Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning Personalized Preference of Strong and Weak Ties for Social Recommendation

Recent years have seen a surge of research on social recommendation techniques for improving recommender systems due to the growing influence of social networks to our daily life. The intuition of social recommendation is that users tend to show affinities with items favored by their social ties due to social influence. Despite the extensive studies, no existing work has attempted to distinguish and learn the personalized preferences between strong and weak ties, two important terms widely used in social sciences, for each individual in social recommendation. In this paper, we first highlight the importance of different types of ties in social relations originated from social sciences, and then propose anovel social recommendation method based on a new Probabilistic Matrix Factorization model that incorporates the distinction of strong and weak ties for improving recommendation performance. The proposed method is capable of simultaneously classifying different types of social ties in a social network w.r. t. optimal recommendation accuracy, and learning a personalized tie type preference for each user in addition to other parameters. We conduct extensive experiments on four real-world datasets by comparing our method with state-of-the-art approaches, and find encouraging results that validate the efficacy of the proposed method in exploiting the personalized preferences of strong and weak ties for social recommendation.
Drop-Down Democracy: Internet Portal Design Influences Voters' Search Strategies

In this study we report how different interfaces for searching the internet changed the strategies and information opportunities of voters as they searched for political information. A drop-down interface that helped users define specific queries was compared to a traditional typed- query interface. The drop-down interface resulted in a broader set of information opportunities. Voters using the drop-down interface relied less on candidate websites, visited a broader sampling of website types, and examined issues more closely. Portal design heavily influences search strategies and information opportunities.
Low‐dose continuous oral melphalan for the treatment of primary systemic (AL) amyloidosis

Summary. Median survival of patients with AL amyloidosis with clinically significant cardiac involvement is 5 months when treated with cyclic melphalan and prednisone. We investigated a regimen of continuous oral melphalan as a single agent for patients with cardiac amyloidosis who were unable to tolerate prednisone or more aggressive chemotherapy. Thirty patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy were treated with continuous oral melphalan. Seven of 13 patients, evaluable after 3–4 months of treatment, achieved a partial haematological response and three achieved a complete haematological response; six patients have survived for > 1 year. This regimen appeared to be effective in inducing haematological responses in patients who received total doses of melphalan > 300 mg.
Interactive games in the teaching-learning process of a foreing language

Aesthetic landscape features may be measured by monetary units in market goods boosting economic activity, in particular in coastal tourism. Apart from the estimation of environmental and cultural non-market values, this empirical study demonstrates how scenic views affect the demand for coastal tourism in Italy. By using the hedonic pricing method, this paper investigates the extent to which relevant criteria involving agritourism, natural parks, vicinity to the beach as well as entertainments and transportation infrastructure impact demand for coastal tourism in a positive or negative direction considering regional diversity of Italian coastal areas by market segmentation. Games are used as simple recreational activities most of the time, but they are not always that simple. They have a reason for being. While performing games, there is always competition to win, rules to follow, and enjoyment to experience. These activities help teachers to create a better teaching-learning process. They could be presented at different stages of the class at the appropriate moment to create a positive atmosphere while learning without thinking about learning. Teachers should decide carefully when and what kind of games students are going to perform by analyzing different factors such as the aim of the game, the students� level of English, and students� ages, among others.
Islam, Migration and Integration: The Age of Securitization

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Seismoelectric interface response: Experimental results and forward model

Understanding the seismoelectric interface response is important for developing seismoelectric field methods for oil exploration and environmental/engineering geophysics. The existing seismoelectric theory has never been validated systematically by controlled experiments. We have designed and developed an experimental setup in which acoustic-to-electromagnetic wave conversions at interfaces are measured. An acoustic source emits a pressure wave that impinges upon a porous sample. The reflected electric-wave potential is recorded by a wire electrode. We have also developed a full-waveform electrokinetic theoretical model based on the Sommerfeld approach and have compared it with measurements at positions perpendicular and parallel to the fluid/porous-medium interface. We performed experiments at several salinities. For 10-3 and 10-2 M sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions, both waveforms and amplitudes agree. For 10-4 M NaCl, however, amplitude deviations occur. We found that a single amplitude field scaling factor describes these discrepancies. We also checked the repeatability of experiments. The amplitudes are constant for the duration of an experiment (1–4 hours) but decrease on longer time scales (~24 hours). However, the waveforms and spatial amplitude pattern of the electric wavefield are preserved over time. Our results validate electrokinetic theory for the seismic-to-electromagnetic-wave conversion at interfaces for subsurface exploration purposes.
COMPASS: A probabilistic indoor positioning system based on 802.11 and digital compasses

