Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating sampling methods for uncooperative collections

Many server selection methods suitable for distributed information retrieval applications rely, in the absence of cooperation, on the availability of unbiased samples of documents from the constituent collections. We describe a number of sampling methods which depend only on the normal query-response mechanism of the applicable search facilities. We evaluate these methods on a number of collections typical of a personal metasearch application. Results demonstrate that biases exist for all methods, particularly toward longer documents, and that in some cases these biases can be reduced but not eliminated by choice of parameters.We also introduce a new sampling technique, "multiple queries", which produces samples of similar quality to the best current techniques but with significantly reduced cost.
Translational Examination of Changes in Baroreflex Function After Renal Denervation in Hypertensive Rats and Humans

Renal denervation has shown promise in the treatment of resistant hypertension, although the mechanisms underlying the blood pressure (BP) reduction remain unclear. In a translational study of spontaneously hypertensive rats (n=7, surgical denervation) and resistant hypertensive human patients (n=8; 5 men, 33–71 years), we examined the relationship among changes in BP, sympathetic nerve activity, and cardiac and sympathetic baroreflex function after renal denervation. In humans, mean systolic BP (SBP; sphygmomanometry) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (microneurography) were unchanged at 1 and 6 months after renal denervation (P<0.05). Interestingly, 4 of 8 patients showed a 10% decrease in SBP at 6 months, but sympathetic activity did not necessarily change in parallel with SBP. In contrast, all rats showed significant and immediate decreases in telemetric SBP and lumbar sympathetic activity (P<0.05), 7 days after denervation. Despite no change in SBP, human cardiac and sympathetic baroreflex function (sequence and threshold techniques) showed improvements at 1 and 6 months after denervation, particularly through increased sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity to falling BP. This was mirrored in spontaneously hypertensive rats; cardiac and sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (spontaneous sequence and the Oxford technique) improved 7 days after denervation. The more consistent results in rats may be because of a more complete (>90% reduction in renal norepinephrine content) denervation. We conclude that (1) renal denervation improves BP in some patients, but sympathetic activity does not always change in parallel, and (2) baroreflex sensitivity is consistently improved in animals and humans, even when SBP has not decreased. Determining procedural success will be crucial in advancing this treatment modality.
IMPLICATIONS OF VP/VS RATIO ON SHALLOW P AND S REFLECTION CORRELATION AND LITHOLOGY DISCRIMINATION

Summary Knowledge of subsurface material response to seismic energy can be important in developing an accurate siteresponse model. Seismic velocities can give insight into ground response and therefore construction requirements. An important aspect of this study is the accurate calculation of Vp/Vs ratio using P-wave and S-wave reflections from the same reflector. Accurate Vp/Vs ratios can give insight into lithology, pore fluid pressure and porosity, as well as engineering characteristics. However, correlating different reflection modes can be difficult due to changes in the bulk modulus not consistent with changes in the shear modulus for the same reflector. This can lead to inaccurate reflection correlation and incorrect Vp/Vs ratios. By utilizing multiple data types in the very near-surface, this study attempts to accurately correlate P-wave and S-wave reflections with reflectors, giving reflector specific rather than interval based calculations for Vp/Vs ratios, which can be used for lithologic interpretation, thus improving site response models.
Self-Esteem and Patients' Satisfaction After Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction

The objective of this article is to assess the impact of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction on self-esteem and to analyze the correlation between aesthetic outcome and self-esteem. Global self-esteem was evaluated using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in 31 patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstructions. A study-specific questionnaire and photographic evaluation were used by the patient, the plastic surgeon, and the oncological surgeon to measure satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome. Patients' satisfaction and self-esteem were analyzed for any existing correlation. Overall patients' satisfaction had a mean score of 6.55 (range, 0–10) on the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. A mean score of 32.48 (range, 10–40) was found on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. More than 80% of patients were content with their decision to undergo this procedure and would recommend this to a friend. Surgeons tended to rate the aesthetic outcome better than patients. Patients' satisfaction and self-esteem were found to be positively correlated. Patients are generally content with the outcome of primary DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The favorable aesthetic result of this procedure has a beneficial effect on patients' self-esteem.
Courts and Sovereign Eurobonds: Credibility of the Judicial Enforcement of Repayment

