Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laminar Families and Metric Embeddings: Non-bipartite Maximum Matching Problem in the Semi-Streaming Model

In this paper, we study the non-bipartite maximum matching problem in the semi-streaming model. The maximum matching problem in the semi-streaming model has received a significant amount of attention lately. While the problem has been somewhat well solved for bipartite graphs, the known algorithms for non-bipartite graphs use $2^{\frac1\epsilon}$ passes or $n^{\frac1\epsilon}$ time to compute a $(1-\epsilon)$ approximation. In this paper we provide the first FPTAS (polynomial in $n,\frac1\epsilon$) for the problem which is efficient in both the running time and the number of passes. We also show that we can estimate the size of the matching in $O(\frac1\epsilon)$ passes using slightly superlinear space. To achieve both results, we use the structural properties of the matching polytope such as the laminarity of the tight sets and total dual integrality. The algorithms are iterative, and are based on the fractional packing and covering framework. However the formulations herein require exponentially many variables or constraints. We use laminarity, metric embeddings and graph sparsification to reduce the space required by the algorithms in between and across the iterations. This is the first use of these ideas in the semi-streaming model to solve a combinatorial optimization problem.
Functional deficits of the attentional networks in autism

Attentional dysfunction is among the most consistent observations of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the neural nature of this deficit in ASD is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the neurobehavioral correlates of attentional dysfunction in ASD. We used the Attention Network Test‐Revised and functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine alerting, orienting, and executive control functions, as well as the neural substrates underlying these attentional functions in unmedicated, high‐functioning adults with ASD (n = 12) and matched healthy controls (HC, n = 12). Compared with HC, individuals with ASD showed increased error rates in alerting and executive control, accompanied by lower activity in the mid‐frontal gyrus and the caudate nucleus for alerting, and by the absence of significant functional activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) for executive control. In addition, greater behavioral deficiency in executive control in ASD was correlated with less functional activation of the ACC. These findings of behavioral and neural abnormalities in alerting and executive control of attention in ASD may suggest core attentional deficits, which require further investigation.
Towards more confident recommendations: Improving recommender systems using filtering approach based on rating variance

In the present age of information overload, it is becoming increasingly harder to find relevant content. Recommender systems have been introduced to help people deal with these vast amounts of information and have been widely used in research as well as e-commerce applications. In this paper, we propose several new approaches to improve the accuracy of recommender systems by using rating variance to gauge the confidence of recommendations. We then empirically demonstrate how these approaches work with various recommendation techniques. We also show how these approaches can generate more personalized recommendations, as measured by the coverage metric. As a result, users can be given a better control to choose whether to receive recommendations with higher coverage or higher accuracy.
Valuating Privacy

In several experimental auctions, participants put a dollar value on private information before revealing it to a group. An analysis of results show that a trait's desirability in relation to the group played a key role in the amount people demanded to publicize private information. Because people can easily obtain, aggregate, and disperse personal data electronically, privacy is a central concern in the information age. This concern is clear in relation to financial data and genetic information, both of which can lead to identity abuse and discrimination. However, other relatively harmless information can also be abused, including a person's gender, salary, age, marital status, or shopping preferences. What's unclear is whether it's the fear of such abuse that actually causes people's stated hesitance to reveal their data. Our hypothesis - and the motivation for our study - is that people reveal information when they feel that they're somewhat typical or positively atypical compared to the target group. To test this hypothesis, we conducted experiments that elicit the value people place on their private data. We found, with great significance (more than 95 percent statistical confidence) that a linear relationship exists between an individual's belief about a trait and the value he or she places on it. That is, the less desirable the trait, the greater the price a person demands for releasing the information. Furthermore, we found that small deviations in a socially positive direction are associated with a lower asking price.
Theoretical aspects of relativistic spectral features

The inner parts of black-hole accretion discs shine in X-rays which can be monitored and the observed spectra can be used to trace strong gravitational fields in the place of emission and along paths of light rays. This paper summarizes several aspects of how the spectral features are influenced by relativistic effects. We focus our attention onto variable and broad emission lines, origin of which can be attributed to the presence of orbiting patterns – spots and spiral waves in the disc. We point out that the observed spectrum can determine parameters of the central black hole provided the intrinsic local emissivity is constrained by theoretical models. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Granulomatous Cheilitis: Successful Treatment of Two Recalcitrant Cases with Combination Drug Therapy

