Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Margin based Transductive Graph Cuts using Linear Programming

This paper studies the problem of inferring a partition (or a graph cut) of an undirected deterministic graph where the labels of some nodes are observed thereby bridging a gap between graph theory and probabilistic inference techniques. Given a weighted graph, we focus on the rules of weighted neighbors to predict the label of a particular node. A maximum margin and maximal average margin based argument is used to prove a generalization bound, and is subsequently related to the classical MINCUT approach. From a practical perspective a simple and intuitive, but efficient convex formulation is constructed. This scheme can readily be implemented as a linear program which scales well till a few thousands of (labeled or unlabeled) data-points. The extremal case is studied where one observes only a single label, and this setting is related to the task of unsupervised clustering.
Multidimensional Ontologies for Contextual Quality Data Specification and Extraction

Data quality assessment and data cleaning are context-dependent activities. Starting from this observation, in previous work a context model for the assessment of the quality of a database was proposed. A context takes the form of a possibly virtual database or a data integration system into which the database under assessment is mapped, for additional analysis, processing, and quality data extraction. In this work, we extend contexts with dimensions, and by doing so, multidimensional data quality assessment becomes possible. At the core of multidimensional contexts we introduce ontologies with provably good properties in terms of query answering (QA). We use the ontologies to represent dimension hierarchies, dimensional constraints, dimensional rules, and specifying quality data. Query answering relies on and triggers dimensional navigation, and becomes an important tool for the extraction of quality data. We introduce and investigate an ontological-multidimensional (OMD) data model for which the aforementioned multidimensional ontology is a particular case. The OMD model extends the traditional multidimensional data model, embedding it into a Datalog± ontology. The ontology allows for the introduction of generalized fact tables, called categorical relations, which may be incomplete and associated to categories at arbitrary levels of the dimensions. The dimensional rules in the ontology are represented as Datalog± rules, and they enable dimensional navigation while propagating data between different dimension levels, for data completion where data is missing. The dimensional constraints are semantic conditions that have to be satisfied and are represented as Datalog± constraints. It turns out that the ontologies created according to the OMD model correspond to weakly-sticky (WS) programs, for which tractability of conjunctive QA is guaranteed. We analyse the representational and computational properties of the OMD model, we investigate QA and optimization for the WS programs which was only partly studied in the literature. We provide a practical QA algorithms and results of experiments with them.
Pipeline for Populating Games with Realistic Crowds

With the increase in realism of games based in stadiums and urban environments, real-time crowds are becoming essential in order to provide a believable environment. However, realism is still largely lacking due to the computation required. In this paper, we describe the pipeline of work needed in order to prepare and export models from a 3D modelling package into a crowd system. For our crowd, we use a hybrid geometry/impostor approach which allows thousands of characters to be rendered of high visual quality. We use pre-simulated se quences of cloth to further enhance the characters appearance, along with perceptual metrics to balance computation with visual fidelity.
The Most Common Smartphone Applications Used By Medical Students and Barriers of Using Them

Introduction: Medical knowledge is rapidly expanding and updating. It is very important that students can timely access to information and the latest scientific evidence without any time and place limitation. The smartphone is one of ICT tools that adopted greatly by healthcare professionals. Today, the most medical sciences universities have provided smartphone as an educational aid tool and acquisition licenses for medical apps resources in training of their students. Aim: This research was conducted to determine common smartphone applications among medical students of Urmia University of medical sciences and to identify barriers in using them. Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive type of study carried out in 2016. Population of the study included 530 medical students completing the clinical course in Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using researcher-developed questionnaire. The validity of it determined based on the view of experts and the reliability of it obtained by calculating the value of Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.82). Results: 82.3% of the students had smartphone, which in terms of operating system the highest was related Andriod (53%) and iPhone (32%). The most common applications used often by medical students included Up to date, PubSearch, Calculate by QxMD, Epocrates and OMnio. Lack of accreditation of medical apps by valid health institutions (4.63), lack of support and update of applications by their developers (4.44), lack of adequate skill to use applications (4.25) are the most important barriers in using these applications among students. Conclusion: To assurance quality of medical apps, it seems very important that academic and healthcare organizations should be involved to develop and update the apps and also provided guidelines for accreditation of apps. It is recommended that for promotion of knowledge and skill of students provide essential educations.
On the nonuniqueness of sediment yield at the catchment scale: The effects of soil antecedent conditions and surface shield

