Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability Bounds for Non-i.i.d. Processes

The notion of algorithmic stability has been used effectively in the past to derive tight generalization bounds. A key advantage of these bounds is that they are designed for specific learning algorithms, exploiting their particular properties. But, as in much of learning theory, existing stability analyses and bounds apply only in the scenario where the samples are independently and identically distributed (i.i.d.). In many machine learning applications, however, this assumption does not hold. The observations received by the learning algorithm often have some inherent temporal dependence, which is clear in system diagnosis or time series prediction problems. This paper studies the scenario where the observations are drawn from a stationary mixing sequence, which implies a dependence between observations that weaken over time. It proves novel stability-based generalization bounds that hold even with this more general setting. These bounds strictly generalize the bounds given in the i.i. d. case. It also illustrates their application in the case of several general classes of learning algorithms, including Support Vector Regression and Kernel Ridge Regression.
Brinzolamide-timolol suspension: acceptability and side effect profile

Background: This study aimed to determine the frequency, nature, and impact of side effects associated with the use of brinzolamide-timolol suspension, a topical ocular antihypertensive preparation. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 76 consecutive patients attending the Sunderland Eye Infirmary Glaucoma Service who were using the brinzolamide-timolol suspension. The questions related specifically to effects on daily life, blurring of vision, stinging, irritation, and acceptability compared with any drops previously used. Respondents were asked to grade their answers to these questions using a numerical scale from 0 to 10. Results: Seventy-six patients (100%) responded, comprising 58 females and 18 males, aged 68–95 years, treated for 3–7 months. Quality of life was not significantly affected, with the majority of patients recording a response between 0 and 2. Visual blurring was a more prominent feature, with the most common scores being 3 and 4. Stinging did not appear to be a prominent feature, with 0 as the most common response. Similarly, irritation was not a common finding, with most respondents scoring 0 and 1. Finally, the brinzolamide-timolol suspension compared favorably with previously used drops, with the vast majority of patients expressing a preference for this suspension over other topical medications. Conclusion: Brinzolamide-timolol suspension appears to be a well tolerated and acceptable medication, with minimal effect on patient quality of life.
A hybrid particle swarm with velocity mutation for constraint optimization problems

Two approaches for solving numerical continuous domain constrained optimization problems are proposed and experimented with. The first approach is based on particle swarm optimization algorithm with a new mutation operator in its velocity updating rule. Also, a gradient mutation is proposed and incorporated into the algorithm. This algorithm uses ε-level constraint handling method. The second approach is based on covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy with the same method for handling constraints. It is experimentally shown that the first approach needs less number of function evaluations than the second one to find a feasible solution while the second approach is more effective in optimizing the objective value. Thus, a hybrid approach is proposed (third approach) which uses the first approach for locating potentially different feasible solutions and the second approach for further improving the solutions found so far. Also, a multi-swarm mechanism is used in which several instances of the first approach are run to locate potentially different feasible solutions. The proposed hybrid approach is applied to 18 standard constrained optimization benchmarks with up to 30 dimensions. Comparisons with two other state-of-the-art approaches show that the hybrid approach performs better in terms of finding feasible solutions and minimizing the objective function.
Computerized cry analysis in infants affected by severe protein energy malnutrition

A new method of computerized cry analysis has been utilized to evaluate the cries of infants affected by severe protein energy malnutrition. We studied 17 Kenian babies affected by severe malnutrition for more than four months (9 cases of marasmus and 8 of kwashiorkor) and a control group of 17 well‐nourished babies. The cries of the malnourished children showed lower inter‐utterance variability, formants' frequencies and cry score. assigned by the Infant Cry Modulation Assessment Scale. The melodic pattern was more often flat, rising or falling‐rising, when compared to the cries of the well‐nourished babies. We hypothesize that these differences reflect the state of brain damage associated with protein energy malnutrition. No differences were found between the cries of infants affected by marasmus and those affected by kwashiorkor, between the cries recorded before and after nutritional therapy and between the first cries of malnourished children who subsequently died during hospitalization and those of infants who survived.
Increasing Transparency Through a Multiverse Analysis

Empirical research inevitably includes constructing a data set by processing raw data into a form ready for statistical analysis. Data processing often involves choices among several reasonable options for excluding, transforming, and coding data. We suggest that instead of performing only one analysis, researchers could perform a multiverse analysis, which involves performing all analyses across the whole set of alternatively processed data sets corresponding to a large set of reasonable scenarios. Using an example focusing on the effect of fertility on religiosity and political attitudes, we show that analyzing a single data set can be misleading and propose a multiverse analysis as an alternative practice. A multiverse analysis offers an idea of how much the conclusions change because of arbitrary choices in data construction and gives pointers as to which choices are most consequential in the fragility of the result.
The Process of Probability Problem Solving: Use of External Visual Representations

