Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-Adaptive Learning PSO-Based Deadline Constrained Task Scheduling for Hybrid IaaS Cloud

Public clouds provide Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to users who do not own sufficient compute resources. IaaS achieves the economy of scale by multiplexing, and therefore faces the challenge of scheduling tasks to meet the peak demand while preserving Quality-of-Service (QoS). Previous studies proposed proactive machine purchasing or cloud federation to resolve this problem. However, the former is not economic and the latter for now is hardly feasible in practice. In this paper, we propose a resource allocation framework in which an IaaS provider can outsource its tasks to External Clouds (ECs) when its own resources are not sufficient to meet the demand. This architecture does not require any formal inter-cloud agreement that is necessary for the cloud federation. The key issue is how to allocate users' tasks to maximize the profit of IaaS provider while guaranteeing QoS. This problem is formulated as an integer programming (IP) model, and solved by a self-adaptive learning particle swarm optimization (SLPSO)-based scheduling approach. In SLPSO, four updating strategies are used to adaptively update the velocity of each particle to ensure its diversity and robustness. Experiments show that, SLPSO can improve a cloud provider's profit by 0.25%-11.56% compared with standard PSO; and by 2.37%-16.71% for problems of nontrivial size compared with CPLEX under reasonable computation time.
Coping with Events in Temporal Relational Databases

Event relations are used in many temporal relational database approaches to represent facts occurring at time instants. However, to the best of our knowledge, none of such approaches fully copes with the definition of events as provided, e.g., by the “consensus” temporal database glossary. We propose a new approach which overcomes such a limitation, allowing one to cope with multiple events occurring in the same temporal granule. This move involves major extensions to current approaches, since indeterminacy about the time and number of occurrences of events need to be faced. Specifically, we have introduced a new data model, and new definitions of relational algebraic operators coping with the above issues, and we have studied their reducibility. Last, but not least, we have shown that our approach can be easily extended in order to cope with a general form of temporal indeterminacy. Such an extension further increases the applicability of our approach.
Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms and a Combined Heuristic for Route Reconnection Applied to Multicast Flow Routing

Multicast transmission corresponds to send data to several destinations often involving requirements of Quality of Service (QoS) and Traffic Engineering (TE). This work investigates new evolutionary models to tackle Multicast Flow Routing in a Pareto multiobjective perspective. Two multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (SPEA and SPEA2) were applied as the underlying search of such models. QoS and TE requirements are also considered in the route calculus by optimizing four objectives - maximum link utilization, total cost, maximum end-to-end delay and hops count - attending a link capacity constraint. Besides, three heuristics for subtrees reconnection to be used on crossover and mutation operators are investigated. The first heuristic uses a shortest path algorithm to improve the convergence; the second one employs a random search to reconnect subtrees into a valid route and the third one mixes the other two combining the good skills of each one. The resultant evolutionary environments were evaluated using four multiobjective metrics: two for convergence and two for diversity. SPEA2 reached better results than SPEA on the vast majority cases. The design of crossover and mutation operators that provide more diversity lead to very good improvements on both multiobjective goals - convergence and diversity - being that the heuristic which combines random and shortest path reconnections and returned the best results.
Football-induced fatigue in hypoxia impairs repeated sprint ability and perceptual-cognitive skills

ABSTRACT Purpose:Investigate football-induced fatigue during hypoxia on RS and perceptual-cognitive skills. Methods: Ten semi-professional footballers underwent a control session (0-m) to quantify RS in a non-fatigued state; and three hypoxia sessions (0-m;1500-m;3000-m) examining RS and perceptual-cognitive skills for a given physical workload. The mean number of correct responses (%) for anticipation and decision-making accuracy were obtained at the 30-min mark of each half. HR, TC, RPE and %O2sat were measured during warm-up, football-induced fatigue and RS test. Results: HR, RPE and %O2sat were different between conditions (ES=0.44-6.13). RS were affected by football-induced fatigue for DC (4.8%;ES=0.68) and AV (5.5%;ES=0.79). In hypoxia, a 6.5% was found for DC, 6.3% for AV and 3.1% for PV at 1500-m compared to 0-m (P<0.05). Further significant changes of 12.8% DC, 12.8% AV and 6.2% PV (P<0.0005) were found at 3000-m compared to 0-m. More pronounced declines in perceptual-cognitive skills were found as altitude increased (5.0-12.5%;ES=1.17-2.41) and between halves (5.3-6.7%). Conclusion: The data demonstrates the RS test was sensitive to fatigue/hypoxia for a given physical load. Simulated matches in hypoxia revealed larger decreases, in RS and perceptual-cognitive skills, highlighting the need for optimal acclimatisation strategies, including physical and technical preparation, prior to playing at altitude.
Monocyte-derived dendritic cells promote T follicular helper cell differentiation

