient.
When Echinococcus granulosus transmigrates from the liver into the pericardium: a case report

Abstract Infection with Echinococcus granulosus is a common helminthic disease worldwide with endemic in a region with high endemic areas in Africa, Asia, Middle East, South America and southern Europe. We report a rare case of a young patient with cystic echinococcal disease of the liver invading the pericardium. The patient initially presented with life-threatening cardiac tamponade, which resulted in the discovery of the underlying parasitic disease. He successfully underwent en-bloc hepatic pericystectomy and pericardiac resection with closure of the pericardial defect using a xenogeneic patch. After this procedure, he recovered well and had no cardiac complications in the long term. Under treatment with albendazol, the patient showed no signs of recurrent disease. Cases of complex cystic echinococcosis, which invade adjacent organs or body cavities, often need radical surgery for definitive treatment embedded in a multidisciplinary approach in highly specialized centers.
The influence of substrate topography on ion bombardment in plasma etching

The reactive ion etching of small features in a planar substrate produces a wide range of profiles which depend on many factors. Of underlying importance is the energetic positive ion flux incident on any substrate exposed to the plasma. Therefore, the nature of this directed ion flux is of interest when trying to understand the microscopic nature of dry etching where ion‐enhanced surface chemistry and physical sputtering contribute to the etching performance. This paper uses a simple model to examine the influence of the local electric fields at the substrate on ion trajectories. It is found that the presence of trenches in the substrate distorts the local electric field, and the nature of this field is such that positive ions arriving normal to the substrate surface are deflected towards the sidewalls of the trench. The deflection is largest for those ions arriving near the trench sidewalls, the magnitude of which is calculated to be a few degrees. From the results of this investigation a new technique .
Purulent pericarditis-induced intracardiac perforation and infective endocarditis due to Parvimonas micra: a case report

Abstract Background Purulent pericarditis, a rare disease with a high associated mortality rate in patients without adequate treatment, can cause serious complications, such as perforation of the surrounding tissue and organs. Parvimonas micra is a very rare cause of purulent pericarditis. Case summary A 70-year-old male patient presented to our emergency room with chest pain of 10 days’ duration. An electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation and PR-segment depression on multiple leads. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed normal left ventricular function and a large amount of pericardial effusion. Acute pericarditis was diagnosed, and anti-inflammatory drug therapy was initiated. Due to the lack of improvement in the symptoms, pericardiocentesis was performed on Day 8 and revealed about 800 cc of the bloody fluid. Parvimonas micra was detected in a culture of the pericardial effusion and blood. Although intravenous antibiotic therapy was initiated for purulent pericarditis, his fever persisted. Computed tomography of the chest performed on Day 14 showed an abscess cavity in the pericardial space around the right atrium (RA). Furthermore, transoesophageal echocardiography revealed vegetation in the RA. Emergency surgery confirmed the presence of vegetation and minor perforation of the RA with communication to the abscess cavity. After surgical therapy, the patient clinically improved and was discharged on Day 51. Discussion In cases of acute pericarditis, purulent pericarditis should be considered if clinical improvement is not observed after initial treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. Once the diagnosis of purulent pericarditis is made, aggressive source control is necessary for improved clinical outcomes.
Determination of degradation products in tributyl phosphate using 31P Fourier transform NMR spectrometry

Dibutyl phosphate (DBP) in tributyl phosphate (TBP) was determined by 31P FT-NMR. Adoption of gated 1H decoupling and pyridine as a solvent provided good peak separation. With a 120-s pulse waiting time to achieve sufficient relaxation of the system, dibutyl phosphate contents could be determined directly from peak-area ratios with a 2% error for 20 accumulation times (1DBP/TBP0.05) or a 10% error for 1000 accumulation times (0.05>DBP/TBP8×10–4).
Fluidized Bed Generation of Stable Silica Nanoparticle Aerosols

