Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managing deadline miss ratio and sensor data freshness in real-time databases

The demand for real-time data services is increasing in many applications including e-commerce, agile manufacturing, and telecommunications network management. In these applications, it is desirable to execute transactions within their deadlines, i.e., before the real-world status changes, using fresh (temporally consistent) data. However, meeting these fundamental requirements is challenging due to dynamic workloads and data access patterns in these applications. Further, transaction timeliness and data freshness requirements may conflict. We define average/transient deadline miss ratio and new data freshness metrics to let a database administrator specify the desired quality of real-time data services for a specific application. We also present a novel QoS management architecture for real-time databases to support the desired QoS even in the presence of unpredictable workloads and access patterns. To prevent overload and support the desired QoS, the presented architecture applies feedback control, admission control, and flexible freshness management schemes. A simulation study shows that our QoS-aware approach can achieve a near zero miss ratio and perfect freshness, meeting basic requirements for real-time transaction processing. In contrast, baseline approaches fail to support the desired miss ratio and/or freshness in the presence of unpredictable workloads and data access patterns.
Measuring Cognitive Errors: Initial Development of the Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS)

The ability to assess and correct biases in thinking is central to cognitive-behavioral therapy. Although measures of cognitive distortions exist, no measure comprehensively assesses the cognitive errors that are typically cited in the literature. The development and initial validation of the Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS), a questionnaire that measures the tendency to make 10 cognitive distortions (e.g., mindreading, catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking) as they occur in interpersonal and achievement domains, is described. Across two studies, undergraduate students (n = 318) completed the CDS and other clinically relevant measures. The CDS and its two subscales appear to exhibit good psychometric properties; however, a factor analysis supported the use of a one-factor solution. Additional analyses suggested that some errors occur more frequently in some domains than others and that some errors may have more clinical significance than others. Notwithstanding issues inherent in measuring cognitive e.
Pseudomonas syringae Type III Chaperones ShcO1, ShcS1, and ShcS2 Facilitate Translocation of Their Cognate Effectors and Can Substitute for Each Other in the Secretion of HopO1-1

ABSTRACT The Pseudomonas syringae type III secretion system (TTSS) translocates effector proteins into plant cells. Several P. syringae effectors require accessory proteins called type III chaperones (TTCs) to be secreted via the TTSS. We characterized the hopO1-1, hopS1, and hopS2 operons in P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000; these operons encode three homologous TTCs, ShcO1, ShcS1, and ShcS2. ShcO1, ShcS1, and ShcS2 facilitated the type III secretion and/or translocation of their cognate effectors HopO1-1, HopS1, and HopS2, respectively. ShcO1 and HopO1-1 interacted with each other in yeast two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation assays. Interestingly, ShcS1 and ShcS2 were capable of substituting for ShcO1 in facilitating HopO1-1 secretion and translocation and each TTC was able to bind the other's cognate effectors in yeast two-hybrid assays. Moreover, ShcO1, ShcS1, and ShcS2 all bound to the middle-third region of HopO1-1. The HopS2 effector possessed atypical P. syringae TTSS N-terminal characteristics and was translocated in low amounts. A site-directed HopS2 mutation that introduced a common N-terminal characteristic from other P. syringae type III secreted substrates increased HopS2 translocation, supporting the idea that this characteristic functions as a secretion signal. Additionally, hopO1-2 and hopT1-2 were shown to encode effectors secreted via the DC3000 TTSS. Finally, a DC3000 hopO1-1 operon deletion mutant produced disease symptoms similar to those seen with wild-type DC3000 but was reduced in its ability to multiply in Arabidopsis thaliana. The existence of TTCs that can bind to dissimilar effectors and that can substitute for each other in effector secretion provides insights into the nature of how TTCs function.
Using Process Indicators to Facilitate Data-Driven Decision Making in the Era of Accountability