We investigate the role of external inscriptions, particularly those of a spatial or visual nature, in the solution of probability word problems. We define a taxonomy of external visual representations used in probability problem solving that includes pictures, spatial reorganization of the given information, outcome listings, contingency tables, Venn diagrams, trees, and novel graphical representations. We also propose a process model for probability problem solving (PPS) and use it as a framework to better understand how and why external visual representations are used. In a study of 34 novice probability problem solvers, participants worked to solve six probability word problems covering six probability subtopics. Both written and verbal structured interview protocols were analyzed to investigate when and how external visual representations are spontaneously used by problem solvers. Analyses of the coded transcripts showed that participants' probability problem-solving efforts move through the stages of PPS in a sequential but not always linear manner, sometimes exhibiting iterated attempts to represent the problem mathematically and to find a solution strategy. Results showed that use of specific external visual representations was associated with specific probability topics, and that certain choices of representation are associated with higher rates of solution success. These findings suggest that an external visual representation can facilitate probability problem solving, but only when an appropriate representation is chosen. Finally, we present evidence to show that external visual representations are usually created and first used during the stages of representing the problem mathematically and finding a solution strategy. However, pictures are often created during the initial stage of problem text understanding, and tables are sometimes created during computation of the solution.
Cultural dimensions of decision making: Denmark and France compared

In spite of decades of focus on decision making and decades of research on cross‐cultural management, few authors have devoted attention to the combination of decision making and specific cultural settings. The focus of this paper is the decision‐making processes in French and Danish companies. Results from empirical data indicate that there are clear differences in the ways decisions are arrived at in terms of how managers emphasize different phases of the decision‐making process. The analysis also shows what happens when different stages become the responsibility of people in different roles within the organisation. In the analysis, the importance of decision rationality is discussed, and the different cultural styles are linked to the classical theories in decision making such as economic man, administrative man, and muddling through. Since these are found inadequate to characterize French and Danish actual behaviour, new models are suggested under the labels of emotional man and action man.
Role of Cenosphere Addition on Dielectric Properties of Sisal Fiber-Polypropylene Composites

This research investigates the influence of addition of porous additives on dielectric constant of polypropylene. Composite composed of PP matrix with sisal fiber having cylindrical pores and cenospheres having spherical pore, presents low dielectric constant. A new relation concerning porosity is proposed by modifying the usual mixing rule to predict the dielectric constant of PP composite. This research presents the dielectric properties of sisal fiber-reinforced PP composites with and with out cenospheres. Treated and untreated cenospheres with different concentration were loaded in chopped sisal fiber-reinforced polypropylene. The loading of the polypropylene with the sisal fiber, increases the dielectric constant ε′ and improves the ac conductivity σac. The effect of temperature on the dielectric spectrum of polypropylene composites was investigated in the frequency range ranging from 1–10 kHz. Sisal fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites having 20% sisal fiber with and without cenospheres were developed and electrical properties such as dielectric constant (ϵ′), dissipation factor (tanδ) and ac conductivity (σac) of these composites were determined. Dielectric constant, tan δ, and a.c. conductivity increases with increase in temperature at different frequencies.
Differences between left- and right-handers in approach/avoidance motivation: influence of consistency of handedness measures

Hand preference is often viewed as a troublesome variable in psychological research, with left-handers routinely excluded from studies. Contrary to this, a body of evidence has shown hand preference to be a useful variable when examining human behavior. A recent review argues that the most effective way of using handedness as a variable, is a comparison between individuals who use their dominant hand for virtually all manual activities (consistent handers) versus those who use their other hand for at least one activity (inconsistent handers). The authors contend that researchers should only focus on degree of handedness rather than direction of preference (left versus right). However, we argue that the field suffers from a number of methodological and empirical issues. These include a lack of consensus in choice of cut-off point to divide consistent and inconsistent categories and importantly a paucity of data from left-handers. Consequentially, researchers predominantly compare inconsistent versus consistent right-handers, largely linked to memory, cognition and language. Other research on response style and personality measures shows robust direction of handedness effects. The present study examines both strength and direction of handedness on self-reported behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS) scores, using evidence from a large (N = 689) dataset including more than 200 left-handers. There were degree of handedness effects on BIS and BAS-Fun Seeking, but effects are largely driven by differences between consistent left-handers and other groups. Choice of cut-off point substantively influenced results, and suggests that unless a suitable sample of left-handers is included, researchers clarify that their degree of handedness effects are applicable only to right-handers. We concur that strength of hand preference is an important variable but caution that differences related to consistency may not be identical in right and left-handers.
Effect of Midazolam Premedication on the Dose of Propofol for Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion in Children

