Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Verifiable Fuzzy Keyword Search Scheme Over Encrypted Data

As the Cloud Computing technology becomes mature, the need increases rapidly to store sensitive data securely on the cloud server. Since the cloud is not trusted, the data should be stored in an encrypted form at the server. An inherent problem is how to query the encrypted data efficiently. Recently, some searchable encryption schemes have been proposed in the literatures. Although the existing searchable encryption schemes allow a user to search the encrypted data securely without decrypting it, these solutions cannot support the verifiability of the search results. We argue that a cloud server may be selfish in order to save its computation or download bandwidth. For example, it may execute and return only a fraction of search operations and the results honestly. In this paper, we propose a verifiable fuzzy keyword search scheme based on the symbol-tree which not only supports the fuzzy keyword search over encrypted data, but also enjoys the verifiability of the search outcome.
Benchmarking non-photorealistic rendering of portraits

We present a set of images for helping NPR practitioners evaluate their image-based portrait stylisation algorithms. Using a standard set both facilitates comparisons with other methods and helps ensure that presented results are representative. We give two levels of difficulty, each consisting of 20 images selected systematically so as to provide good coverage of several possible portrait characteristics. We applied three existing portrait-specific stylisation algorithms, two general-purpose stylisation algorithms, and one general learning based stylisation algorithm to the first level of the benchmark, corresponding to the type of constrained images that have often been used in portrait-specific work. We found that the existing methods are generally effective on this new image set, demonstrating that level one of the benchmark is tractable; challenges remain at level two. Results revealed several advantages conferred by portrait-specific algorithms over general-purpose algorithms: portrait-specific algorithms can use domain-specific information to preserve key details such as eyes and to eliminate extraneous details, and they have more scope for semantically meaningful abstraction due to the underlying face model. Finally, we provide some thoughts on systematically extending the benchmark to higher levels of difficulty.
Optimal deployment of charging stations for electric vehicular networks

In a smart city environment, we look at a new, upcoming generation of vehicles running on electric power supplied by on-board batteries. Best recharging options include charging at home, as well as charging at public areas. In this setting, electric vehicles will be informed about public charging stations using wireless communications. As the charging stations are shared resources, cooperating electric vehicles have the potential to avoid unbalanced use of recharging stations and lengthy waiting times. We present a model for electric vehicles and their battery depletion, vehicle mobility, charging stations, and give a solution for optimal placement of charging stations in a smart city. Our placement approach is based on genetic programming and simulation of electric vehicles which move on a real map of a European city. We show that after a few evolution steps, an optimal solution of the charging infrastructure is derived based on mean trip times of electric vehicles.
Anti-reflection coating for nitrogen-vacancy optical measurements in diamond

We realize anti-reflection (AR) coatings for optical excitation and fluorescence measurements of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in bulk diamond by depositing quarter-wavelength thick silica layers on the diamond surface. These AR coatings improve NV-diamond optical measurements by reducing optical reflection at the diamond-air interface from ≈17% to ≈2%, which allows more effective NV optical excitation and more efficient detection of NV fluorescence. We also show that diamond AR coatings eliminate standing-wave interference patterns of excitation laser intensity within bulk diamond, and thereby greatly reduce spatial variations in NV fluorescence, which can degrade spatially resolved magnetic field sensing using NV centers.
Regime changes in global sea surface salinity trend

Abstract. Recent studies have shown significant sea surface salinity (SSS) changes at scales ranging from regional to global. In this study, we estimate global salinity means and trends using historical (1950–2014) SSS data from the UK Met. Office Hadley Centre objectively analyzed monthly fields and recent data from the SMOS satellite (2010–2014). We separate the different components (regimes) of the global surface salinity by fitting a Gaussian Mixture Model to the data and using Expectation–Maximization to distinguish the means and trends of the data. The procedure uses a non-subjective method (Bayesian Information Criterion) to extract the optimal number of means and trends. The results show the presence of three separate regimes: Regime A (1950–1990) is characterized by small trend magnitudes; Regime B (1990–2009) exhibited enhanced trends; and Regime C (2009–2014) with significantly larger trend magnitudes. The salinity differences between regime means were around 0.01. The trend acceleration could be related to an enhanced global hydrological cycle or to a change in the sampling methodology.
Prevalence and associations of symptomatic renal papillary necrosis in sickle cell anemia patients in South-Eastern Nigeria.