While focusing on the protection of distressed sovereigns, the current debate intended to reform the International Financial Architecture has hardly addressed the protection of creditors rights that varies among laws. I suspect however that this constitutes an essential determinant of the success of suggested solutions, especially under the contractual approach. Based on a sample of bonds issued by developing countries states in the period, January 1987 to December 1997, I find that, for given contract characteristics (e.g. listing markets and currency), the governing law is selected according to its ability to enforce repayment. However, although the New York law seems looser and incur larger enforcement costs than the England&Wales law, the former permits equivalent yearly credit amounts. I interpret this as a consequence of the existence of a larger set of valuable assets (e.g. trade) in the US that constitute implicit securities. My findings yield important implications for the reforms. In particular, provided that there exists a seemingly equivalent enforcement credibility between England and New York laws, the prompt implementation of the contractual approach solution should constitute a valuable first step toward efficient sovereign debt markets.
Comparison of data reduction techniques based on the performance of SVM-type classifiers

In this work, we applied several techniques for data reduction to publicly available datasets with the goal of comparing how an increasing level of compression affects the performance of SVM-type classifiers. We consistently attained correct rates in the neighborhood of 90%, with the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) having a slight edge over the other data reduction methods (PLS, SRM, and OMP). One dataset proved to be hard to classify, even in the case of no dimensionality reduction. Also in this most challenging dataset, performing PCA was considered to offer some advantages over the other compression techniques. Based on our assessment, data reduction appears a useful tool that can provide a significant reduction in signal processing load with acceptable loss in performance.
High-speed recursive digital filters based on the frequency-response masking approach

The frequency-response masking approach for highspeed recursive infinite-impulse response (IIR) digital filters is introduced. In this approach, the overall filter consists of a periodic model filter, its power-complementary periodic filter, and two masking filters. The model filters are composed of two all-pass filters in parallel, whereas the masking filters are linear-phase finite-impulse response (FIR) filters. The transfer functions of the all-pass filters are functions of z/sup M/, which implies that the maximal sample frequency for the overall filter is M times that of the corresponding conventional IIR filter. The maximal sample frequency can be increased to an arbitrary level for arbitrary bandwidths. The overall filter can be designed by separately optimizing the model and masking filters with the aid of conventional approximation techniques. The obtained overall filter also serves as a good initial filter for further optimization. Both nonlinear-phase and approximately linear-phase filters are considered. By using the new approach, the potential problems of pole-zero cancellations, which are inherent in algorithm transformation techniques, are avoided. Further, robust filters under finite-arithmetic conditions can always be obtained by using wave-digital all-pass filters and nonrecursive FIR filters. Several design examples are included illustrating the properties of the new filters.
Torso challenges for the acute care surgeon: technical solutions for large torso defects.

T he amalgamation of trauma surgery with nontrauma emer-gencies into the specialty of acute care surgery enhances the opportunities and challenges for both subdivisions. The technical skills developed in one area may be synergistically applied to the other area. This presentation highlights how these skills can be beneﬁcially applied to many surgical torso challenges faced by the acute care surgeon.
CyCADA: Cycle-Consistent Adversarial Domain Adaptation

