Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application level ballooning for efficient server consolidation

Systems software like databases and language runtimes typically manage memory themselves to exploit application knowledge unavailable to the OS. Traditionally deployed on dedicated machines, they are designed to be statically configured with memory sufficient for peak load. In virtualization scenarios (cloud computing, server consolidation), however, static peak provisioning of RAM to applications dramatically reduces the efficiency and cost-saving benefits of virtualization. Unfortunately, existing memory "ballooning" techniques used to dynamically reallocate physical memory between VMs badly impact the performance of applications which manage their own memory. We address this problem by extending ballooning to applications (here, a database engine and Java runtime) so that memory can be efficiently and effectively moved between virtualized instances as the demands of each change over time. The results are significantly lower memory requirements to provide the same performance guarantees to a collocated set of VM running such applications, with minimal overhead or intrusive changes to application code.
Effects of the BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism and Met Allele Load on Declarative Memory Related Neural Networks

It has been suggested that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism modulates episodic memory performance via effects on hippocampal neural circuitry. However, fMRI studies have yielded inconsistent results in this respect. Moreover, very few studies have examined the effect of met allele load on activation of memory circuitry. In the present study, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of the effects of the BDNF polymorphism on brain responses during episodic memory encoding and retrieval, including an investigation of the effect of met allele load on memory related activation in the medial temporal lobe. In contrast to previous studies, we found no evidence for an effect of BDNF genotype or met load during episodic memory encoding. Met allele carriers showed increased activation during successful retrieval in right hippocampus but this was contrast-specific and unaffected by met allele load. These results suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism does not, as previously claimed, exert an observable effect on neural systems underlying encoding of new information into episodic memory but may exert a subtle effect on the efficiency with which such information can be retrieved.
MAOA-L carriers are better at making optimal financial decisions under risk

Genes can affect behaviour towards risks through at least two distinct neurocomputational mechanisms: they may affect the value assigned to different risky options, or they may affect the way in which the brain adjudicates between options based on their value. We combined methods from neuroeconomics and behavioural genetics to investigate the impact that the genes encoding for monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA), the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) have on these two computations. Consistent with previous literature, we found that carriers of the MAOA-L polymorphism were more likely to take financial risks. Our computational choice model, rooted in established decision theory, showed that MAOA-L carriers exhibited such behaviour because they are able to make better financial decisions under risk, and not because they are more impulsive. In contrast, we found no behavioural or computational differences among the 5-HTT and DRD4 polymorphisms.
Compilation of HPSG to TAG

We present an implemented compilation algorithm that translates HPSG into lexicalized feature-based TAG, relating concepts of the two theories. While HPSG has a more elaborated principle-based theory of possible phrase structures, TAG provides the means to represent lexicalized structures more explicitly. Our objectives are met by giving clear definitions that determine the projection of structures from the lexicon, and identify "maximal" projections, auxiliary trees and foot nodes.
Repeated Exposure to Media Messages Encouraging Parent-Child Communication about Sex: Differential Trajectories for Mothers and Fathers

Purpose. To examine changes in parent-child communication related to sexual behavior after exposure to public health messages. Design. Randomized, controlled trial that was part of precampaign message testing. Setting. Exposure occurred online or through DVDs mailed to participants and viewed on their personal computers. Data collection occurred via a secure Web site. Patients. Participants included parents (n = 1969) living with a child age 10 to 14 years drawn from a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. Intervention. Treatment participants were exposed to video, audio, and print advertisements that promoted the benefits of speaking to their children early and often about delaying initiation of sexual activity; messages also directed parents to an informational Web site. Measures. The dependent variable assessed frequency of parent-child communication related to sexual behavior. The primary independent variable was treatment assignment. Analysis. Longitudinal growth modeling that included five waves of data. Results. The trajectory of growth over time differed between fathers in the treatment group and fathers in the control group (F [1, 2357] = 4.15; p < .042), indicating more frequent communication among treatment fathers than among control fathers. Trajectories did not differ between mothers in treatment and control groups. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that father-child and mother-child communication patterns differ over time in response to public health messages. Findings have implication for researchers developing health marketing campaigns.
Coarse models for efficient space mapping optimisation of microwave structures

It follows from both theoretical results and practical observations that the coarse model is one of the most critical components of the space mapping optimisation process, affecting both the algorithm's ability of finding a high-quality design, and its computational complexity. A good coarse model should be a good representation of the fine model and, at the same time, it should be computationally cheap. The first property not only ensures the quality of the final design but also good convergence properties of the algorithm, so it also affects the computational complexity of the optimisation process through reducing the number of fine model evaluations required to find the solution. The second property ensures that the overhead related to parameter extraction and surrogate optimisation is small or even negligible. This study discusses techniques for creating computationally cheap and reliable coarse models. The approaches the authors present include interpolated models, multi-coarse-model techniques and the use of built-in capabilities of the coarse model simulator. The authors provide examples involving microwave design optimisation problems.
Satellite Monitoring of Urban Land Change in the Middle Yangtze River Basin Urban Agglomeration, China between 2000 and 2016