AIM To assess the prevalence and associations of symptomatic renal papillary necrosis (RPN) in sickle cell anemia patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS The case notes of homozygous hemoglobin (Hb) S patients diagnosed with RPN were retrospectively assessed. Diagnosis was based on microscopic hematuria and positive ultrasound findings. Their steady state diastolic blood pressure, Hb, leukocyte count, platelet count, serum direct bilirubin, and aspartate transaminase, were obtained by automated analyzers. These were evaluated for any relationship with the occurrence of RPN. RESULTS Two hundred and twenty patients were assessed aged 6-55 years with a median age of 24 years. The prevalence of symptomatic RPN was found to be 2.3%. RPN was positively associated with the female gender (Chi-square P value 0.001), but not with any other clinical or laboratory variable. However, other predictors of disease severity were positively associated with RPN such as age, diastolic blood pressure 0.180 (P = 0.016), serum aspartate transaminase, serum bilirubin 0.145 (0.027), Hb, and leukocyte count - 0.155 (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION The prevalence of symptomatic RPN is low in this group of homozygous S patients and occurs more commonly in females. Improvement in care for these patients will reduce these chronic complications.
Structural and Predictive Properties of the Emotional Quotient Inventory Youth Version–Short Form (EQ-i:YV[S])

ABSTRACT Emotional intelligence (EI) is a popular construct with concentrated areas of application in education and health contexts. There is a need for reliable and valid measurement of EI in young people, with brief yet sensitive measures of the construct preferable for use in time-limited settings. However, the proliferation of EI measures has often outpaced rigorous psychometric evaluation (Gignac, 2009). Using data from 849 adolescents (407 females, 422 males) aged 11 to 16 years (M age 13.4, SD = 1.2 years), this article systematically examines the structural and predictive properties of a frequently employed measure of adolescent trait EI—the Emotional Quotient Inventory Youth Version–Short Form (EQ-i:YV[S]); Bar-On & Parker, 2000). Although the intended multidimensional factor structure was recovered through confirmatory factor analysis, the statistical and conceptual coherency of the underlying model was inadequate. Using a multitrait–multimethod approach, the EQ-i:YV(S) was found to converge with other measures of EI; however, evidence for divergent validity (Big Five personality dimensions) was less robust. Predictive utility for adolescent mental health outcomes (depression, disruptive behavior) was also limited. Findings suggest that use of the EQ-i:YV(S) for predictive or evaluative purposes should be avoided until refinements to the scale are made.
High risk exposure to HIV among sexually active individuals who tested negative on rapid HIV Tests in the Tshwane District of South Africa—The importance of behavioural prevention measures

Objective To assess the prevalence of HIV risk behaviour among sexually active HIV sero-negative individuals in the Tshwane district of South Africa (SA). Methods Demographic and HIV risk behaviour data were collected on a questionnaire from participants of a cross-sectional study that screened for early HIV infection using pooled nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). The study enrolled individuals who tested negative on rapid HIV tests performed at five HIV counseling and testing (HCT) clinics, which included four antenatal clinics and one general HCT clinic. Results The study enrolled 9547 predominantly black participants (96.6%) with a median age of 27 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 23–31). There were 1661 non-pregnant and 7886 pregnant participants largely enrolled from the general and antenatal HCT clinics, respectively. NAAT detected HIV infection in 61 participants (0.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4–0.8) in the whole study. A high proportion of study participants, 62.8% and 63.0%, were unaware of their partner’s HIV status; and also had high prevalence, 88.5% and 99.5%, of recent unprotected sex in the general and pregnant population, respectively. Consistent use of condoms was associated with protection against HIV infection in the general population. Trends of higher odds for HIV infection were observed with most demographic and HIV risk factors at univariate analysis, however, multivariate analysis did not show statistical significance for almost all these factors. A significantly lower risk of HIV infection was observed in circumcised men (p <0.001). Conclusions These data show that a large segment of sexually active people in the Tshwane district of SA have high risk exposure to HIV. The detection of newly diagnosed HIV infections in all study clinics reflects a wide distribution of individuals who are capable of sustaining HIV transmission in the setting where HIV risk behaviour is highly prevalent. A questionnaire that captures HIV risk behaviour would be useful during HIV counselling and testing to ensure that there is a systematic way of identifying HIV risk factors and that counselling is optimised for each individual. HIV risk behaviour surveillance could be used to inform relevant HIV prevention interventions that could be implemented at a community or population level.
A Simple Parallel and Distributed Sampling Technique: Local Glauber Dynamics