To be effective, protein priming must induce the development of a distinct lineage of CD4+ T cells named T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, which regulate the differentiation of high‐affinity memory B cells and long‐lived plasma cells. In this context, we tested how adjuvantation with CpG, the Toll‐like receptor 9 agonist used in clinics, contributes to antigen‐specific T‐cell‐dependent B‐cell responses in vivo. We found that addition of CpG to other vaccine adjuvant increased the differentiation of antigen‐specific Tfh cells without changing the overall magnitude of the T‐cell response. This phenomenon correlated with an enhancement of the germinal centre reaction, antigen‐specific plasma cells and circulating antibodies. We comprehensively demonstrated that, in addition to the classical Tfh‐cell differentiation mediated by conventional DC, the promoting effect due to CpG was orchestrated in vivo by antigen presentation and IL‐6 secreted by monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (DC) as shown in their absence. Thus, while conventional DC initiate T‐cell responses, targeting monocyte‐derived DC specifically enhances the Tfh programme needed to regulate high‐affinity B‐cell protection in vivo.
3D-shape-based retrieval within the MPEG-7 framework

Because of the continuous development of multimedia technologies, virtual worlds and augmented reality, 3D contents become a common feature of the today information systems. Hence, standardizing tools for content-based indexing of visual data is a key issue for computer vision related applications. Within the framework of the future MPEG-7 standard, tools for intelligent content-based access to 3D information, targeting applications such as search and retrieval and browsing of 3D model databases, have been recently considered and evaluated. In this paper, we present the 3D Shape Spectrum Descriptor (3D SSD), recently adopted within the current MPEG-7 Committee Draft (CD). The proposed descriptor aims at providing an intrinsic shape description of a 3D mesh and is defined as the distribution of the shape index over the entire mesh. The shape index is a local geometric attribute of a 3D surface, expressed as the angular coordinate of a polar representation of the principal curvature vector. Experimental results have been carried out upon the MPEG-7 3D model database consisting of about 1300 meshes in VRML 2.0 format. Objective retrieval results, based upon the definition of a ground truth subset, are reported in terms of Bull Eye Percentage (BEP) score.
Human origin of Bacteroides fragilis bacteriophages present in the environment

Bacteroides fragilis HSP40 phages have been detected in waters with various levels of fecal contamination of human origin. The average numbers of B. fragilis phages present in sewage water reached 5.3 x 10(3) per 100 ml of water. We found a number 1,000 times lower in a river contaminated with domestic sewage only, in which the levels of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci were 10,000 times lower than those found in raw sewage. In addition, B. fragilis phages were not found in significant numbers in slaughterhouse wastewaters. They were not present in fecal-polluted waters containing fecal contamination from wildlife only. Although the number of B. fragilis phages present in contaminated waters was lower than the number of coliphages, their presence indicated human fecal contamination. It is also shown that Bacteroides phages are only able to multiply under anaerobic conditions in the presence of nutrients, and they cannot multiply in natural waters and sediments.
An Improved Residue to Binary Converter

An efficient algorithm, which converts residue numbers, modulo (2n+1, 2n, 2n-1), into an equivalent binary number, is proposed; the algorithm improves on a previously published technique. A novel hardware implementation is also discussed. In comparison with two previously published converters, the proposed converter provides at least a 40% hardware saving and a 45% reduction in the delay.
ASCA observations of two steep soft X-ray quasars

