Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Domain Adaptation Using Domain Similarity- and Domain Complexity-Based Instance Selection for Cross-Domain Sentiment Analysis

We propose an approach to domain adaptation that selects instances from a source domain training set, which are most similar to a target domain. The factor by which the original source domain training set size is reduced is determined automatically by measuring domain similarity between source and target domain as well as their domain complexity variance. Domain similarity is measured as divergence between term unigram distributions. Domain complexity is measured as homogeneity, i.e. self-similarity. We evaluate our approach in a semi-supervised cross-domain document-level polarity classification experiment. Thereby we show, that it yields small but statistically significant improvements over several natural baselines and achieves results competitive to other state-of-the-art domain adaptation schemes.
How to Bid the Cloud

Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) uses auction-based spot pricing to sell spare capacity, allowing users to bid for cloud resources at a highly reduced rate. Amazon sets the spot price dynamically and accepts user bids above this price. Jobs with lower bids (including those already running) are interrupted and must wait for a lower spot price before resuming. Spot pricing thus raises two basic questions: how might the provider set the price, and what prices should users bid? Computing users' bidding strategies is particularly challenging: higher bid prices reduce the probability of, and thus extra time to recover from, interruptions, but may increase users' cost. We address these questions in three steps: (1) modeling the cloud provider's setting of the spot price and matching the model to historically offered prices, (2) deriving optimal bidding strategies for different job requirements and interruption overheads, and (3) adapting these strategies to MapReduce jobs with master and slave nodes having different interruption overheads. We run our strategies on EC2 for a variety of job sizes and instance types, showing that spot pricing reduces user cost by 90% with a modest increase in completion time compared to on-demand pricing.
Examining the Differences in Format and Characteristics of Zoonotic Virus Surveillance Data on State Agency Websites

Background Zoonotic viruses are infectious organisms transmittable between animals and humans. Agencies of public health, agriculture, and wildlife conduct surveillance of zoonotic viruses and often report data on their websites. However, the format and characteristics of these data are not known. Objective To describe and compare the format and characteristics of statistics of zoonotic viruses on state public health, agriculture, and wildlife agency websites. Methods For each state, we considered the websites of that state’s public health, agriculture, and wildlife agency. For each website, we noted the presence of any statistics for zoonotic viruses from 2000-2012. We analyzed the data using numerous categories including type of statistic, temporal and geographic level of detail, and format. We prioritized our analysis within each category based on assumptions of individuals’ preferences for extracting and analyzing data from websites. Thus, if two types of data (such as city and state-level) were present for a given virus in a given year, we counted the one with higher priority (city). External links from agency sites to other websites were not considered. Results From 2000-2012, state health departments had the most extensive virus data, followed by agriculture, and then wildlife. We focused on the seven viruses that were common across the three agencies. These included rabies, West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, western equine encephalitis, influenza, and dengue fever. Simple numerical totals were most often used to report the data (89% for public health, 81% for agriculture, and 82% for wildlife), and proportions were not different (chi-square P=.15). Public health data were most often presented yearly (66%), while agriculture and wildlife agencies often described cases as they occurred (Fisher’s Exact test P<.001). Regarding format, public health agencies had more downloadable PDF files (68%), while agriculture (61%) and wildlife agencies (46%) presented data directly in the text of the HTML webpage (Fisher’s Exact test P<.001). Demographics and other information including age, gender, and host were limited. Finally, a Fisher’s Exact test showed no association between geography data and agency type (P=.08). However, it was noted that agriculture department data was often at the county level (63%), while public health was mixed between county (38%) and state (35%). Conclusions This study focused on the format and characteristics of statistics of zoonotic viruses on websites of state public health, wildlife, and agriculture agencies in the context of population health surveillance. Data on zoonotic viruses varied across agencies presenting challenges for researchers needing to integrate animal and human data from different websites.
Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization on Soil and Aquifers in the Humid Pampa, Argentina

There is great concern worldwide about air and water pollution arising from N-fertilizer. Considering the ex- pansion of agriculture and fertilization practices in Argentina, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of N- fertilizers on soil N dynamics and then relationship with nitrate concentration in aquifers. Soil samples were taken during a maize crop cycle in two agricultural farms under different fertilization treatments: UAN (urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonium tiosulfate, 110 kg N ha -1 ); and UREA (urea, 60 kg N ha -1 ). UAN and UREA treatment produced an increase in soil nitrate content (from 6 to 550 and 60 mg N kg -1 respectively) and the 71% of aquifers sampled exceeded 45 mg l -1 . Our results indicate that uan application produced great N losses and did not increase soil residual N, suggesting that the high amount of nitrates in aquifers would arise from the soil N losses.
AHP-BASED DECESION-MAKING PROCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTION CITY MODEL: CASE STUDY OF JEJU, KOREA