Positioning systems are one of the key elements required by location-based services. This paper presents the design, implementation and analysis of a positioning system called COMPASS which is based on 802.11-compliant network infrastructure and digital compasses. On the mobile device, COMPASS samples the signal strength values of different access points in its communication range and utilizes the orientation of the user to preselect a subset of the training data. The remaining training data is used by a probabilistic positioning algorithm to determine the position of the user. While prior systems show limited accuracy due to blocking effects caused by the human body, we apply digital compasses to detect the orientations of the users so that we can deal with these blocking effects. After a short period of training our COMPASS system achieves an average error distance of less than 1.65 meters in our experimental environment of 312 square meters.
Yield Stress of Super Soft Clays

Super soft clays can be defined as insensitive cohesive soils that have a water content higher than the liquid limit. It is difficult to define and measure the strength of these soils using conventional soil mechanics apparatus. It is proposed that the shear strength be determined using a rotary viscometer and be defined as the shear stress at zero strain (shear strain) rate in this test of viscosity. In this paper a number of potential methods to determine the shear strength or yield stress of super soft clays is considered. The yield stress of four super soft soils, each with varying water contents, have been measured using a rotary viscometer. The results of these tests together with published data are used to develop a relationship between the yield stress and the index properties of super soft clays.
A New Approach to Assess Lifetime Dietary Patterns Finds Lower Consumption of Animal Foods with Aging in a Longitudinal Analysis of a Health-Oriented Adventist Population

Life-course diet patterns may impact risk of disease, but little is known about dietary trends with aging. In a retrospective longitudinal analysis we estimated lifetime intake of animal products and adherence to vegetarian dietary patterns among 51,082 Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) subjects using data from a reliable life-course dietary (meats, dairy, eggs) questionnaire. Results showed a marked tendency to consume fewer animal products (in total) in older years and to reduce consumption of meat, poultry and fish, but not eggs or dairy. Among the 29% of elderly subjects who during their lifetime kept the same dietary pattern (LTS) were: LTS-vegans (1.1%), LTS-lacto-ovo vegetarians (31.2%), LTS-pesco vegetarians (0.49%), LTS-semi vegetarians (3.7%), and LTS-non-vegetarians (63.5%). Among the 71% of switchers were “Converters” (59.7%) who moved towards and “Reverters” (9.1%) who moved away from vegetarian diets, and Multiverters (31.2%), who had moved in both directions. LTS-non-vegetarians, and also reverters, were more overweight and showed a less healthy lifestyle than others. We conclude that the dietary patterns are dynamic with strong trends to reduce animal foods and to adopt more vegetarian patterns with aging. The disease experience of subjects with different lifetime dietary patterns can be compared.
Increased Oxidative Stress in Experimental Renovascular Hypertension

The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for maintenance of chronic renovascular hypertension remain undefined. Excess angiotensin II generation may lead to release of reactive oxygen species and increased vasoconstrictor activity. To examine the potential involvement of oxidation-sensitive mechanisms in the pathophysiology of renovascular hypertension, blood samples were collected and renal blood flow measured with electron-beam computed tomography in pigs 5 and 10 weeks after induction of unilateral renal artery stenosis (n=7) or sham operation (n=7). Five weeks after procedure, plasma renin activity and mean arterial pressure were elevated in hypertensive pigs. Levels of prostaglandin F2&agr; (PGF2&agr;)–isoprostanes, vasoconstrictors and markers of oxidative stress, also were significantly increased (157±21 versus 99±16 pg/mL;P <0.05) and correlated with both plasma renin activity (r =0.83) and arterial pressure (r =0.82). By 10 weeks, plasma renin activity returned to baseline but arterial pressure remained elevated (144±10 versus 115±5 mm Hg;P <0.05). Isoprostane levels remained high and still correlated directly with the increase in arterial pressure (r =0.7) but not with plasma renin activity. Stenotic kidney blood flow was decreased at both studies. In shock-frozen cortical tissue, ex vivo endogenous intracellular radical scavengers were significantly decreased in both kidneys. The present study demonstrates, for the first time, that in early renovascular hypertension, an increase in plasma renin activity and arterial pressure is associated with increased systemic oxidative stress. When plasma renin activity later declines, PGF2&agr;-isoprostanes remain elevated, possibly due to local activation or slow responses to angiotensin II, and may participate in sustenance of arterial pressure. Moreover, oxidation-sensitive mechanisms may influence ischemic and hypertensive parenchymal renal injury.
Morphometric analysis and function in vivo and in vitro of corpora lutea from ewes treated with LHRH during seasonal anoestrus.