Detailed studies on the spatiotemporal patterns of urban agglomeration in the Middle Yangtze River Basin (MYRB) are rare. This paper analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of urbanization in the MYRB using multi-temporal remote sensing data circa 2000, 2008 and 2016 integrated with geographic information system (GIS) techniques and landscape analysis approaches. A multi-level analysis of the rate and intensity, type as well as the landscape changes of urban expansion at regional, prefectural and inner-city levels was performed. Results show that the MYRB experienced rapid urban expansion with an annual expansion rate of 3.199%, especially in the Chang-Zhu-Tan and Poyang Lake metropolitan areas. The small and medium cities presented faster urban expansion than the larger cities with annual growth rates three times the average level. Urban expansion within the three capital cities was further analyzed in detail. It is found that outlying expansion and edge-expansion were the dominant growth patterns at all the three levels. Although urbanization in the MYRB has a remarkable increase in the past sixteen years, its annual growth rate of urban land expansion has fallen behind the three other large urban agglomerations in China as a result. Finally, the spatial evolution of the socioeconomic structure of the MYRB was further explored. It indicated that urban land was distributed mainly along the “northwest-southeast” direction and that the economic spatial interactions among cities showed a pattern of “multi-polarization and fragmentation”, which illustrates the weak radiative driving forces of the central cities. The MYRB urban agglomeration faces a great challenge to manage trades-offs between narrowing the intra-regional disparity and maintaining synergetic development among cities.
First- and second-order sociality determine survival and reproduction in cooperative cichlids

Cooperative breeders serve as a model to study the evolution of cooperation, where costs and benefits of helping are typically scrutinized at the level of group membership. However, cooperation is often observed in multi-level social organizations involving interactions among individuals at various levels. Here, we argue that a full understanding of the adaptive value of cooperation and the evolution of complex social organization requires identifying the effect of different levels of social organization on direct and indirect fitness components. Our long-term field data show that in the cooperatively breeding, colonial cichlid fish Neolamprologus pulcher, both large group size and high colony density significantly raised group persistence. Neither group size nor density affected survival at the individual level, but they had interactive effects on reproductive output; large group size raised productivity when local population density was low, whereas in contrast, small groups were more productive at high densities. Fitness estimates of individually marked fish revealed indirect fitness benefits associated with staying in large groups. Inclusive fitness, however, was not significantly affected by group size, because the direct fitness component was not increased in larger groups. Together, our findings highlight that the reproductive output of groups may be affected in opposite directions by different levels of sociality, and that complex forms of sociality and costly cooperation may evolve in the absence of large indirect fitness benefits and the influence of kin selection.
Pilot study on the assessment of the setpoint of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE To determine the log-linear relationship between TSH and free thyroxine in healthy subjects, and the variation in baseline TSH/free thyroxine (FT(4)) combination in each individual. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-one healthy volunteers (nine males and 12 females; mean age 60 years, range 51-74) were randomized to receive at 2300 h with 2-week intervals a single dose of placebo, 125 microg T(4) and 250 microg T(4) (arm 1, n=10), or placebo, 25 microg triiodothyronine (T(3)) and 50 microg T(3) (arm 2, n=11). Blood samples were taken in the morning (0800-1100 h) before and following the administration of the drug for the assessment of TSH, FT(4) and T(3). RESULTS Intra- and inter-individual variation and the individuality index of the four baseline serum samples were respectively 21.6%, 41.9% and 0.52 for TSH; 9.9%, 16.5% and 0.60 for FT(4); and 9.3%, 16.0% and 0.58 for T(3). Substantial differences existed in the location of individual working points within the reference range. T(4) administration increased FT(4) (but not T(3)) and decreased TSH, resulting in a log-linear relationship (log TSH=1.50-0.059xFT(4), P<0.05) for the whole group. T(3) administration increased T(3) and decreased TSH (but not FT(4)), resulting in a log-linear relationship (log TSH=0.790-0.245xT(3), P<0.001) for the whole group. Log-linear relationships were not always significant when assessed for each subject separately. CONCLUSION Individuality indices of TSH, FT(4) and T(3) are all <or=0.6, thereby limiting the usefulness of the population-based reference values. Accurate assessment of individual setpoints of the HPT axis was not possible with the applied single doses of T(4) or T(3), and will require either prolonged administration or higher single doses of thyroid hormone.
Extracting textured vertical facades from controlled close-range imagery