This paper explores which accountability indicators are likely to reveal the distinct contexts and qualitative characteristics of school that stimulate and improve authentic pedagogy and accountability. In the era of accountability, data-driven decision making is a new research area for authentic pedagogy through monitoring student progress and improving school accountability. It is based on input-and-result oriented indicators such as school demographics, facilities, budget, standardized test scores, dropout rates. But the indicators are unlikely to capture a dynamically interactive qualitative characteristics of school organizations featuring a loosely-coupled system and difficult to be measured or assessed. Thus, process indicators need to be complementary to input-and-outcome data for a valid and graphic description, monitoring and explanation of ‘why’ and ‘how’ the school outcomes occur. The author concluded that the data-driven decision making (DDDM) based on process indicators strengthens reflective professionalism and provides for the educational welfare for the poor and left-behind students.
City of talents? Berlin's regional economy, socio‐spatial fabric and ‘worst practice’ urban governance

Berlin's reinstatement as the capital of Germany has raised great expectations of its transformation into a major economic centre of the European urban system. However, the city has not been able to fulfil these expectations. Today, Berlin is being hit by a financial crisis with dramatic consequences for the city's future development prospects. This article outlines the main outcomes of Berlin's socio‐economic restructuring in the 1990s: a tremendous loss of jobs in traditional industries has contributed to rising unemployment and the spread of urban poverty. The city has been a prime playground for speculative real estate investment, which has left behind a huge amount of unoccupied office space. On the other hand, new islands of economic growth have been developing in Berlin, particularly in knowledge‐intensive economic activities and the media industry. This development is related to the city's functioning as a highly attractive living place for the ‘creative class’ in Germany. At the same time, the city is an outstanding example of ‘worst practice’ urban governance, which has led to a financial crisis with truly catastrophic effects. The current financial consolidation policy may damage the prospects of Berlin's few growth sectors in the field of knowledge‐intensive economic activities. Le retablissement de Berlin en capitale de l'Allemagne a suscite d'enormes attentes quant a sa transformation en centre economique majeur du reseau urbain europeen, espoirs qui se sont reveles vains. Aujourd'hui, Berlin est frappee par une crise financiere aux consequences dramatiques pour les perspectives de developpement de la ville. Cet article presente les principaux aboutissements de la restructuration socio‐economique de la capitale dans les annees 1990: une terrible deperdition d'emplois dans les industries traditionnelles a nourri une progression du chomage et de la pauvrete urbaine; devenue terrain de jeu privilegie des speculateurs immobiliers, la ville compte desormais une multitude d'espaces de bureaux inoccupes. En revanche, ont eclos des ilots de croissance economique, notamment dans les medias et les domaines ou le savoir est important. Cette evolution tient au fonctionnement de la capitale comme lieu de vie particulierement attrayant pour les ‘creatifs’ en Allemagne. Parallelement, la ville constitue un remarquable cas de ‘pire pratique’ de gouvernance urbaine ayant amene une crise financiere aux effets reellement catastrophiques; pour finir, la politique de consolidation financiere actuelle va peut‐etre entraver l'avenir des rares secteurs berlinois en expansion dans les spheres d'activites economiques demandeuses de savoir.
Immunogenicity and Safety of an AS03-Adjuvanted H7N9 Pandemic Influenza Vaccine in a Randomized Trial in Healthy Adults