A long-lasting generator of continuous silica nanoparticle aerosols based in a fluidized bed of glass beads coated with nanosized silica has been developed. The attrition resulting from the bubbling fluidized bed regime progressively detaches the silica coating from the glass beads, giving rise to a steady production of silica nanosized aerosols with median diameters from 100 to 250 nm depending on the initial size of the coating nanoparticles. Continuous aerosol production could be maintained for more than 12 h, and the nanoparticle concentration can be easily tuned in the range of 2000 to 14,000 #/cm3 by adjusting the fluidization and/or dilution flow rates. Copyright 2013 American Association for Aerosol Research
The omentum in the surgical treatment of recurrent ischemic stroke

is is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. ©2020 Published by Scientific Scholar on behalf of Surgical Neurology International Editorial
The interaction of iron‐stress response and root nodules in iron efficient and inefficient soybeans

Abstract Both nitrogen fixation and Fe‐deficiency stress response are chemically reducing processes. Theoretically either system could enhance the activity of the other. The objective of this study was to determine the interaction of low concentrations of iron and established root nodules on nitrogen fixation in Fe efficient and inefficient soybeans. Nodulated, Fe stressed A7 soybeans (Fe‐efficient) produced an enhanced Fe‐stress response (increased production of H+ ions and reductant at the roots) compared to similarly stressed non‐nodulated plants. The Fe‐inefficient T203 soybean exhibited its standard lack of Fe‐stress response without nodules, but the nodulated T203 actually produced an Fe‐stress response which resulted in less chlorosis.
Transgenerational effect alters the interspecific competition between two dominant species in a temperate steppe

Abstract One of the key aims of global change studies is to predict more accurately how plant community composition responds to future environmental changes. Although interspecific relationship is one of the most important forces structuring plant communities, it remains a challenge to integrate long‐term consequences at the plant community level. As an increasing number of studies have shown that maternal environment affects offspring phenotypic plasticity as a response to global environment change through transgenerational effects, we speculated that the transgenerational effect would influence offspring competitive relationships. We conducted a 10‐year field experiment and a greenhouse experiment in a temperate grassland in an Inner Mongolian grassland to examine the effects of maternal and immediate nitrogen addition (N) and increased precipitation (Pr) on offspring growth and the interspecific relationship between the two dominant species, Stipa krylovii and Artemisia frigida. According to our results, Stipa kryloii suppressed A. frigida growth and population development when they grew in mixture, although immediate N and Pr stimulated S. kryloii and A. frigida growth simultaneously. Maternal N and Pr declined S. krylovii dominance and decreased A. frigida competitive suppression to some extent. The transgenerational effect should further facilitate the coexistence of the two species under scenarios of increased nitrogen input and precipitation. If we predicted these species' interspecific relationships based only on immediate environmental effects, we would overestimate S. krylovii's competitive advantage and population development, and underestimate competitive outcome and population development of A. frigida. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the transgenerational effect of maternal environment on offspring interspecific competition must be considered when evaluating population dynamics and community composition under the global change scenario.
Invasive Impatiens glandulifera: A driver of changes in native vegetation?

Abstract Biological invasions are one of the major threats to biodiversity worldwide and contribute to changing community patterns and ecosystem processes. However, it is often not obvious whether an invader is the “driver” causing ecosystem changes or a “passenger” which is facilitated by previous ecosystem changes. Causality of the impact can be demonstrated by experimental removal of the invader or introduction into a native community. Using such an experimental approach, we tested whether the impact of the invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera on native vegetation is causal, and whether the impact is habitat‐dependent. We conducted a field study comparing invaded and uninvaded plots with plots from which I. glandulifera was removed and plots where I. glandulifera was planted within two riparian habitats, alder forests and meadows. A negative impact of planting I. glandulifera and a concurrent positive effect of removal on the native vegetation indicated a causal effect of I. glandulifera on total native biomass and growth of Urtica dioica. Species α‐diversity and composition were not affected by I. glandulifera manipulations. Thus, I. glandulifera had a causal but low effect on the native vegetation. The impact depended slightly on habitat as only the effect of I. glandulifera planting on total biomass was slightly stronger in alder forests than meadows. We suggest that I. glandulifera is a “back‐seat driver” of changes, which is facilitated by previous ecosystem changes but is also a driver of further changes. Small restrictions of growth of the planted I. glandulifera and general association of I. glandulifera with disturbances indicate characteristics of a back‐seat driver. For management of I. glandulifera populations, this requires habitat restoration along with removal of the invader.
Nonionic Surfactant-Enhanced Solubilization and Recovery of Organic Contaminants from within Cationic Surfactant-Enhanced Sorbent Zones. 1. Experiments