The understanding of reasons leading to nonuniqueness of soil erosion susceptibility is still inadequate, yet indispensable for establishing general relations between runoff volume and sediment yield. To obtain relevant insights, we performed a series of numerical simulations with a detailed hydrodynamic model using synthetic storms of varying intensity, duration, and lag time between events as representations of different hydrologic response conditions in a zero‐order catchment. The design targeted to generate surface flow and “perturb” soil substrate by a first rainfall event, creating a set of initial conditions in terms of flow and deposited sediment prior to the onset of a subsequent rainfall event. Due to the differential effect of (re)detachment and (re)entrainment processes on soil particles of varying sizes, the deposited sediment mass formed shielding layer. One of the essential results is that unless the initial condition of flow and sediment is identical, the same volume of runoff can generate different total sediment yields and their variation can reach up to ∼200%. The effect is attributed to two major conflicting effects exerted by the deposited “initialization” (soil antecedent condition) sediment mass: erosion enhancement, because of supply of highly erodible sediment, and erosion impediment, because of constrain on the availability of lighter particles by heavier sediment. Consistently with this inference, long‐term simulations with continuous rainfall show that a peculiar feature of sediment yield series is the existence of maximum before the steady state is reached. The two characteristic time scales, the time to peak and the time to steady state, separate three characteristic periods that correspond to flow‐limited, source‐limited, and steady‐state regimes. These time scales are log linearly and negatively related to the spatially averaged Shields parameter: the smaller the rainfall input and the heavier a given particle is, the larger the two scales are. The results provide insights on how the existence of shield operates on erosion processes, possibly implying that accurate short‐term predictions of geomorphic events from headwater areas may never become a tractable problem: the latter would require a detailed spatial characterization of particle size distribution prior to precipitation events.
The phenomenology of bodily care: caregivers' experiences with AIDS patients before antiretroviral therapies in Lesotho

This study provides an account of caregivers' experiences with the bodily care of AIDS patients before antiretroviral therapies were available in the public health sector in Lesotho. It describes the mechanisms through which the body may become a stressor in caregiving. The phenomenological method, guided by the notion of epoché, was used to understand caregiving experiences from the perspective of family caregivers. Data on caregivers' physical activities and what they saw and thought were collected through in-depth interviews with 21 caregivers (mostly females); the caregivers were identified with the help of HIV/AIDS counsellors at two hospitals where AIDS patients received medical treatment. The thematic analysis shows that a patient's body was central in caregiving experiences. Social interaction in caregiving was mediated through seeing and touching the bodies of the patients. The different aspects of caregiving and the close interaction with the body of an ill family member — especially seeing major changes in the patient's physical appearance, their declined capacity to perform the activities of daily living, and discovering the symptoms of their illness — contributed to the caregivers' experiences of sympathy and pain. The social meanings and boundaries that tended to persist regarding touching and accessing others' bodies and bodily matter also contributed to the caregivers' stress.
There ’ s No Free Lunch Conversation : The Effect of Brand Advertising on Word of Mouth

Advertising is often purchased with the expectation that the ads will generate additional social impressions that will justify the high price of advertising. Yet academic research on the effect of advertising on WOM is scarce and shows mixed results. We examine the relationship between monthly Internet and TV advertising expenditures and the total (offline and online) word of mouth (WOM) for 538 U.S. national brands across 16 categories over 6.5 years. We find that the average implied advertising elasticity on total WOM is small: 0.016 for TV, and 0.010 for Internet. Even the categories that have the strongest implied elasticities are only as large as 0.05. Despite this small average effect, we do find that advertising in certain events may produce desirable amounts of WOM. Specifically, using a synthetic controls approach, we find that being a Super Bowl advertiser causes a moderate increase in total WOM that lasts one month. The effect on online posts is larger, but lasts for only three days. We discuss the implications of these findings for managing advertising and WOM.
Repeated Adaptive Introgression at a Gene under Multiallelic Balancing Selection

Recently diverged species typically have incomplete reproductive barriers, allowing introgression of genetic material from one species into the genomic background of the other. The role of natural selection in preventing or promoting introgression remains contentious. Because of genomic co-adaptation, some chromosomal fragments are expected to be selected against in the new background and resist introgression. In contrast, natural selection should favor introgression for alleles at genes evolving under multi-allelic balancing selection, such as the MHC in vertebrates, disease resistance, or self-incompatibility genes in plants. Here, we test the prediction that negative, frequency-dependent selection on alleles at the multi-allelic gene controlling pistil self-incompatibility specificity in two closely related species, Arabidopsis halleri and A. lyrata, caused introgression at this locus at a higher rate than the genomic background. Polymorphism at this gene is largely shared, and we have identified 18 pairs of S-alleles that are only slightly divergent between the two species. For these pairs of S-alleles, divergence at four-fold degenerate sites (K = 0.0193) is about four times lower than the genomic background (K = 0.0743). We demonstrate that this difference cannot be explained by differences in effective population size between the two types of loci. Rather, our data are most consistent with a five-fold increase of introgression rates for S-alleles as compared to the genomic background, making this study the first documented example of adaptive introgression facilitated by balancing selection. We suggest that this process plays an important role in the maintenance of high allelic diversity and divergence at the S-locus in flowering plant families. Because genes under balancing selection are expected to be among the last to stop introgressing, their comparison in closely related species provides a lower-bound estimate of the time since the species stopped forming fertile hybrids, thereby complementing the average portrait of divergence between species provided by genomic data.
Compressing Sparse Feature Vectors Using Random Ortho-Projections