Traffic congestion that results from the increased traffic demand due to the creation of new infrastructure (i.e., a newly built highway) has become a very serious problem in Korea that causes unnecessary social cost. To solve this problem, more effective transportation demand management should be considered simultaneously with the promotion of public transportation. New policies that promote transit ridership are appearing as a result of issues such as capacity and the environment. The most suitable and effective public transportation policies are planned and executed within the context of a long-term strategy due to their large time and money costs. Therefore, a public transportation model should be developed after an adequate evaluation process in order to maximize social benefit and efficiency. Methods for evaluating many alternative policies have already been introduced. The monetary evaluation methods (such as Cost-Benefit Analysis) have some limitations in reflecting various factors, especially considering qualitative variables that are related to decision-making problems. On the contrary, the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) is a flexible model that deals with the qualitative variables and allows us to make decisions by personal judgment in a logical way. This paper provides a new decision-making process that is related to policies on the promotion of public transportation ridership. This paper also includes implementation of the process to the construction of a ‘JEJU’ public transportation city model to verify the applicability of the AHP method. Since the new method includes a multi-criteria (particularly qualitative variables) analysis process and reflects expert opinions, it is therefore very useful for finding a more broadly acceptable solution for goal-oriented policy making. Planners and decision-makers can easily use this new method to prioritize transportation projects.
Effect of Payload Length Variation and Retransmissions on Multimedia in WLANs

Multimedia transmission over wireless local area networks (WLANs) is a challenging task due to the varying nature of the wireless channel as well as the inherent difference between multimedia traffic and data traffic. In the MAC layer, a single bit error in the packet can lead to the entire packet being discarded. This results in a higher packet error rate for higher payload sizes. Retransmission due to packet errors causes the contention window to double, and this leads to a decrease in throughput if the wireless channel does not improve for the retransmitted packets. Hence, throughput is a function of packet payload length as well as the maximum number of allowable retransmissions. In this paper, we investigate the effect of paylo ad length adaptation and retransmissions on the throughput and capacity of multimedia users. Numerical results and simulations reveal that careful payload adaptation significantly improves the throughput performance at low signal to noise ratios (SNRs). It is also observed that excessive retransmissions can reduce th e effective throughput, thereby reducing the capacity of multimedia users in the presence of data users. Since multimedia traffic is more latency constrained and less error constrained, this suggests that by carefully selecting the payload length and maximum number of allowable retransmissions based on the channel conditions, a higher number of multimedia users can be supported.
Large-scale functional brain networks in human non-rapid eye movement sleep: insights from combined electroencephalographic/functional magnetic resonance imaging studies

This paper reviews the existing body of knowledge on the neural correlates of spontaneous oscillations, functional connectivity and brain plasticity in human non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. The first section reviews the evidence that specific sleep events as slow waves and spindles are associated with transient increases in regional brain activity. The second section describes the changes in functional connectivity during NREM sleep, with a particular focus on changes within a low-frequency, large-scale functional brain network. The third section will discuss the possibility that spontaneous oscillations and differential functional connectivity are related to brain plasticity and systems consolidation, with a particular focus on motor skill acquisition. Implications for the mode of information processing per sleep stage and future experimental studies are discussed.
Role of inferior temporal neurons in visual memory. I. Temporal encoding of information about visual images, recalled images, and behavioral context.