Recent studies have shown that cationic surfactants can be used to increase the organic carbon content of aquifer materials, creating enhanced sorbent zones for hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) migrating in groundwater. The coupling of nonionic surfactant-enhanced solubilization of HOCs to the cationic surfactant-enhanced sorption zone concept is examined as a possible groundwater remediation scheme. The partitioning behavior of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) and Igepal CO 730 (CO 730, a nonionic surfactant), both singly and jointly, were determined in batch hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA, a cationic surfactant) chloride-modified aquifer material/water systems. The apparent CO 730 critical micelle concentration (cmc) was found to decrease by a factor of 17 due to nonideal mixed micelle formation in the presence of low aqueous phase HDTMA concentrations that resulted from exposure to HDTMA-modified aquifer material. A greater portion of CO 730 will be present in the micellar psuedophase (the HOC so.
Intensive Care Admission and Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Cross-sectional Survey of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine

Background: No specific recommendations are available regarding the intensive care management of critically ill acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients, and questions remain regarding optimal ventilatory, hemodynamic, and general intensive care unit (ICU) therapeutic targets in this population. We performed an international survey to investigate ICU admission criteria and management of AIS patients. Methods: An electronic questionnaire including 25 items divided into 3 sections was available on the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine Web site between November 1, 2019 and March 30, 2020 and advertised through the neurointensive care (NIC) section newsletter. This survey was emailed directly to the NIC members and was endorsed by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Results: There were 214 respondents from 198 centers, with response rate of 16.5% of total membership (214/1296). In most centers (67%), the number of AIS patients admitted to respondents’ hospitals in 2019 was between 100 and 300, and, among them, fewer than 50 required ICU admission per hospital. The most widely accepted indication for ICU admission criteria was a requirement for intubation and mechanical ventilation. A standard protocol for arterial blood pressure (ABP) management was utilized by 88 (58%) of the respondents. For patients eligible for intravenous thrombolysis, the most common ABP target was <185/110 mm Hg (n=77 [51%]), whereas for patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy it was ≤160/90 mm Hg (n=79 [54%]). The preferred drug for reducing ABP was labetalol (n=84 [55.6%]). Other frequently used therapeutic targets included: blood glucose 140 to 180 mg/dL (n=65 [43%]) maintained with intravenous insulin infusion in most institutions (n=110 [72.4%]); enteral feeding initiated within 2 to 3 days from stroke onset (n=142 [93.4%]); oxygen saturation (SpO2) >95% (n=80 [53%]), and tidal volume 6 to 8 mL/kg of predicted body weight (n=135 [89%]). Conclusions: The ICU management of AIS, including therapeutic targets and clinical practice strategies, importantly varies between centers. Our findings may be helpful to define future studies and create a research agenda regarding the ICU therapeutic targets for AIS patients.
Congenital melanocytic naevi: An up‐to‐date overview

Congenital melanocytic naevi are hamartomas of the neuroectoderm caused by genetic mosaicism. Congenital melanocytic naevi are seen in 1‐6% of all live births and commonly classified based on the projected size in adults. Congenital melanocytic naevi appear in different colours, shapes, and sizes, and occasionally present with complications. In this review, we sought to evaluate congenital melanocytic naevi, their clinical, dermatoscopic, and reflectance confocal microscopic features, behavioural pattern over time, new trends in classification, underlying genetic factors and their influence on clinical manifestations and management, associated risks, complications, magnetic resonance imaging findings and their management in the light of recent literature.
Leader-Following Event-Triggered Adaptive Practical Consensus of Multiple Rigid Spacecraft Systems Over Jointly Connected Networks

In this article, we study the leader-following practical attitude consensus problem of a group of multiple uncertain rigid spacecraft systems over jointly connected networks by a distributed event-triggered control law. We first establish a lemma that allows the problem to be converted to a distributed practical stabilization problem of a well-defined uncertain dynamical system. Then, we combine the adaptive distributed observer technique and the adaptive control technique to design an event-triggered adaptive control law and an event-triggered mechanism to solve our problem. The effectiveness of our design is illustrated by a numerical example.