Ovulation was induced by 3 X 30 micrograms LHRH i.v. at 90-min intervals in anoestrous Corriedale ewes. Plasma LH surges occurred in all of 31 ewes given LHRH, but ovulation occurred in only 16 of these ewes. Luteal weight and plasma progesterone concentration were lower in ewes in which ovulation was induced during anoestrus than in cyclic control ewes in the breeding season, and when data from induced and control ewes were pooled luteal weight was strongly correlated with plasma progesterone concentration (r = +0.612, P less than 0.01). Five mature corpora lutea (CL) resulting from ovulation induced during anoestrus were compared by morphometric methods with 5 CL from cyclic control ewes. When data from induced and control CL were pooled, luteal volume was positively correlated with total number of cells per CL (r = +0.869, P less than 0.01) but negatively correlated with number of cells per mm3 luteal tissue (r = -0.676, P less than 0.05), i.e. smaller CL contained fewer cells, but more cells per unit volume. Relative numbers of large to small luteal cells, at approximately equal to 1:6, were similar in LHRH-induced and cyclic control CL. Large and small luteal cells were smaller in induced CL than in control CL, but cytoplasmic:nuclear ratio did not differ between induced and control CL. Basal and LH-stimulated progesterone production by dispersed luteal cells in vitro were lower for CL from LHRH-treated ewes than from controls. However, percentage increase in progesterone production in response to LH was not different between LHRH-treated and control ewes at any dose rate of LH used. It is concluded that the small size of CL induced by LHRH is due primarily to the low numbers and small volumes of the luteal cells in these CL, and that subnormal luteal weight and subnormal progesterone production per luteal cell contribute to the low plasma progesterone concentrations in ewes treated with LHRH during seasonal anoestrus.
Timing Analysis for Mode Switch in Component-Based Multi-mode Systems

Component-Based Development (CBD) reduces development time and effort by allowing systems to be built from pre-developed reusable components. Partitioning the behavior into a set of major operational modes is a classical approach to reduce complexity of embedded systems design and execution. In supporting system modes in CBD, a key issue is seamless composition of pre-developed multi-mode components into systems. We have previously developed a Mode Switch Logic (MSL) for component-based multi-mode systems implementing such seamless composition. In this paper we extend our MSL to cope with atomic transactions, i.e., to handle sets of components that must not be aborted in the middle of the processing of data. This is in contrast with our original MSL, in which components are immediately aborted to perform a mode switch. Based on our extended MSL, we provide analysis of the mode switch timing.
The Molecular Links of Re-Emerging Therapy: A Review of Evidence of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera)

The convolution associated with memory is being resolved with advancement in neuroscience. According to the concurrent assumptions, synaptic plasticity forms one of the basis of memory formation, stabilization and strengthening. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is generally characterized by memory dysfunction, connections amongst the cells in the brain are attenuated or lost leading to degeneration of neural networks. Numerous attempts have been made to find new therapies for memory dysfunction with increasing attention and investments being laid on herbal drugs. Many herbal plants and extracts have already documented beneficial results when tested for antiamnesic effects. Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) is one such common herbal drug, which is employed for a long time in the Indian and Chinese medical system in order to treat several disorders. Previous research has shown that Brahmi exerts many pharmacological effects including memory boosting capacity in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Schizophrenia, exhibiting antiparkinsonian, antistroke, and anticonvulsant potentials. The present review discusses the chemical constituents of Brahmi along with in vitro and in vivo studies based on the pharmacological effects exerted by it. The efficacy of Brahmi in treating various disorders has evoked sufficient research in recent years and now it is a time to launch multiple clinical trials.
Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Lateral Side of the Knee

The posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee is a critical element for a functional lower extremity. It consists of an array of complex ligamentous and musculotendinous structures. The primary function of the PLC is to resist varus and external rotation and posterior translation of the tibia. Injuries to these structures can cause significant disability and compromise activities of daily living and work, recreational, and sporting activities. A thorough understanding of the complex anatomy and biomechanics of the PLC will aid the clinician in this challenging diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The first section of this paper describes the anatomy of the PLC of the knee focusing on the intricate insertion sites of the individual structures. The second section discusses how the anatomy influences the biomechanics of the PLC.
Lattice models of nonequilibrium bacterial dynamics