\emph{Sampling} constitutes an important tool in a variety of areas: from machine learning and combinatorial optimization to computational physics and biology. A central class of sampling algorithms is the \emph{Markov Chain Monte Carlo} method, based on the construction of a Markov chain with the desired sampling distribution as its stationary distribution. Many of the traditional Markov chains, such as the \emph{Glauber dynamics}, do not scale well with increasing dimension. To address this shortcoming, we propose a simple local update rule based on the Glauber dynamics that leads to efficient parallel and distributed algorithms for sampling from Gibbs distributions. Concretely, we present a Markov chain that mixes in $O(\log n)$ rounds when Dobrushin's condition for the Gibbs distribution is satisfied. This improves over the \emph{LubyGlauber} algorithm by Feng, Sun, and Yin [PODC'17], which needs $O(\Delta \log n)$ rounds, and their \emph{LocalMetropolis} algorithm, which converges in $O(\log n)$ rounds but requires a considerably stronger mixing condition. Here, $n$ denotes the number of nodes in the graphical model inducing the Gibbs distribution, and $\Delta$ its maximum degree. In particular, our method can sample a uniform proper coloring with $(2+\eps)\Delta$ colors in $O(\log n)$ rounds, for any constant $\eps >0$, which almost matches the threshold of the sequential Glauber dynamics and improves on the $(2 +\sqrt{2}+\eps)\Delta$ threshold of Feng et al.
Predicting prey capture rates of southern elephant seals from track and dive parameters

In the marine environment, track and dive parameter data (obtained using Argos or GPS tags and time-depth recorders) are commonly used to provide proxies for foraging behaviour of marine predators. However, their accuracy is rarely assessed. Recently, the addition of head- mounted accelerometers has allowed for detection of prey capture attempts (PCAs) at sea, allow- ing for more accurate estimations of foraging behaviour. Despite increased numbers of such devices being deployed, their use is still marginal compared with other tools which measure track and dive parameters. The objectives of our study were (1) to identify the most relevant combina- tion of tracking and diving metrics in predicting the frequency of PCAs in female southern ele- phant seals Mirounga leonina from the Kerguelen Islands, and (2) to apply it to a broader range of individuals for which only tracking and diving data were available. The results of our models were consistent with the optimal foraging theory as well as the optimal diving theory. The model with the best predictive performance was the one that combined both tracking and diving information. However, most of the variability in the number of PCAs could be solely explained by changes in the diving behaviour of seals. Finally, we used the best predictive model on 20 individuals, which had not been fitted with accelerometers, to determine their main foraging zones. The behavioural indicators established in this study constitute a useful ecological tool for population monitoring and conservation purposes.
Narrative strategy for an approach to the process of death

: Objectives : Based on teaching experience of reflective practice, we aim to explore the description about personal experiences around death in second degree nursing students. We intend to understand the environment process of death, and its importance in nursing care. Methods : Qualitative study with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Participants in this study were students of “Therapeutic communication” recruited in the classroom, during the 2 nd lesson of the subject. Participation was voluntary and each student could choose between 4 different topics. Data was collected using reflective writing. The texts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with semantic approach. Results: Several units of meaning were identified and subsequently grouped in 8 categories where 6 different topics emerged: Impact of the notice; Farewell; Evocation; Coping; Beliefs and values; Personal growth. Conclusions : Raising awareness of own experiences in the process of death can help to define relevant aspects that may improve professional care. The recognition of the behaviors observed during the grieving process contributes to optimize the sensitive accompaniment of people in processes around death. The pedagogical chronicle, as a teaching strategy, is useful in nursing education given that allows the comprehension of the significance and impact of complex situations. Reflection on the lived experiences and contrasting them with the literature allows guiding the process of comprehensive care. ABSTRACT: Objectives : Based on teaching experience of reflective practice, we aim to explore the description about personal experiences around death in second degree nursing students. We intend to understand the environment process of death, and its importance in nursing care. Methods : Qualitative study with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Participants in this study were students of “Therapeutic communication” recruited in the classroom, during the 2 nd lesson of the subject. Participation was voluntary and each student could choose between 4 different topics. Data was collected using reflective writing. The texts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with semantic approach. Results: Several units of meaning were identified and subsequently grouped in 8 categories where 6 different topics emerged: Impact of the notice; Farewell; Evocation; Coping; Beliefs and values; Personal growth. Conclusions : Raising awareness of own experiences in the process of death can help to define relevant aspects that may improve professional care. The recognition of the behaviors observed during the grieving process contributes to optimize the sensitive accompaniment of people in processes around death. The pedagogical chronicle, as a teaching strategy, is useful in nursing education given that allows the comprehension of the significance and impact of complex situations. Reflection on the lived experiences and contrasting them with the literature allows guiding the process of comprehensive care.
Validation of the Simple Shoulder Test in a Portuguese-Brazilian Population. Is the Latent Variable Structure and Validation of the Simple Shoulder Test Stable across Cultures?