Background Almost 700 cases of human infection with avian influenza A/H7N9 have been reported since 2013. Pandemic preparedness strategies include H7N9 vaccine development. Methods We evaluated an inactivated H7N9 vaccine in an observer-blind study in healthy adults aged 18–64 years. Participants (420) were randomized to receive 1 of 4 AS03-adjuvanted vaccines (low or medium dose of hemagglutinin with AS03A or AS03B), one nonadjuvanted vaccine, or placebo. The coprimary immunogenicity objective determined whether adjuvanted vaccines elicited an immune response against the vaccine-homologous virus, 21 days after the second vaccine dose per US and European licensure criteria in the per-protocol cohort (n = 389). Results All adjuvanted vaccines met regulatory acceptance criteria. In groups receiving adjuvanted formulations, seroconversion rates were ≥85.7%, seroprotection rates ≥91.1%, and geometric mean titers ≥92.9% versus 23.2%, 28.6%, and 17.2 for the nonadjuvanted vaccine. The AS03 adjuvant enhanced immune response at antigen-sparing doses. Injection site pain occurred more frequently with adjuvanted vaccines (in ≤98.3% of vaccinees) than with the nonadjuvanted vaccine (40.7%) or placebo (20.0%). None of the 20 serious adverse events reported were related to vaccination. Conclusions Two doses of AS03-adjuvanted H7N9 vaccine were well tolerated and induced a robust antibody response at antigen-sparing doses in healthy adults. Clinical Trials Registration NCT01999842.
In Vitro Susceptibilities of Four Bartonella bacilliformis Strains to 30 Antibiotic Compounds

ABSTRACT We have evaluated for the first time in vitro antibiotic susceptibilities of four human strains of Bartonella bacilliformis, the agent of Carrion’s disease. Our results show that B. bacilliformis, like other Bartonellaspecies, is highly susceptible to antibiotics, including most beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, rifampin, macrolides, tetracyclines, cotrimoxazole, and fluoroquinolones.
Periodontal changes in liver cirrhosis and post-transplantation patients. II: radiographic findings:.

BACKGROUND Liver disease and transplantation affect bone turnover. The role of cylosporin A (CsA) in aggravating bone loss is controversial. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of liver cirrhosis, transplantation, and immunosuppressive therapy with either CsA or tacrolimus on alveolar bone height. METHODS The experimental group consisted of 13 liver cirrhosis (LC) patients. A second experimental group included 24 post-liver transplantation patients (PT) receiving CsA or tacrolimus. Seventeen healthy subjects formed a control group. Panoramic x-rays were taken and digitized using a computer-based measurement software to assess alveolar bone height of all available teeth. RESULTS Bone loss in the PT group (4.57+/-0.56 mm) was significantly higher than the control (C) (2.73+/-0.38 mm); however, it was significantly lower (P = 0.0005) than the LC (6.47+/-0.75 mm). Likewise, alveolar bone loss showed a trend for negative correlation (R = 0.404, P = 0.06) with the duration of immunosuppressive therapy post-liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Liver cirrhosis patients demonstrated greater bone loss compared to healthy controls. Restoration of liver functions following transplantation seems to have the potential to reverse some of these radiographic changes. Further longitudinal studies will be necessary to substantiate these findings.
A neural network modeling methodology for the detection of high-risk programs

The profitability of a software development effort is highly dependent on both timely market entry and the reliability of the released product. To get a highly reliable product to the market on schedule, software engineers must allocate resources appropriately across the development effort. Software quality models based upon data drawn from past projects can identify key risk or problem areas in current similar development efforts. Knowing the high-risk modules in a software design is a key to good design and staffing decisions. A number of researchers have recognized this, and have applied modeling technqiues to isolate fault-prone or high-risk program modules early in the development cycle. Discriminant analytic classification models have shown promise in performing this task. We introduce a neural network classification model for identifying high-risk program modules, and we compare the quality of this model with that of a discriminant classification model fitted with the same data. We find that the neural network techniques provide a better management tool in software engineering environments.
Growth of Jersey Schoolchildren During the 1940-1945 German Occupation: Comparison with Schoolchildren on Mainland Britain