Steep soft X-ray (0.1-2 keV) quasars share several unusual properties: narrow Balmer lines, strong FeII emission, large and fast X-ray variability, rather steep 2-10 keV spectrum. These intriguing objects have been suggested to be the analogs of Galactic black hole candidates in the high, soft state. We present here results from ASCA observations for two of these quasars: NAB0205+024 and PG1244+026. Both objects show similar variations (factor of about 2 in 10 ks), despite a factor of about ten difference in the 0.5-10 keV luminosity (7.3E43 erg/s for PG1244+026 and 6.4E44 erg/s for NAB0205+024, assuming isotropic emission, H_0 = 50.0 and q_0 = 0.0). The X-ray continuum of the two quasars flattens by 0.5-1 going from the 0.1-2 keV band toward higher energies, strengthening recent results on another half dozen steep soft X-ray AGN. PG1244+026 shows a significant feature in the `1 keV' region, which can be described by either as a broad emission line centered at 0.95 keV (quasar frame) or as edge or line absorption at 1.17 (1.22) keV. The line emission could be due to reflection from an highly ionized accretion disk, in line with the view that steep soft X-ray quasars are emitting close to the Eddington luminosity. Photoelectric edge absorption or resonant line absorption could be produced by gas outflowing at a large velocity (0.3-0.6 c).
PENGARUH SERVICE EXCELLENCE TERHADAP LOYALITAS NASABAH DENGAN KEPUASAN SEBAGAI VARIABEL INTERVENING

ABSTRAK Rahayu, Retno Sri. 2018. Pengaruh Service Excellence Terhadap Loyalitas Nasabah Dengan Kepuasan Sebagai Variabel Intervening (Studi Kasus: BNI Syariah KC Semarang). Skripsi, Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Islam Program Studi S1-Perbankan Syariah IAIN Salatiga. Pembimbing: Ari Setiawan, M. M. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh service excellence (attitude, attention, action, ability, appearance, accountability) terhadap loyalitas nasabah pada PT. BNI Syariah (Persero) Tbk, Kantor Cabang Syariah Semarangdan mengetahui pengaruh service excellence (attitude, attention, action, ability, appearance, accountability) terhadap loyalitas nasabah dengan kepuasan sebagai variabel intervening pada PT. BNI Syariah (Persero) Tbk, Kantor Cabang Syariah Semarang.Metode pengumpulan data yangdigunakan dalam penelitan ini adalah dengan menggunakan kuesioner tang menggunakan skala interval. Sampel dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 100 sampel dengan menggunakan purposive sampling. Hasil uji Ttestmenunjukkan bahwa variabel attitude, attention, action, ability, appearance, accountability dan kepuasan berpengaruh dan signifikan terhadap loyalitas nasabah. Uji Ftestmenunjukkan variabel attitude, attention, action, ability, appearance, accountability dan kepuasan secara simultan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Loyalitas nasabah. Kemudian uji R2 menunjukkan bahwa besarnya adjusted R2 adalah 0,823, hal ini berarti 82,3% variasi loyalitas dapat dijelaskan oleh variasi dari ke tujuh variabel independen attitude (x1), attention (x2), action (x3), ability (x4), appearance (x5), accountability (x6) dan kepuasan (z) sebagai variabel intervening. Sedangkan sisanya 17,7% dijelaskan oleh sebab sebab yang lain diluar model. Dengan menggunakan path analysis hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa attitude, attention, action, ability, appearance, accountability berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap loyalitas nasabah. Kepuasan tidak memediasi antara pengaruh variabel attitude, attention, action, ability, appearance, accountabilityterhadap loyalitas nasabah. Kata Kunci: Service Excellence, Kepuasan, Loyalitas Nasabah
Overview of the TREC 2016 Real-Time Summarization Track

Jimmy Lin, Adam Roegiest, Luchen Tan, Richard McCreadie, Ellen Voorhees, and Fernando Diaz 1 David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada 2 School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow, Scotland, the United Kingdom 3 National Institute for Standards and Technology, Maryland, USA 4 Microsoft Research, New York, USA {jimmylin, aroegies, luchen.tan}@uwaterloo.ca richard.mccreadie@glasgow.ac. uk, ellen.voorhees@nist.gov, fdiaz@microsoft.com
BDNF Pretreatment Attenuates Morphine-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats

Article type: Original Article Background: It has been known that Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is involved in neural survival and long term memory (LTM). Here we hypothesized that BDNF as a potent neurotrophic factor might modulate amnestic effect induced by morphine. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether infusion of exogenous BDNF in the CA1 regions of the dorsal hippocampi could ameliorate memory impairment induced by morphine. Materials and Methods: Forty rats were divided into 5 groups for dose response study of morphine (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg morphine, and saline, intraperitoneal) on memory retention. For second part of the experiment 24 animals were divided into three groups: (morphine +BDNF, morphine + saline and saline + saline). Two weeks after stereotaxic surgery, animals received 0.5 μl bilateral infusion of either saline or BDNF (5 μg/rat) intrahippocampally, 30 minutes before morphine treatment (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Step-through inhibitory avoidance task has been used to examine retrieval of memory formation, 1.5 and 24 h after the training. Results: The results showed that systemic administration of 7.5 and 10 mg/kg morphine compared with saline immediately after the training impairs longterm retention of memory for passive avoidance task in rats tested 24 hours later (p < 0.01). Surprisingly intra-CA1 microinjection of BDNF 30 minutes prior to injection of morphine significantly prevented amnesia (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggested that increase the level of BDNF in the CA1 region of the hippocampus during 30 minutes time window before morphine administration might modulate morphine-induced amnesia.
Social cognitive intervention reduces stress in Hungarian university students

Summary A social cognitive intervention was developed and delivered as a credit course to improve mental distress of university students, based on findings in a previous health survey showing notable mental distress among future teachers in Hungary in 2007. The intervention included increasing information on psychoactive substances used for stress reduction; skills development in stress reduction methods; improving skills in communication and problem-solving. All students who participated in the previous health survey were targeted. Mental status of the participants was assessed by a questionnaire before (n: 128, 22% male, mean age 23.21 years) and after (n: 148, 30% male, mean age 23.54 years) the intervention. Specifically, self-efficacy as outcome was approximated by a trait measure (sense of coherence); psychological distress was measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg et al., 1997. The validity of two versions of the GHQ in the WHO study of mental illness in general health care. Psychological Medicine, 27, 191–197) after the intervention compared with that before. After the intervention, psychological distress was reduced among the participants (p: 0.013). Non-significant improvement occurred in the mean score for sense of coherence (from a mean 60.8 points before to 61.4 points after, p: 0.688). The intervention produced a modest but significant decrease in psychological distress in students at a cost of 54 US$ per 1 point improvement in mental distress. The intervention, a first example of the translation of the social cognitive theory into practice among students in higher education can be integrated into the curriculum as a standardized optional course.
Algorithm for Error-Controlled Simultaneous Block-Diagonalization of Matrices

An algorithm is given for the problem of finding the finest simultaneous block-diagonalization of a given set of square matrices. This problem has been studied independently in the area of semidefinite programming and independent component analysis. The proposed algorithm considers the commutant algebra of the matrix *-algebra generated by the given matrices. It is simpler than other existing methods, and has the capability of controlling numerical errors. Some numerical examples are presented to demonstrate its merits.
Immediate effect of stretching and ultrasound on hamstring flexibility and proprioception

[Purpose] This research explored the positive effects of self-myofascial release on hamstring muscular flexibility and proprioception and investigated the effectiveness of the stretch combined with therapeutic ultrasound. [Subjects and Methods] This study included 30 healthy university students with no history of pain in the Achilles tendon or hamstring within the recent 6 months. Each participant completed two experiments. In the first experiment (MS), they completed self-myofascial stretching using a foam roller for 7 days. In the second experiment (MSU), the same participants performed the self-myofascial stretching after the 15-minute application of ultrasound. This study involved a pre- and post-test on hamstring muscle flexibility and hip joint proprioception. [Results] The use of self-myofascial stretching in the MS experiment had a significant effect on hamstring muscle flexibility and hip joint proprioception. However, the addition of ultrasound in the MSU experiment had no additive effect. [Conclusion] Self-myofascial stretching immediately increased hamstring muscle flexibility and improved hip joint proprioception, but the addition of pre-stretch ultra sound provided no further benefit.
Quality of life evaluation of patients with neurogenic bladder submitted to reconstructive urological surgeries preserving the bladder