Background The validation of widely used scales facilitates the comparison across international patient samples. The objective of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Simple Shoulder Test into Brazilian Portuguese. Also we test the stability of factor analysis across different cultures. Objective The objective of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Simple Shoulder Test into Brazilian Portuguese. Also we test the stability of factor analysis across different cultures. Methods The Simple Shoulder Test was translated from English into Brazilian Portuguese, translated back into English, and evaluated for accuracy by an expert committee. It was then administered to 100 patients with shoulder conditions. Psychometric properties were analyzed including factor analysis, internal reliability, test-retest reliability at seven days, and construct validity in relation to the Short Form 36 health survey (SF-36). Results Factor analysis demonstrated a three factor solution. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.82. Test-retest reliability index as measured by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.84. Associations were observed in the hypothesized direction with all subscales of SF-36 questionnaire. Conclusion The Simple Shoulder Test translation and cultural adaptation to Brazilian-Portuguese demonstrated adequate factor structure, internal reliability, and validity, ultimately allowing for its use in the comparison with international patient samples.
Challenging the Inevitability of Prostate Enlargement: Low Levels of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Among Tsimane Forager-Horticulturalists.

BACKGROUND Often considered an inevitable part of male aging, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common non-life threatening disease to affect men in Western populations. We examine age-related change in prostate size and BPH risk and related serum biomarkers among the Tsimane Amerindians of the Bolivian Amazon who live a traditional lifestyle of hunting and small-scale horticulture. The Tsimane are a critical case study for understanding the etiology of BPH as they have low levels of obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as lower levels of testosterone than age matched U.S. males, factors associated with BPH in previous research. METHODS Ultrasounds were conducted on 348 men aged 28-89 years (median age 56 years). Testosterone, prostate specific antigen, sex hormone binding globulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin were examined in relationship to prostate size and BPH. RESULTS Tsimane have less than half of the BPH prevalence experienced by U.S. men, and prostate volumes 62.6% smaller. While Tsimane have low levels of testosterone and subclinical levels of metabolic syndrome compared to U.S. men, Tsimane with high testosterone were more likely to experience BPH, as were those with higher glycosylated hemoglobin, suggesting targets for clinical interventions to reduce BPH. CONCLUSIONS These results have clinical significance for the growing number of men taking testosterone supplementation; even at low levels the additional testosterone exposure could be placing these men at higher risk of BPH. Overall, these data suggest that BPH may not have been an inevitable part of male aging throughout human evolutionary history.
Collateral Crises

Short-term collateralized debt, such as demand deposits and money market instruments - private money, is efficient if agents are willing to lend without producing costly information about the collateral backing the debt. When the economy relies on such informationally-insensitive debt, firms with low quality collateral can borrow, generating a credit boom and an increase in output and consumption. Financial fragility builds up over time as information about counter-parties decays. A crisis occurs when a small shock then causes a large change in the information environment. Agents suddenly have incentives to produce information, asymmetric information becomes a threat and there is a decline in output and consumption. A social planner would produce more information than private agents, but would not always want to eliminate fragility.
Kernel machine methods for integrative analysis of genome‐wide methylation and genotyping studies

Many large GWAS consortia are expanding to simultaneously examine the joint role of DNA methylation in addition to genotype in the same subjects. However, integrating information from both data types is challenging. In this paper, we propose a composite kernel machine regression model to test the joint epigenetic and genetic effect. Our approach works at the gene level, which allows for a common unit of analysis across different data types. The model compares the pairwise similarities in the phenotype to the pairwise similarities in the genotype and methylation values; and high correspondence is suggestive of association. A composite kernel is constructed to measure the similarities in the genotype and methylation values between pairs of samples. We demonstrate through simulations and real data applications that the proposed approach can correctly control type I error, and is more robust and powerful than using only the genotype or methylation data in detecting trait‐associated genes. We applied our method to investigate the genetic and epigenetic regulation of gene expression in response to stressful life events using data that are collected from the Grady Trauma Project. Within the kernel machine testing framework, our methods allow for heterogeneity in effect sizes, nonlinear, and interactive effects, as well as rapid P‐value computation.
International Stock Return Comovements

We examine international stock return comovements using country-industry and country-style portfolios. We first establish that parsimonious risk-based factor models capture the covariance structure of the data better than the popular Heston-Rouwenhorst (1994) model. We then establish the following stylized facts regarding stock return comovements. First, we do not find evidence for an upward trend in return correlations, excpet for the European stock markets. Second, the increasing imporatnce of industry factors relative to country factors was a short-lived, temporary phenomenon. Third, we find no evidence for a trend in idiosyncratic risk in any of the countries we examine.