1. Lesions of the inferior temporal (IT) cortex selectively hamper monkeys in tasks requiring visual memory. A system that recognizes images must be able to encode a current stimulus, recall the code of a previous stimulus, compare the codes of the two stimuli, and make a decision on the basis of the outcome of the comparison. Therefore, IT neurons must be involved in at least one of these processes. To determine the specific role of IT neurons in visual memory, we measured the information conveyed in the neuronal responses about current patterns, recalled patterns, and behavioral context. 2. Two monkeys were trained to perform a sequential matching task using a set of 32 black and white Walsh patterns. In the course of an experiment, each pattern was presented repeatedly in sample, match, and nonmatch behavioral contexts. While the monkeys were performing the task, we recorded the activity of 76 neurons from area TE of IT. The neuronal responses to the stimuli were converted to spike density functions, and the resultant waveforms were quantified using their principal components. The relationships between the responses and the stimuli were studied using analysis of variance and information theory. 3. The analysis of variance was applied to the neuronal response waveforms using the context (sample, match, or nonmatch) and the patterns of the stimuli as independent variables and the spike count or the coefficients of the principal components as the dependent variables. We found that the waveforms of most neurons were significantly modulated by both the pattern and the context of the stimulus presentation. 4. We also analyzed the stimulus-response relationships using information theory. The input codes were based on the pattern and context of the stimuli, and the output codes were based on the spike count or the principal components of the responses. The neuronal response waveforms were found to convey significant amounts of information about both the pattern and context of the stimuli. Transmitted information was greatest when the response of a neuron was interpreted as a message about the combination of pattern and context. Nevertheless, there was information about context independent of pattern and vice versa. 5. We also used information theory to determine whether the neuronal responses to the second, or test, stimulus conveyed information about the pattern of the first, or sample, stimulus. The input codes were based on the patterns of the sample stimuli, and the output codes were based on the responses to the nonmatch test stimuli. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Image processing issues in a social assistive system for the blind

We systematically analyse the design of the low-level vision components of a real-time system able to help a blind person in his/her social interactions. We focus on the acquisition and processing of the video sequences that are acquired by a wearable sensor (a smartphone camera or a Webcam) for the detection of faces in the scene. We review some classical and some very recent techniques that seem appropriate to the requirements of our goal.
Highly cited papers in Library and Information Science (LIS): Authors, institutions, and network structures

As a follow‐up to the highly cited authors list published by Thomson Reuters in June 2014, we analyzed the top 1% most frequently cited papers published between 2002 and 2012 included in the Web of Science (WoS) subject category “Information Science & Library Science. ” In all, 798 authors contributed to 305 top 1% publications; these authors were employed at 275 institutions. The authors at Harvard University contributed the largest number of papers, when the addresses are whole‐number counted. However, Leiden University leads the ranking if fractional counting is used. Twenty‐three of the 798 authors were also listed as most highly cited authors by Thomson Reuters in June 2014 (http://highlycited.com/). Twelve of these 23 authors were involved in publishing 4 or more of the 305 papers under study. Analysis of coauthorship relations among the 798 highly cited scientists shows that coauthorships are based on common interests in a specific topic. Three topics were important between 2002 and 2012: (a) collection and exploitation of information in clinical practices; (b) use of the Internet in public communication and commerce; and (c) scientometrics.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea S Gene Indel Strain Isolated in France in December 2014

ABSTRACT We report the first and only case of a porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) outbreak occurring in December 2014 in northern France, and we show using the full-length genome sequence of the French PED virus (PEDV) isolate that it was a PEDV indel strain close to German PEDV strains recently isolated.
Comparison of liquid-based preparation and conventional smear of fine-needle aspiration cytology of lymph node

Background: In this paper, we have compared the cytomorphologic characteristics of liquid-based preparation (LBP) [SurePath (SP)] cytology and conventional smear (CP) preparations on fine-needle aspiration (FNAC) material by a semi-quantitative scoring system for cases of lymphadenopathy. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 52 consecutive cases of FNAC of lymphadenopathy were included. The first pass was used for CP followed by LBP with the help of SP technique. The smears were independently compared and assessed by two observers (PS and PD). Results: The semiquantitative grading was compared in two groups by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The background information, cell architecture, pleomorphism, nuclear and cytoplasmic details, and three-dimensional structures were significantly different in LBP and CP smears. Conclusions: Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is a relatively simple technique, which exhibits good nuclear and cytoplasmic details with the absence of obscuring background material. Even the number of slides and area per slide to be screened were less than the conventional preparation but caution must be applied to interpret the slides and secure a diagnosis, especially if LBC is the first and only method applied for diagnosis.
Evaluation of the WHO 2010 Grading and AJCC/UICC Staging Systems in Prognostic Behavior of Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors

Background The increasing incidence and heterogeneous behavior of intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (iNETs) pose a clinicopathological challenge. Our goal was to decribe the prognostic value of the new WHO 2010 grading and the AJCC/UICC TNM staging systems for iNETs. Moreover, outcomes of patients treated with somatostatin analogs were assessed. Methods We collected epidemiological and clinicopathological data from 93 patients with histologically proven iNETs including progression and survival outcomes. The WHO 2010 grading and the AJCC/UICC TNM staging systems were applied for all cases. RECIST criteria were used to define progression. Kaplan-Meier analyses for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed. Results Mean follow-up was 58.6 months (4–213 months). WHO 2010 grading yielded PFS and disease-specific OS of 125.0 and 165.8 months for grade 1 (G1), 100.0 and 144.2 months for G2 and 15.0 and 15.8 months for G3 tumors (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001). Using AJCC staging, patients with stage I and II tumors had no progression and no deaths. Stage III and IV patients demonstrated PFS of 138.4 and 84.7 months (p = 0.003) and disease-specific OS of 210.0 and 112.8 months (p = 0.017). AJCC staging also provided informative PFS (91.2 vs. 50.0 months, p = 0.004) and OS (112.3 vs. 80.0 months, p = 0.005) measures with somatostatin analog use in stage IV patients. Conclusion Our findings underscore the complementarity of WHO 2010 and AJCC classifications in providing better estimates of iNETS disease outcomes and extend the evidence for somatostatin analog benefit in patients with metastatic disease.
Sensorimotor Gating in Larval Zebrafish

Control of behavior in the natural environment where sensory stimuli are abundant requires superfluous information to be ignored. In part, this is achieved through selective transmission, or gating of signals to motor systems. A quantitative and clinically important measure of sensorimotor gating is prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response, impairments in which have been demonstrated in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Here, we show for the first time that the acoustic startle response in zebrafish larvae is modulated by weak prepulses in a manner similar to mammalian PPI. We demonstrate that, like in mammals, antipsychotic drugs can suppress disruptions in zebrafish PPI induced by dopamine agonists. Because genetic factors underlying PPI are not well understood, we performed a screen and isolated mutant lines with reduced PPI. Analysis of Ophelia mutants demonstrates that they have normal sensory acuity and startle performance, but reduced PPI, suggesting that Ophelia is critical for central processing of sensory information. Thus, our results provide the first evidence for sensorimotor gating in larval zebrafish and report on the first unbiased screen to identify genes regulating this process.
Canine von Willebrand ’ s disease – knowledge and awareness among dog breeders and owners in Poland

Canine von Willebrand’s disease – knowledge and awareness among dog breeders and owners in Poland. Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), one of the most common congenital bleeding diatheses caused by a de cient or defective von Willebrand’s factor (vWF), is found in different breeds of dogs. The objective of the study was to perform a preliminary analysis of the knowledge and awareness of von Willebrand’s disease among dog breeders and owners in Poland. The online survey was addressed to dog breeders and owners, comprised 25 questions and was voluntary and anonymous. It was placed on 12 thematic Internet forums dedicated to different breeds of dogs. The respondents provided 231 answers, 76 of which were complete. The results of the survey indicate that the dog breeders and owners are highly interested in genetic tests and want more general access to scienti c information. By their own admission, the dog owners and breeders have partly insuf cient knowledge about vWD. Considerable gaps in their knowledge about other issues (including breeding work) were also evidenced. Being a contribution to the discussion about canine vWD, this article highlighted the need to improve the education of dog breeders and owners, and to make them aware of their role in canine health care.
Slow Down and Concentrate: Time for a Paradigm Shift in Fall Prevention among People with Parkinson's Disease?

Introduction. We know little about how environmental challenges beyond home exacerbate difficulty moving, leading to falls among people with Parkinson's (PwP). Aims. To survey falls beyond home, identifying challenges amenable to behaviour change. Methods. We distributed 380 questionnaires to PwP in Southern England, asking participants to count and describe falls beyond home in the previous 12 months. Results. Among 255 responses, 136 PwP (diagnosed a median 8 years) reported falling beyond home. They described 249 falls in detail, commonly falling forward after tripping in streets. Single fallers (one fall in 12 months) commonly missed their footing, walking, or changing position and recovered to standing alone or with unfamiliar help. Repeat fallers (median falls, two) commonly felt shaken or embarrassed and sought medical advice. Very frequent fallers (falling at least monthly; median falls beyond home, six) commonly fell backward, in shops and after collapse but often recovered to standing alone. Conclusion. Even independently active PwP who do not fall at home may fall beyond home, often after tripping. Falling beyond home may result in psychological and/or physical trauma (embarrassment if observed by strangers and/or injury if falling backwards onto a hard surface). Prevention requires vigilance and preparedness: slowing down and concentrating on a single task might effectively prevent falling.