In this paper we investigate the usage of random ortho-projections in the compression of sparse feature vectors. The study is carried out by evaluating the compressed features in classification tasks instead of concentrating on reconstruction accuracy. In the random ortho-projection method, the mapping for the compression can be obtained without any further knowledge of the original features. This makes the approach favorable if training data is costly or impossible to obtain. The independence from the data also enables one to embed the compression scheme directly into the computation of the original features. Our study is inspired by the results in compressive sensing, which state that up to a certain compression ratio and with high probability, such projections result in no loss of information. In comparison to learning based compression, namely principal component analysis (PCA), the random projections resulted in comparable performance already at high compression ratios depending on the sparsity of the original features.
Wire speed packet classification without tcams: a few more registers (and a bit of logic) are enough

Packet classification is the foundation of many Internet functions such as QoS and security. A long thread of research has proposed efficient software-based solutions to this problem. Such software solutions are attractive because they require cheap memory systems for implementation, thus bringing down the overall cost of the system. In contrast, hardware-based solutions use more expensive memory systems, e.g., TCAMs, but are often preferred by router vendors for their faster classification speeds. The goal of this paper is to find a "best-of-both-worlds" solution -- a solution that incurs the cost of a software-based system and has the speed of a hardware-based one. Our proposed solution, called smart rule cache achieves this goal by using minimal hardware -- a few additional registers -- to cache evolving rules which preserve classification semantics, and additional logic to match incoming packets to these rules. Using real traffic traces and real rule sets from a tier-1 ISP, we show such a setup is sufficient to achieve very high hit ratios for fast classification in hardware. Cache miss ratios are 2 ∼ 4 orders of magnitude lower than flow cache schemes. Given its low cost and good performance, we believe our solution may create significant impact on current industry practice.
Topological Robotics: Subspace Arrangements and Collision Free Motion Planning

We study an elementary problem of the topological robotics: collective motion of a set of $n$ distinct particles which one has to move from an initial configuration to a final configuration, with the requirement that no collisions occur in the process of motion. The ultimate goal is to construct an algorithm which will perform this task once the initial and the final configurations are given. This reduces to a topological problem of finding the topological complexity TC(C_n(\R^m)) of the configutation space C_n(\R^m) of $n$ distinct ordered particles in \R^m. We solve this problem for m=2 (the planar case) and for all odd m, including the case m=3 (particles in the three-dimensional space). We also study a more general motion planning problem in Euclidean space with a hyperplane arrangement as obstacle.
Neurotransmitter- and Growth Factor-Induced cAMP Response Element Binding Protein Phosphorylation in Glial Cell Progenitors: Role of Calcium Ions, Protein Kinase C, and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Ribosomal S6 Kinase Pathway

To understand how extracellular signals may produce long-term effects in neural cells, we have analyzed the mechanism by which neurotransmitters and growth factors induce phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in cortical oligodendrocyte progenitor (OP) cells. Activation of glutamate receptor channels by kainate, as well as stimulation of G-protein-coupled cholinergic receptors by carbachol and tyrosine kinase receptors by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), rapidly leads to mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) activation. Kainate and carbachol activation of the MAPK pathway requires extracellular calcium influx and is accompanied by protein kinase C (PKC) induction, with no significant increase in GTP binding to Ras. Conversely, growth factor-stimulated MAPK phosphorylation is independent of extracellular calcium and is accompanied by Ras activation. Both basal and stimulated MAPK activity in OP cells are influenced by cytoplasmic calcium levels, as shown by their sensitivity to the calcium chelator bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetra-acetic acid. The kinetics of CREB phosphorylation in response to the various agonists corresponds to that of MAPK activation. Moreover, CREB phosphorylation and MAPK activation are similarly affected by calcium ions. The MEK inhibitor PD 098059, which selectively prevents activation of the MAPK pathway, strongly reduces induction of CREB phosphorylation by kainate, carbachol, bFGF, and the phorbol ester TPA. We propose that in OPs the MAPK/RSK pathway mediates CREB phosphorylation in response to calcium influx, PKC activation, and growth factor stimulation.
Oxidative potential of ﬁ ne particulate matter emitted from traditional and improved biomass cookstoves †