We are developing a system to extract geodetic, textured CAD models from thousands of initially uncontrolled, close-range ground and aerial images of urban scenes. Here we describe one component of the system, which operates after the imagery has been controlled or geo-referenced. This fully automatic component detects significant vertical facades in the scene, then extrudes them to meet an inferred, triangulated terrain and procedurally generated roof polygons. The algorithm then estimates for each surface a computer graphics texture, or diffuse reflectance map, from the many available observations of that surface. We present the results of the algorithm on a complex dataset: nearly 4,000 high-resolution digital images of a small (200 meter square) office park, acquired from close range under highly varying lighting conditions, amidst significant occlusion due both to multiple inter-occluding structures, and dense foliage. While the results are of less fidelity than that would be achievable by an interactive system, our algorithm is the first to be demonstrated on such a large, real-world dataset.
An milp approach to multi-location, multi-period equipment selection for surface mining with case studies

In the surface mining industry, the Equipment Selection Problem involves choosing an appropriate fleet of trucks and loaders such that the long-term mine plan can be satisfied. An important characteristic for multi-location (multi-location and multi-dumpsite) mines is that the underlying problem is a multi-commodity flow problem. The problem is therefore at least as difficult as the fixed-charge, capacitated multi-commodity flow problem. For long-term schedules it is useful to consider both the purchase and salvage of the equipment, since equipment may be superseded, and there is the possibility of used pre-existing equipment. This may also lead to heterogeneous fleets and arising compatibility considerations. In this paper, we consider two case studies provided by our industry partner. We develop a mixed-integer linear programming model for heterogeneous equipment selection in a surface mine with multiple locations and a multiple period schedule. Encoded in the solution is an allocation scheme in addition to a purchase and salvage policy. We develop a solution approach, including variable preprocessing, to tackle this large-scale problem. We illustrate the computational effectiveness of the resulting model on the two case studies for large sets of equipment and long-term schedule scenarios.
Correlation between cervical spine sagittal alignment and clinical outcome after cervical laminoplasty for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between cervical spine sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes after cervical laminoplasty in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). METHODS Fifty consecutive patients who underwent a cervical laminoplasty for OPLL between January 2012 and January 2013 and who were followed up for at least 1 year were analyzed in this study. Standing plain radiographs of the cervical spine, CT (midsagittal view), and MRI (T2-weighted sagittal view) were obtained (anteroposterior, lateral, flexion, and extension) pre- and postoperatively. Cervical spine alignment was assessed with the following 3 parameters: the C2-7 Cobb angle, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and T-1 slope minus C2-7 Cobb angle. The change in cervical sagittal alignment was defined as the difference between the post- and preoperative C2-7 Cobb angles, C2-7 SVAs, and T-1 slope minus C2-7 Cobb angles. Outcome assessments (visual analog scale [VAS], Oswestry Neck Disability Index [NDI], 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36], and Japanese Orthopaedic Association [JOA] scores) were obtained in all patients pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS The average patient age was 56.3 years (range 38-72 years). There were 34 male patients and 16 female patients. Cervical laminoplasty for OPLL helped alleviate radiculomyelopathy. Compared with the preoperative scores, improvement was seen in postoperative VAS and JOA scores. After laminoplasty, 35 patients had kyphotic changes, and 15 had lordotic changes. However, cervical sagittal alignment after laminoplasty was not significantly associated with clinical outcomes in terms of postoperative improvement of the JOA score (C2-7 Cobb angle: p = 0.633; C2-7 SVA: p = 0.817; T-1 slope minus C2-7 lordosis: p = 0.554), the SF-36 score (C2-7 Cobb angle: p = 0.554; C2-7 SVA: p = 0.793; T-1 slope minus C2-7 lordosis: p = 0.829), the VAS neck score (C2-7 Cobb angle: p = 0.263; C2-7 SVA: p = 0.716; T-1 slope minus C2-7 lordosis: p = 0.497), or the NDI score (C2-7 Cobb angle: p = 0.568; C2-7 SVA: p = 0.279; T-1 slope minus C2-7 lordosis: p = 0.966). Similarly, the change in cervical sagittal alignment was not related to the JOA (p = 0.604), SF-36 (p = 0.308), VAS neck (p = 0.832), or NDI (p = 0.608) scores. CONCLUSIONS Cervical laminoplasty for OPLL improved radiculomyelopathy. Cervical laminoplasty increased the probability of cervical kyphotic alignment. However, cervical sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes were not clearly related.
Inhibitory Effects of Ginsenoside-Rb2 on Nicotinic Stimulation-Evoked Catecholamine Secretion