The 1940–45 German occupation of the Channel Islands was accompanied by a gradual deterioration in food availability and culminated in a nine-month siege with severe food shortages after supplies from France were cut off following the liberation of Normandy in 1944. The aim of this study was to compare the growth rates of schoolchildren resident on one of the Channel Islands (Jersey) with children growing up on mainland Britain. Secondary analyses were conducted on published data describing the growth of approximately 3,500 schoolchildren resident on Jersey throughout the occupation, 10,000–15,000 London schoolchildren, and about 5,000 children evacuated from mainland cities to "residential camp schools" in rural areas. A comparison of age- and sex-adjusted average annual growth rates between 1940 and 1943 confirmed that 8½–12½-year-old children on Jersey gained 28.2–33.1% less weight and 23.6–26.5% less height per year than children on the mainland. Because food shortages on Jersey intensified after 1943 (when the mid-occupation growth measurements had been recorded), growth rates toward the end of the occupation (in 1944 and early 1945) are likely to have been even worse than those observed between 1940 and 1943. As such, these analyses provide a somewhat conservative estimate of the decline in childhood growth rates that occurred on Jersey during the 1940–45 German occupation.
Work in progress — Exploring the evolution of the mentoring relationship in a summer undergraduate research program

The mentoring relationship is an important and crucial aspect in the academic and professional development of both mentor and protégé. Although the characteristics of positive mentoring relationships have been identified, there is little prior research in assessing the relationship between undergraduate researchers and their graduate student mentors. We present a document analysis of the reflective journals and mentoring philosophy statements of four graduate student mentors of undergraduate researchers in a summer research program. The preliminary results show that mentors and students can have mismatched expectations, and that as the mentoring relationship evolves, the roles of the mentor and student also evolve. We also present a mentoring model grounded in the data.
The Status of Former Sportsmen

ally taking these problems are only part of a broader trend of research on the social aspects of the process of aging, embracing phenomena connected with the change of the generation, with adaptation, conflicts between generations, etc. The social situation of people withdrawing from active participation in various fields of social life is full of dramatic moments, imbued with conflict, which require
Developing an Australian code of construction ethics

This article looks at the increasing need to consider the role of ethics in construction. The industry, historically, has been challenged by allegations of a serious shortfall in ethical standards. Only limited attempts to date in Australia have been made to address that concern. Any ethical analysis should consider the definition of ethics and its historical development. This paper considers major historical developments in ethical thinking as well as contemporary thinking on ethics for professional sub-sets. A code could be developed specific to construction. Current methods of addressing ethics in construction and in other industries are also reviewed. This paper argues that developing a code of ethics, supported by other measures is the way forward. The author’s aim is to promote further discussion and promote the drafting of a code. This paper includes a summary of other ethical codes that may provide a starting point. The time for reform is upon us, and there is an urgent need for an independent body to take the lead, for fear of floundering and having only found ‘another debating topic’ (Uff 2006).
Why more choices cause less cooperation in iterated prisoner's dilemma

The classic iterated prisoner's dilemma (IPD) has only 2 choices, cooperate or defect. However, most real-world situations offer intermediate responses, between full cooperation and full defection. Previous studies observed that with intermediate levels, mutual cooperation is less likely to emerge, and even if it does it is less stable. Exactly why has been a mystery. This paper demonstrates two mechanisms that sabotage the emergence of full mutual cooperation. First, to increase cooperation requires behavioral (phenotypic) diversity to explore different possible outcomes, and once evolution has converged somewhat on a particular degree of cooperation, it is unlikely to shift. Secondly, more choices allows a richer choice of stable strategies that are not simply cooperating with each other to exclude an invader, but which are symbiotic. Such non-symmetric and symbiotic players in the space of strategies act as roadblocks on the path to full cooperation.
The Pain Belief Screening Instrument (PBSI): Predictive validity for disability status in persistent musculoskeletal pain