Background: The present study was conducted on 120 pediatric patients of ASA Grade I and II of either sex aged 3-12 years scheduled for pediatric surgeries under general anaesthesia. Patients & Methods: All patients were randomly divided into Group A and Group B. Group A was further divided into 3 subgroups of unpremedicated patients who received 3, 4 and 5 mg kg -1 propofol only designated as A1, A2 and A3 respectively. Group B was further divided into subgroups of premedicated patients with midazolam (0.05 mg kg -1 ) intravenous and received 3, 4 and 5 mg kg -1 propofol designated as B1, B2 and B3 respectively. Results: Results showed that increasing dose of propofol decreases the adverse events like inadequate jaw relaxation, limb movements, coughing, gagging and laryngospasm. Midazolam when added to propofol further reduces the incidence of adverse events and provides more favorable environment for insertion of LMA. At higher doses of propofol (5 mg kg -1 ), hypotension is a major problem due to its cardiovascular depressant action. Therefore, 4 mg kg -1 propofol along with midazolam is the optimum dose because there is more hemodynamic stability and we get better conditions for LMA insertion. Conclusion: Midazolam is an effective premedication in children which is synergistic with propofol and reduces its effective dose, required for LMA insertion.
CLINICAL PREDICTORS OF SEIZURE THRESHOLD IN BILATERAL ECT

Research on determinants of ECT seizure threshold is inadequate. In view of differences in ECT populations and confounding factors, there is a need for examining this in our population. Consecutive consenting inpatients (N=100), referred for bilateral (BL) ECT by treating psychiatrists at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Hospital, Bangalore, formed the sample for the study. Thiopentone, succinylcholine and atropine were used for modification. Seizure threshold (dependent variable) was determined by titration method at the first ECT. The independent variables were age, gender, diagnosis, illness severity (Clinical Global Impression; CGI), concurrent drugs, head circumference (HC) and inion-nasion distance (IND). Age, IND and CGI severity predicted seizure threshold in forward, stepwise, linear regression model.
Experimental Investigation on the Effects of Narrow Junction Temperature Cycles on Die-Attach Solder Layer in an IGBT Module

This paper presents a series of experiment results on the ageing effects of cyclic junction temperature variations (ΔTj) of low amplitudes in power modules, to help the capturing of module reliability characteristics and the derivation of lifetime models in the future. Power cycling tests, for nonaged and aged modules, are designed to illustrate the failure mechanisms. Insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules in actual converters are usually operated in a ΔTj range up to 40 °C; therefore, tests are carried out to observe the effects of such narrow ΔTj stress cycles on the module lifetime. It is found that the relatively minor stress cycles may not be able to directly initiate a crack but can contribute to the development of damage in the die attach solder layer due to stress concentration. Finite element analysis modeling is utilized to verify the stress concentration effect. The experiment results show that the effects of the narrow ΔTj stress cycles are affected by the ageing status of the module and the stress level itself.
Dissecting the structure of a partially folded protein. Circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance studies of peptides from ubiquitin.

The nature and interaction of structural elements in a partially ordered form of ubiquitin, the A-state, which is populated at low pH in 40 to 60% aqueous methanol, have been investigated. Two synthetic peptides have been studied under the same conditions: U(1-21), corresponding to the N-terminal beta-hairpin in the native (N) and A-states of ubiquitin and U(1-35), which includes this hairpin plus an alpha-helix. Circular dichroism studies indicate that, although these peptides are largely unfolded in water, their structural content in 30 and 60% methanol is comparable with the corresponding native secondary structure. Sequence-specific assignments of the 1H n.m. r. spectra of U(1-35) in aqueous methanol and subsequent secondary structure determination confirm the conservation in detail of native-like secondary structure. Corresponding resonances in spectra of U(1-35), U(1-21) and the A-state itself were found to have closely similar chemical shifts, suggesting that the beta-hairpin exists independently in the partially folded protein, with little or no influence from the rest of the molecule. This is confirmed by the virtual absence in nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy and rotating frame nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy spectra of nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects between structural elements. c.d. and n.m. r. evidence suggests that structure in the C-terminal half of the molecule in the A-state is largely non-native. Thus, although methanol is necessary to assure its stability in the absence of wider native interactions, the structure of the beta-hairpin, including the register of its hydrogen bonding, appears to be determined entirely by its own sequence. This intrinsic structural preference in the first part of the ubiquitin sequence is much stronger than in the C-terminal half, a conclusion reflected in the results from a variety of secondary structure prediction algorithms.
Interference alignment and the generalized degrees of freedom of the X channel