We study a model of self-propelled particles exhibiting run-and-tumble dynamics on a lattice. This non-Brownian diffusion is characterized by a random walk with a finite persistence length between changes of direction and is inspired by the motion of bacteria such as E. coli. By defining a class of models with multiple species of particles and transmutation between species we can recreate such dynamics. These models admit exact analytical results whilst also forming a counterpart to previous continuum models of run-and-tumble dynamics. We solve the externally driven non-interacting and zero-range versions of the model exactly and utilize a field-theoretic approach to derive the continuum fluctuating hydrodynamics for more general interactions. We make contact with prior approaches to run-and-tumble dynamics off lattice and determine the steady state and linear stability for a class of crowding interactions, where the jump rate decreases as density increases. In addition to its interest from the perspective of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, this lattice model constitutes an efficient tool to simulate a class of interacting run-and-tumble models relevant to bacterial motion, so long as certain conditions (that we derive) are met.
The interrelationship between temperature changes in the free atmosphere and sea surface temperature changes

Fields of sea surface temperature anomalies from the Global Ocean Surface Temperature Atlas (GOSTA) and microwave sounding measurements (MSU) of temperature in the troposphere are examined separately and together for the 1979–1988 period. Global correlation patterns of both sets of fields are investigated at a range of leads and lags up to 6 months and exhibit a wide range of correlation structure. There are regions, such as the tropical eastern Pacific, where sea surface temperature anomalies persist for several months and are associated with local air temperature anomalies; in this particular example, about 0.7°C air temperature change is associated with a 1.0°C sea temperature change. By contrast, some ocean regions and many atmospheric regions, mostly in middle and high latitude, show only local spatial correlations that disappear completely in a month or two. The most persistent and extensive spatial correlation patterns are quite different for the sea and the air. In the sea the “butterfly” pattern of the Pacific is the most important and reverses sign between the eastern equatorial Pacific and the western Pacific and subtropics. In the warm phase the temperature anomalies associated with this pattern are similar to the correlation pattern. For the atmosphere the main correlation pattern is an equatorial belt with no sign changes in the tropics; this pattern is linked to the oceanic El Nino mode. In the warm phase the temperature anomalies show peak values on both sides of the equator in the eastern and central Pacific. Based mainly on the results from the spatial patterns, certain regions are selected for intercomparison of time series. In the tropical eastern Pacific the sea leads the air by about a month while in the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio regions the sequence is reversed.
Undersampled Critical Branching Processes on Small-World and Random Networks Fail to Reproduce the Statistics of Spike Avalanches

The power-law size distributions obtained experimentally for neuronal avalanches are an important evidence of criticality in the brain. This evidence is supported by the fact that a critical branching process exhibits the same exponent . Models at criticality have been employed to mimic avalanche propagation and explain the statistics observed experimentally. However, a crucial aspect of neuronal recordings has been almost completely neglected in the models: undersampling. While in a typical multielectrode array hundreds of neurons are recorded, in the same area of neuronal tissue tens of thousands of neurons can be found. Here we investigate the consequences of undersampling in models with three different topologies (two-dimensional, small-world and random network) and three different dynamical regimes (subcritical, critical and supercritical). We found that undersampling modifies avalanche size distributions, extinguishing the power laws observed in critical systems. Distributions from subcritical systems are also modified, but the shape of the undersampled distributions is more similar to that of a fully sampled system. Undersampled supercritical systems can recover the general characteristics of the fully sampled version, provided that enough neurons are measured. Undersampling in two-dimensional and small-world networks leads to similar effects, while the random network is insensitive to sampling density due to the lack of a well-defined neighborhood. We conjecture that neuronal avalanches recorded from local field potentials avoid undersampling effects due to the nature of this signal, but the same does not hold for spike avalanches. We conclude that undersampled branching-process-like models in these topologies fail to reproduce the statistics of spike avalanches.
Mass spectrometry allows direct identification of proteins in large genomes

Proteome projects seek to provide systematic functional analysis of the genes uncovered by genome sequencing initiatives. Mass spectrometric protein identification is a key requirement in these studies but to date, database searching tools rely on the availability of protein sequences derived from full length cDNA, expressed sequence tags or predicted open reading frames (ORFs) from genomic sequences. We demonstrate here that proteins can be identified directly in large genomic databases using peptide sequence tags obtained by tandem mass spectrometry. On the background of vast amounts of noncoding DNA sequence, identified peptides localize coding sequences (exons) in a confined region of the genome, which contains the cognate gene. The approach does not require prior information about putative ORFs as predicted by computerized gene finding algorithms. The method scales to the complete human genome and allows identification, mapping, cloning and assistance in gene prediction of any protein for which minimal mass spectrometric information can be obtained. Several novel proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana and human have been discovered in this way.