Purpose. To evaluate the predictive validity of a screening instrument measuring disability, self-efficacy, fear of movement and catastrophizing, for disability status in patients with musculoskeletal pain in primary health care physical therapy. Development over time of pain-related disability, pain intensity, self-reported work capacity and overall daily function for subgroups of patients was also investigated. Method. Prospective and correlational study, where patients (n = 168) with a pain-duration of 4 weeks or more completed the questionnaires and their cases were followed for 8 months to assess the variables of interest. For predictive validity of the screening instrument discriminant analyses were conducted. The development over time for subgroups was analysed by comparing scores at the first and second measurement. Results. The PBSI correctly classified 72% of the subjects as High-disabled (n = 33) or Low-disabled (n = 110), as measured with the Pain Disability Index (Wilks' lambda = 0.848, p < 0.005). For pain intensity, self-reported changes in work capacity and overall daily function the discriminant analyses were not significant. The High-disability group had increased disability, unchanged pain intensity and decreased work capacity and daily function after 8 months. Conclusion. The predictive validity of the PBSI for disability was confirmed. In clinical use the PBSI could serve as a mean to obtain supplementary and clinically useful information.
Patience, Cognitive Skill and Coordination in the Repeated Stag Hunt

Coordination games have become a critical tool of analysis in fields such as development and institutional economics. Understanding behavior in coordination games is an important step towards understanding the differing success of teams, firms and nations. This paper investigates the relationship between personal attributes (cognitive ability, risk-aversion, patience) and behavior and outcomes in coordination games, an issue that, to the best of our knowledge, has never been studied before. For the repeated coordination game that we consider, we find that: (1) cognitive ability has no bearing on any aspect of behavior or outcomes; (2) pairs of players who are more patient are more likely to coordinate well and earn higher payoffs; and (3) risk-aversion has no bearing on any aspect of behavior or outcomes. These results are robust to controlling for personality traits and demographic characteristics.
Fetal growth and Doppler assessment in patients with a history of bilateral internal iliac artery embolization

Background: Pregnancy occurring after pelvic arterial embolization for postpartum hemorrhage is rare. The harmlessness of this procedure for subsequent pregnancies is poorly documented. Materials and methods: Eight pregnant women with a history of arterial embolization were followed up with fetal growth and Doppler assessment. Results: Fetal growth and umbilical Doppler findings remained normal in all cases. Conclusion: Embolization, a life-saving and fertility-preserving procedure, does not seem to affect subsequent pregnancies.
Visually Impaired Children I

This article presents an overview of significant issues pertaining to the psychoeducational assessment of visually impaired children. These issues include: incidence and definition of visual impairment, screening for visual problems, variables affecting vision, effects of visual handicaps on psychological development, pre-assessment preparation, testing conditions, use and adaptation of tests, and interpretation of results.
Effects of zinc on male sex hormones and semen quality in rats.

This study assessed the effects of zinc on male sex hormones and semen quality in male albino wistar rats. Forty rats weighing between 150- 210g, grouped into 5 of 8 rats each, were used for the research that lasted for six weeks. Group I, the control group, received normal rat chow and water ad libitum. The four test groups II-V, received 20g, 40g, 60g and 80g of zinc sulphate mixed with their rat chow respectively in addition to water for six weeks. Blood samples were collected and assayed for Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Prolactin (PL), testosterone (T), progesterone and oestradiol. Semen was also analysed for sperm motility, sperm count and morphology. Results showed statistically significant decrease in serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (p< 0.05) in groups II and IV with mean values of 0.10±0.00 and 1.20±0.00 respectively when compared with the control (1.10±0.10). The results also revealed statistically significant increase in the serum levels of testosterone in groups II, III and IV with mean values of 3.60±1.40, 4.5±0.30 and 0.80±0.70 respectively when compared with the control with a value of 0.35±0.15. The increase in testosterone levels were dose dependent as there were consistent increment in groups II and III after which the levels decreased with increasing zinc concentrations. There was statistically significant dose dependent decrease in sperm motility and morphology in the test groups compared with the control (p<0.05). In conclusion, zinc sulphate has some significant positive effects on male sex hormones and sperm quality at doses within physiological levels but harmful at higher doses.