We study the sum capacity of the X channel generalization of the symmetric 2-user interference channel. In this X channel, there are 4 independent messages, one from each transmitter to each receiver. We characterize the sum capacity of a deterministic version of this channel, and obtain the generalized degrees of freedom characterization for the Gaussian version. The regime where the X channel outperforms the underlying interference channel is explicitly identified, and an interesting interference alignment scheme based on a cyclic decomposition of the signal space is shown to be optimal in this regime.
In Defense of Pseudorandom Sample Selection

Generation of random numbers is a critical component of existing post-election auditing techniques. Recent work has largely discouraged the use of all pseudo-random number generators, including cryptographically secure pseudorandom number generators (CSPRNGs), for this purpose, instead recommending the sole use of observable physical techniques. In particular, simple dice rolling has received a great deal of positive attention [4, 6, 9]. The typical justification for this recommendation is that those less comfortable with mathematics prefer a simple, observable technique. This paper takes a contrary view. Simple, observable techniques like dice rolling are not necessarily robust against sleight of hand and other forms of fraud, and attempts to harden them against fraud can dramatically increase their complexity. With simple dice rolling, we know of no techniques that provide citizens with a reasonable means of verifying that fraud did not occur during the roll process. CSPRNGs, used properly, can be simple, robust, and verifiable, and they allow for the use of auditing techniques that might otherwise be impractical. While we understand initial skepticism towards this option, we argue that appropriate use of CSPRNGs would strengthen audit security.
Treatment of traumatic unstable thoracolumbar junction fractures with transpedicular screw fixation.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of transpedicular screw fixation in neurological recovery and pain control in thoracolumbar junction injuries. METHOD This audit was carried out in the Neurosurgery Department of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar from November 2008 to April 2010. Written informed consent was taken from all patients. Detail history, clinical examination, x-ray dorsolumbar spine (or CT scan dorsolumbar spine) and MRI dorsolumbar spine were done in all cases. Neurological status was assessed using the Frankel grading for spinal cord injury. Post traumatic unstable thoracolumbar junction fractures were included in this study. Open fractures, fractures with significant kyphotic deformity, fractures with anterior retropulsed fragments, multiple level fractures requiring long segment fixation, pedicles fractures and pathological fractures were excluded from study. The short-segment transpedicular fixation was performed in all patients. Effect of transpedicular screw fixation on pain relief was measured by improvement in Dennis pain scale. History of pain relief and neurological assessments of patients were done on each follow up visit. The data was analyzed in SPSS 16.0. RESULTS Transpedicular screw fixation was performed in 80 patients including 55 males and 25 females. Mean age was 35 +/- 6.75 years (range 15-61 years). The level of injuries were D11 = 6 (7%) cases, D12 = 13 (16%) cases, L1 = 40 (50%) cases, L2 = 15 (19%) cases, D12 & L1 = 6 (8%) cases. There were 43 (54%) Wedge fractures, 9 (11%) fracture subluxations, burst fracture in 14 (17%), translational injuries in 8 (10%) while distraction injuries in 6 (8%) cases. Pre operative neurological status according to Frankel grading was: grade A, 48 (60%) cases, grade B 12 (15%) cases, grade C 6 (7%) cases, grade D 4 (5%) cases and grade E 10 (13%) cases. Six months post operatively, there were 16 (20%) cases in grade A, grade B 34 (42.5%) cases, grade C 16 (20%) cases, grade D 4 (5%) cases and grade E 10 (12.5%) cases. Pain control was assessed by improvement in Dennis pain scale. Pre operatively there was no patient in P1, 4 (5%) patients in P2, 16 (20%) in P3, 24 (30%) in P4 and 36 (45%) in P5. Six months later there were 56 (70%) patients in P1,16 (20%) in P2, 4 (5%) in P3 and 4 (5%) patients in P4.There was no patient in P5. CONCLUSION Thoracolumbar junction injuries are common in young male patients. Transpedicular screw fixation is useful choice for achieving better neurological recovery and good pain control in traumatic thoracolumbar fractures.