Granulomatous cheilitis is a rare, idiopathic, inflammatory disorder which usually affects young adults. It is characterized by persistent, diffuse, nontender, soft-to-firm swelling of one or both lips. Various treatment modalities have been suggested. In spite of the best treatment, recurrence of the disease is very common. We report two cases of granulomatous cheilitis treated with a combination of steroids, metronidazole, and minocycline with no signs of relapse at one-year follow-up.
PROVING UNPROVABILITY

Abstract This paper addresses the question: given some theory T that we accept, is there some natural, generally applicable way of extending T to a theory S that can prove a range of things about what it itself (i.e., S) can prove, including a range of things about what it cannot prove, such as claims to the effect that it cannot prove certain particular sentences (e.g., 0 = 1), or the claim that it is consistent? Typical characterizations of Gödel’s second incompleteness theorem, and its significance, would lead us to believe that the answer is ‘no’. But the present paper explores a positive answer. The general approach is to follow the lead of recent (and not so recent) approaches to truth and the Liar paradox.
Relata-Specific Relations : A Response to Vallicella

According to Vallicella‟s „Relations, Monism, and the Vindication of Bradley‟s Regress‟ (2002), if relations are to relate their relata, some special operator must do the relating. No other options will do. In this paper we reject Vallicella‟s conclusion by considering an important option that becomes visible only if we hold onto a precise distinction between the following three feature-pairs of relations: internality/externality, universality/particularity, relata-specificity/relata-unspecificity. The conclusion we reach is that if external relations are to relate their relata, they must be relata-specific (and no special operator is needed). As it eschews unmereological complexes, this outcome is of relevance to defenders of the extensionality of composition.
Chronic Administration of High Doses of Nandrolone Decanoate on the Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Male Rats

Background: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are abused by athletes. Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate chronic administration of high doses of nandrolone decanoate (ND) on the pituitary-gonadal axis and hematological parameters in normal male rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty Wistar-Albino male rats were divided assigned to control (C), placebo (P) and test (T) groups (n = 10). Group T received 15 mg/kg intramuscular (IM) ND for eight weeks. Group P received the same volume of peanut oil, but group C did not receive any agent during the trial period. At the end, animals were anesthetized, killed and blood samples collected from cervical vessels. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were determined by sensitive rat gonadotropins kit, using ELISA methods. Serum testosterone and hematological parameters were measured by ordinary laboratory methods. Obtained data was analyzed using SPSS 17 by ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests. Results were expressed as Mean ± SD. Statistical difference considered significantly by P < 0.05. Results: Serum testosterone, LH, FSH, weight gain, food and water intake in group T were significantly decreased compared to other groups (P < 0.05). In addition erythrocyte, leucocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit in group T were significantly increased compared to those of other groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Chronic administration of high doses of ND can alter serum FSH, LH and testosterone and hematological parameters in male rats.
Modern Cooperative Parallel SAT Solving

Nowadays, powerful parallel SAT solvers are based on an algorithm portfolio. The alternative approach, (iterative) search space partitioning, cannot keep up, although, according to the literature, iterative partitioning systems should scale better than portfolio solvers. This rises often! In this paper we identify key problems in current parallel cooperative SAT solving approaches, most importantly communication, how to partition the search space, and how to utilize the sequential search engine. First, we improve on each problem separately. In a further step, we show that combining all the improvements leads to a state-of-the-art parallel SAT solver, which does not use the portfolio approach, but instead relies on iterative partitioning. The experimental evaluation of this system completely changes the picture about the performance of search space partitioning SAT solvers: on instances of a combined benchmark of recent SAT competitions, the presented approach can keep up with the winners of last years SAT competition. The combined improvements improve the existing cooperative solver splitter by 24%: instead of 561 out of 880 instances, the new solver Pcasso can solve 696 instances.
Elucidation of an Alternate Isoleucine Biosynthesis Pathway in Geobacter sulfurreducens