Exposure to PM 2.5 emitted from traditional biomass cookstoves is a signi ﬁ cant health risk for nearly one-third of the global population. Improved cookstoves aim to reduce pollutant emissions, but there is limited evidence of whether PM 2.5 toxicity is also reduced. Using the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay to measure the potential for PM 2.5 chemical components to induce oxidative stress through antioxidant depletion and/or oxidant generation, we characterized the mass-and volume-normalized DTT activity of PM 2.5 emitted from a traditional three-stone ﬁ re cookstove and three improved cookstoves burning wood or charcoal fuels. Although improved cookstoves typically yield lower PM 2.5 mass concentrations compared to traditional three-stone cookstove, exposure to DTT active PM 2.5 is not always reduced due to increases in mass-normalized DTT activity. A notable decrease in DTT active PM 2.5 exposure (by 67%) was only observed for a forced-draft improved cookstove burning wood, where low PM 2.5 mass concentration o ﬀ sets the increased mass-normalized DTT activity. Additionally, elemental carbon and water-soluble organic matter were identi ﬁ ed as key predictors of volume-normalized DTT activity. Compared to wood, the use of charcoal led to a 61 – 86% reduction in exposure to DTT active PM 2.5 , owing to both lower PM 2.5 mass concentration and mass-normalized DTT activity. This further supports a proposed strategy whereby biomass fuel treatment can potentially reduce household exposure to toxic PM 2.5 . Collectively, our ﬁ ndings emphasized the need to consider not only the mass concentration but also the toxic properties of PM 2.5 when evaluating the health impacts of cookstoves and fuels.
Paleomagnetism of the Gran Sasso range salient (central Apennines, Italy): Pattern of orogenic rotations due to translation of a massive carbonate indenter

We report on the paleomagnetism (39 new sites) of Gran Sasso, an indenter‐controlled salient of the external central Apennines formed by two orthogonal limbs. We find that Gran Sasso is a complex salient, paleomagnetically corresponding to neither a nonrotating nor an oroclinal end‐member. Data from the core of the arc show that the indenter itself did not undergo any rotation. Conversely, rotations of variable magnitude and sign are observed along the curve‐shaped thrust fronts. Rotations are virtually absent at both end points of the arc. Moving toward the apex, progressively greater counterclockwise (CCW) and clockwise (CW) rotations occur along the E‐W and N‐S fronts, respectively. The rotations increase continuously and more than linearly, reaching their maximum values (∼80° CCW and ∼50° CW) around the apex. Here, the more strongly CCW and CW rotated fronts are separated by a domain characterized by local block rotations. The inequality between the maximum CCW and CW rotation values is likely a consequence of the asymmetry of the indenter displacement direction (N70°E) with respect to the preorogenic trends of its margins (E‐W and N‐S). From an oroclinal point of view, the fronts close to the end points virtually define a nonrotating arc, while the pattern around the apex is similar to that of an orocline. We conclude that close to end points, nonrotational thrusting normal to the indenter margins occurred, while in the vicinity of the apex, the peritidal carbonates acted as an “ice breaker”, pushing apart (and strongly rotating) the weaker multilayer located ahead.
Complement Activation and Cytokine Production and Their Complement Activation and Cytokine Production and Their Relation to Cardiovascular Changes in Hemodialysis Patients Relation to Cardiovascular Changes in Hemodialysis Patients

Background : End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a very consequential medical condition that has been identi ﬁ ed as a signi ﬁ cant concern in the ﬁ eld of public health, impacting a global population exceeding 2.6 million individuals. Despite notable advancements in hemodialysis (HD) treatments over the past few decades, individuals with ESRD continue to have a substantial burden of cardiovascular disease and face a heightened risk of mortality. Aim : Our study aimed at assessment of complement activation and cytokine production and their relation to cardio-vascular changes in HD patients. Patients and methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted in dialysis units in Al-Hussein University Hospital. Over a period of 6 months (from May 1, 2021 to November 31, 2021), 25 ESRD patients were included in the study as regards the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results : The current study showed that there was a signi ﬁ cant increase in the right intima-media thickness mean at the end of the study. Left intima-media thickness had a signi ﬁ cant correlation with interleukin-6 (IL-6) at the start of the study after 1 h of HD. IL-6 also correlated signi ﬁ cantly with the right carotid plaque, left carotid signi ﬁ cant stenosis, and left carotid calci ﬁ cation at the end of the study after 1 h of HD. Complement 3d had a signi ﬁ cant correlation with ejection fraction% at the start of the study after 1 h of HD. Conclusion : The current study showed that there was a continuous increase in IL-6 and complement 3d levels in HD patients. This means that complement activation and cytokine production were signi ﬁ cantly related to cardiovascular changes in HD patients.