ABSTRACT Treatment of neurogenic bladder (BN) aims to upper urinary tract protection. When the conservative clinical measures are insufficient, surgical treatment is indicated. Though admittedly important, the quality of life (QoL) has been little studied in these patients, there are even contradictory results. The aim of this study was to evaluate QoL before and after bladder augmentation in patients with BN refractory to medical treatment. We analyzed, prospectively, the data of 67 patients who underwent surgical treatment for BN by questionnaire SF-36® and Qualiveen® QoL before and after six months of operation. Comparisons using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon and the assumption of normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test were made. According to the analysis of the SF-36® questionnaire, the patients had higher QoL indices in the postoperative period in the areas functional capacity, general state of health, vitality, social aspects, emotional aspects and mental health (n = 67; p <0.05). The questionnaire also revealed Qualiveen® best result in quality of life index in the postoperative period, and show lower specific negative impact by urinary problems (n = 36; p <0.05). The results show that, despite not being the main objective, the bladder augmentation results in significant improvement in QoL, probably related to the perception of better health and the resolution of urinary incontinence. Thus, the bladder augmentation associated with other urologic reconstruction techniques allows the upper urinary tract protection, and contribute to a better quality of life of patients with BN.
Career Concerns Incentives: An Experimental Test

Holmstrom's [Holmstrom, B. , 1982/1999. Managerial incentive problems: a dynamic perspective. Review of Economic Studies 66, 169-182. Originally published in: Essays in Economics and Management in Honour of Lars Wahlbeck, Helsinki] career concerns model has become a workhorse for analyzing agency issues in many fields. The underlying signal jamming argument requires players to use information in a Bayesian way, which is difficult to directly test with field data: typically little is known about the information that individuals base their decisions on. Our laboratory experiment provides prima facie evidence: (i) the signal jamming mechanism successfully creates incentives on the labor supply side; (ii) decision errors take time to decrease; (iii) while subjects' average beliefs are remarkably consistent with play, a mild winner's curse arises on the labor demand side.
Prevalence, Pattern and Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence among Postpartum Women in Osogbo, Nigeria

Aim: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health issue in both developed and developing countries. It is one of the most common forms of violence against women. It affects all ethnic groups and it is not impeded by cultural, socio-economic or religious barriers. IPV in postpartum women can increase the risk of homicide and suicide. The study aimed to assess the prevalence, pattern and correlates of IPV among postpartum women attending postnatal and infant welfare clinics of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at LTH, Osogbo Nigeria between September and November 2015. Methodology: This was study conducted among 220 consenting postpartum women using Composite Abuse Scale and socio-demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The level of statistical significance was set at p-value less than 0.05. Results: Prevalence of IPV was 26.8%, patterns of IPV were physical abuse 14.5%. Emotional abuse, 26.3, severe combined abuse 9.9% and Harassment 14.5%. IPV was significantly associated with support from respondents’ partner during pregnancy (χ2= 5.470, p=0.019) and partner’s religion. (χ2= 7.746, p= 0.010) The odd ratio for those who had partner’s support was less than 1. (OR =0.337, p=0.014, CI=0.141-0.803). Conclusion: The prevalence of IPV is high among postpartum women. Increased media campaign about intimate partner violence and preventive measures is urgently needed.
A Rare Metastasis to the Bladder

Primary bladder cancer is the fifth most common malignancy but secondary malignancies of the bladder are rare. Distinguishing primary adenocarcinomas of the bladder from secondary adenocarcinomas is difficult and relies on immunohistochemical staining. Prostate, colorectal, breast, and lung all can produce metastatic adenocarcinomas to the bladder. Further management of the malignancy varies depending on the source, thus making proper diagnosis critical. We present only the fifth documented case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung to bladder and performed a review of the literature.