ABSTRACT The central metabolic model for Geobacter sulfurreducens included a single pathway for the biosynthesis of isoleucine that was analogous to that of Escherichia coli, in which the isoleucine precursor 2-oxobutanoate is generated from threonine. 13C labeling studies performed in G. sulfurreducens indicated that this pathway accounted for a minor fraction of isoleucine biosynthesis and that the majority of isoleucine was instead derived from acetyl-coenzyme A and pyruvate, possibly via the citramalate pathway. Genes encoding citramalate synthase (GSU1798), which catalyzes the first dedicated step in the citramalate pathway, and threonine ammonia-lyase (GSU0486), which catalyzes the conversion of threonine to 2-oxobutanoate, were identified and knocked out. Mutants lacking both of these enzymes were auxotrophs for isoleucine, whereas single mutants were capable of growth in the absence of isoleucine. Biochemical characterization of the single mutants revealed deficiencies in citramalate synthase and threonine ammonia-lyase activity. Thus, in G. sulfurreducens, 2-oxobutanoate can be synthesized either from citramalate or threonine, with the former being the main pathway for isoleucine biosynthesis. The citramalate synthase of G. sulfurreducens constitutes the first characterized member of a phylogenetically distinct clade of citramalate synthases, which contains representatives from a wide variety of microorganisms.
Postalveolar Fricatives in Slavic Languages as Retroflexes

The present study poses the question on what phonetic and phonological grounds postalveolar fricatives in Polish can be analyzed as retroflex and whether postalveolar fricatives in other Slavic languages are retroflex as well. Velarization and incompatibility with front vowels are introduced as articulatory criteria for retroflexion, based on crosslinguistic data. According to these criteria, Polish and Russian have retroflex fricatives, whereas Bulgarian and Czech do not. In a phonological representation of these Slavic retroflexes, the necessity of perceptual features is shown. Lastly, it is illustrated that palatalization of retroflex fricatives both in Slavic languages and more generally causes a phonetic and phonological change to a non-retroflex sound.
Graph Analysis for Detecting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Healthcare Data

Detection of fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) is an important yet difficult problem. In this paper, we describe a system to detect suspicious activities in large healthcare claims datasets. Each healthcare dataset is viewed as a heterogeneous network of patients, doctors, pharmacies, and other entities. These networks can be large, with millions of patients, hundreds of thousands of doctors, and tens of thousands of pharmacies, for example. Graph analysis techniques are developed to find suspicious individuals, suspicious relationships between individuals, unusual changes over time, unusual geospatial dispersion, and anomalous networks within the overall graph structure. The system has been deployed on multiple sites and data sets, both government and commercial, to facilitate the work of FWA investigation analysts.
Silent onsets ? An optimality-theoretic approach to French h aspiré

This paper reexamines one of the classical problems of French phonology: the phenomenon of h aspiré words (Fouché 1959, Klein 1963, Rothe 1978, Encrevé 1988). These vowel initial items display a special behavior with respect to typical phonological processes of French, such as enchaînement, liaison, and élision. Based on the analysis of experimental data we investigate the phonetic realizations of these items and propose an optimalitytheoretic (OT) approach in order to account for this phenomenon as well as for the variation encountered in our data. The paper is organized as follows: We start with an overview of the relevant facts from a rather descriptive point of view (section 1) before presenting the data analyzed for the present study (section 2). While section 3 reviews selected non OT approaches to French h aspiré words, section 4 goes into the problem of variation from an optimality-theoretic perspective: We give an overview of the proposals under discussion before putting forward our own account that largely relies on the model of Stochastic OT developed by Boersma/Hayes (2001). Section 5, finally, offers some concluding remarks.
Validity and Reliability of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Greek Children

This study aimed to adapt the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children (PMSC) in Greek and assess its reliability and face, construct, and concurrent validity in 5- to 9-year-old Greek children. Face validity was conducted with 20 children, whereas a larger sample (N = 227) was used to examine construct validity. Two subsamples (n = 38; n = 142) were used to investigate test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Greek version of the PMSC (PMSC-GR) with the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children (PSPCSA) and the physical competence subscale (PCS), respectively. The panel of experts confirmed the clarity and concept integrity of the PMSC-GR. Temporal stability was confirmed for PMSC-GR total score and both Locomotor (LOC; ICC = .80; 95% CI, .62–.89) and Object Control (OC; ICC = .91; 95% CI, .82–.95) subscales. Appropriate internal consistency was found for the total score as well as for the LOC and OC scores (polychoric correlations: PMSC-GR, .80; LOC, .60; OC, .76). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the construct validity of a one-factor and two-factor model. Scores of the PMSC and the PSPCSA-PCS were correlated to a low level. The PMSC-GR is valid and reliable for Greek children and appears to measure a different construct to general physical perceived competence.
Regenerating Longleaf Pine with Natural Seeding