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ginsenoside-Rb2 (Rb2) can affect the secretion of catecholamines (CA) in the perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla. Rb2 (3~30 µM), perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min, inhibited ACh (5.32 mM)-evoked CA secretory response in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Rb2 (10 µM) also time-dependently inhibited the CA secretion evoked by DMPP (100 µM, a selective neuronal nicotinic receptor agonist) and high K+ (56 mM, a direct membrane depolarizer). Rb2 itself did not affect basal CA secretion (data not shown). Also, in the presence of Rb2 (50 µg/mL), the secretory responses of CA evoked by veratridine (a selective Na+ channel activator (50 µM), Bay-K-8644 (an L-type dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel activator, 10 µM), and cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, 10 µM) were significantly reduced, respectively. Interestingly, in the simultaneous presence of Rb2 (10 µM) and L-NAME (an inhibitor of NO synthase, 30 µM), the inhibitory responses of Rb2 on ACh-evoked CA secretory response was considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with the inhibitory effect of Rb2-treatment alone. Practically, the level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of Rb2 (10 µM) was greatly elevated compared to the corresponding basal released level. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Rb2 inhibits the CA secretory responses evoked by nicotinic stimulation as well as by direct membrane-depolarization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla. It seems that this inhibitory effect of Rb2 is mediated by inhibiting both the influx of Ca2+ and Na+ into the adrenomedullary chromaffin cells and also by suppressing the release of Ca2+ from the cytoplasmic calcium store, at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of nitric oxide synthase, which is relevant to neuronal nicotinic receptor blockade.
The Assessment of Oral Microflora Exposed to 3% Ethanolic Extract of Brazilian Green Propolis Preparation Used for Hygiene Maintenance following Minor Oral Surgeries

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a topically administered hygienic preparation containing a 3% ethanolic extract of Brazilian green propolis (EEP-B) on oral microflora spectrum changes in a group of patients who underwent common oral surgery procedures. Two gel samples were compared: the tested gel containing an active ingredient, that is, a 3% EEP-B (gel GA), and a placebo as the negative control (gel GC). The collection of microbiological material included 14 patients requiring surgical extraction of wisdom molars and short endosseous implant installation. Clinical examinations were carried out as follow-up, that is, baseline and after 5-6 weeks' time. During the first and subsequent assessment, swabs were taken from the mucosal surface. The number of microorganism species was found to have increased following the application of GC gel over the period of 5-6 weeks. This mainly affected Gram-positive rods and bacilli as well as Gram-negative rods. Application of the GA gel enriched with 3% EEP-B caused a profound reduction in the amount of Neisseria spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. strains. Elimination of seven species of microorganisms was observed: Streptococcus acidominimus, Streptococcus oralis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Veillonella parvula, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Thickness of Cubic Surface Phase on Barium Titanate Single‐Crystalline Grains

The crystallographic structure of BaTiO3 particles prepared by conventional solid-state reaction has been investigated by X-ray diffractometry and dielectric measurements. The systematic analysis of the diffraction pattern has clearly shown the coexistence of tetragonal and cubic phases at room temperature. The relative amount of cubic phase increases and the dielectric constant decreases with decreasing particle size. These experimental results are consistent with the model that the cubic phase is located at the surface of BaTiO3 grains. The thickness of the surface layer is estimated to be approximately 5 nm, irrespective of the grain size.
Learning Spatial-Aware Regressions for Visual Tracking

In this paper, we analyze the spatial information of deep features, and propose two complementary regressions for robust visual tracking. First, we propose a kernelized ridge regression model wherein the kernel value is defined as the weighted sum of similarity scores of all pairs of patches between two samples. We show that this model can be formulated as a neural network and thus can be efficiently solved. Second, we propose a fully convolutional neural network with spatially regularized kernels, through which the filter kernel corresponding to each output channel is forced to focus on a specific region of the target. Distance transform pooling is further exploited to determine the effectiveness of each output channel of the convolution layer. The outputs from the kernelized ridge regression model and the fully convolutional neural network are combined to obtain the ultimate response. Experimental results on two benchmark datasets validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Systematic Review of Educational Interventions to Improve Glaucoma Medication Adherence

Abstract Adherence to prescribed glaucoma medications is often poor, and proper adherence can be challenging for patients. We systematically reviewed the literature and identified eight studies using educational interventions to improve glaucoma medication adherence. Overall, five of the eight studies found that educational interventions lead to a significant improvement in medication adherence, and two additional studies found a trend towards improvement. Using information from this systematic review and Health Behavior Theory, we constructed a conceptual framework to illustrate how counseling and education can improve glaucoma medication adherence. More rigorous studies grounded in Health Behavior Theory with adequately powered samples and longer follow-up are needed.