Natural regeneration is a practical and inexpensive option for existing longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests if all requirements for regeneration can be met. These requirements include an adequate seed supply, a seedbed of exposed mineral soil, timely control of competition, and protection of the established seedling stand. The shelterwood system appears best suited to the requirements of the species. The final harvest takes place only after a new stand is established so that the site is occupied while waiting for a good cone crop. The shelterwood stand maximizes per-acre seed production and produces sufficient needle litter to fuel fires hot enough to limit hardwood encroachment. Careful advance planning, annual monitoring of cone crops, regular regeneration surveys, and proper timing and execution of cultural treatments are essential to success.
Design, Implementation and Evaluation of a Real-Time P300-based Brain-Computer Interface System

We present a new end-to-end brain-computer interface system based on electroencephalography (EEG). Our system exploits the P300 signal in the brain, a positive deflection in event-related potentials, caused by rare events. P300 can be used for various tasks, perhaps the most well-known being a spelling device. We have designed a flexible visual stimulus mechanism that can be adapted to user preferences and developed and implemented EEG signal processing, learning and classification algorithms. Our classifier is based on Bayes linear discriminant analysis, in which we have explored various choices and improvements. We have designed data collection experiments for offline and online decision-making and have proposed modifications in the stimulus and decision-making procedure to increase online efficiency. We have evaluated the performance of our system on 8 healthy subjects on a spelling task and have observed that our system achieves higher average speed than state-of-the-art systems reported in the literature for a given classification accuracy.
An Exploratory Study on Users' Intention to Purchase Items from Mobile Applications in Thailand

In this paper, we study the relationship between continuation of use (COU) factor and the users' intention to purchase items in smartphone applications. We also proposed the four factors: trust, diversity of in- app items, social norm and resource usage, specifically affect the COU of the smartphone applications. Structural equation model (SEM) analysis of a questionnaire based survey collected from 226 respondents in Thailand revealed that the continual use of an application is the key factor affecting the intention of users to make in-app purchases. This factor is affected by the diversity of in-app items, trust and social norms. However, the cost of using the application does not significantly affect the continuation of use. This study contributes to m-commerce as we proposed the analysis model, which specifically adapted to smartphone applications targeting consumers in Thailand. The result helps developers to focus on crucial factors which will enhance the possibility of users' continuous use and decision to purchase in-app items.
Accessible tourism and its benefits for coping with stress

ABSTRACT The present study had two main objectives: (i) to understand the relationship between tourism and stress-coping for individuals with disabilities, and (ii) to develop an empirical basis for therapeutic purposes and for improving new tourism products and policies, in a biopsychosocial framework. An empirical study was conducted using participants with disabilities (N = 306) who were assessed with the Leisure Coping Scale adapted to the Accessible Tourism context. The positive influence of tourism on these individuals’ biopsychosocial dimensions of stress-coping is identified and discussed. Results suggest that accessible tourism should be recognized as a new stress-coping resource for disabled people, supporting the rebalancing of their personal and social resources, positively contributing to their health and well-being. These findings provide further evidence for the development of new tourism products targeted to a population with special needs, and for accurate policies of alternative therapeutic interventions in the context of their rehabilitation.
The effects of the timing and dosage of correctional programming on recidivism

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of program timing and duration on recidivism outcomes among 1,879 offenders released from Minnesota prisons in 2005. The point at which prisoners entered programming did not have a significant effect on recidivism. Earlier involvement in interventions, however, significantly increased programming dosage, which was, in turn, associated with better recidivism outcomes. Significant findings were observed for the point at which prisoners exited programming, particularly in relation to the overall length of their imprisonment. In general, recidivism was significantly lower when prisoners exited programming closer to their release from prison.
Empowering leadership: A meta‐analytic examination of incremental contribution, mediation, and moderation

Summary The concept of empowering leadership (EL) has seen increasing scholarly interest in recent years. This study reports a meta-analysis investigating the effects of EL on employee work behavior. On the basis of data from 105 samples, we found evidence for the positive effects of EL on performance, organizational citizenship behavior, and creativity at both the individual and team levels. We further examined these relationships by exploring potential boundary conditions and the incremental contribution of EL over transformational leadership and leader–member exchange. Furthermore, at the individual level, both trust in leader and psychological empowerment mediated the relationships of EL with task performance, organizational citizenship behavior, and creativity. We also found evidence that leader–member exchange was a significant mediator between EL and task performance. At the team level, empowerment mediated the effects of EL on team performance, whereas knowledge sharing showed no significant indirect effect. Our results have important theoretical and practical implications and suggest some areas that require further research.