Domain adaptation is critical for success in new, unseen environments. Adversarial adaptation models applied in feature spaces discover domain invariant representations, but are difficult to visualize and sometimes fail to capture pixel-level and low-level domain shifts. Recent work has shown that generative adversarial networks combined with cycle-consistency constraints are surprisingly effective at mapping images between domains, even without the use of aligned image pairs. We propose a novel discriminatively-trained Cycle-Consistent Adversarial Domain Adaptation model. CyCADA adapts representations at both the pixel-level and feature-level, enforces cycle-consistency while leveraging a task loss, and does not require aligned pairs. Our model can be applied in a variety of visual recognition and prediction settings. We show new state-of-the-art results across multiple adaptation tasks, including digit classification and semantic segmentation of road scenes demonstrating transfer from synthetic to real world domains.
Network Fluctuations Hinder Cooperation in Evolutionary Games

In this paper we study the influence of random network fluctuations on the behavior of evolutionary games on Barabási–Albert networks. This network class has been shown to promote cooperation on social dilemmas such as the Prisoner's Dilemma and the Snowdrift games when the population network is fixed. Here we introduce exogenous random fluctuations of the network links through several noise models, and we investigate the evolutionary dynamics comparing them with the known static network case. The results we obtain show that even a moderate amount of random noise on the network links causes a significant loss of cooperation, to the point that cooperation vanishes altogether in the Prisoner's Dilemma when the noise rate is the same as the agents' strategy revision rate. The results appear to be robust since they are essentially the same whatever the type of the exogenous noise. Besides, it turns out that random network noise is more important than strategy noise in suppressing cooperation. Thus, even in the more favorable situation of accumulated payoff in which links have no cost, the mere presence of random external network fluctuations act as a powerful limitation to the attainment of high levels of cooperation.
Evolutionary community detection in complex and dynamic networks

The discovery of communities in complex networks is a challenging problem with various applications in the real world. Classic examples of networks include transport networks, the immune system, human brain and social networks. Given a certain grouping of nodes into communities, a good measure is needed to evaluate the quality of the community structure based on the definition that a strong community has dense intra-connections and sparse outside community links. This paper investigates several fitness functions in an evolutionary approach to community detection in complex networks. Moreover, these fitness functions are used to study dynamic networks using an extended evolutionary algorithm designed to handle changes in the network structure. Computational experiments are performed for several real-world networks which have a known community structure and thus can be evaluated. The obtained results confirm the ability of the proposed method to efficiently detect communities for both static and dynamic complex networks.
H 2 O 2 stress-specific regulation of S . pombe MAPK Sty 1 by mitochondrial protein phosphatase Ptc 4

Yujun Di, Emily J Holmes, Amna Butt, Keren Dawson, Aleksandr Mironov, Vassilios N Kotiadis, Campbell W Gourlay, Nic Jones* and Caroline RM Wilkinson* Cell Regulation Group, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, EM Core Facility, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK and Department of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury Kent, UK
China as a persuader: CCTV Africa's first steps in the African mediasphere

Abstract China, in seeking greater engagement with African audiences, has dramatically boosted its potential to shape narratives in ways that can favour its image or interests abroad. Focusing on CCTV Africa, China's flagship efforts to win hearts and minds on the continent, the article explains how this strategy has been pursued not by directly offering an alternative image of China, but by advancing new ways of looking at Africa. The article offers insights into the innovations and contradictions associated with China's increased presence in African media. It examines how the concept of ‘positive reporting’ is making inroads in Africa, tapping into the narrative of a ‘rising Africa’ and challenging the Western conception of the media as watchdogs. The article also highlights how CCTV is adapting to liberal journalistic standards, embracing a more aggressive style of reporting to compete for loyalty in a market which is becoming increasingly crowded.
Facial expression recognition by applying multi-step integral projection and SVMs

In order to achieve subject-independent facial feature detection and extraction and obtain robustness against illumination variety, a novel method of facial expression recognition using the combination of multi-step integral projection and Gabor transformation for feature detection and SVM for classification is presented in this paper. First, to avoid manually picked expression features, we propose a new approach called multi-step integral projection to detect and locate the exact position of human facial features automatically. Second, we segment the extracted areas into small cells for 7×7 pixels each and apply Gabor transformation on each cell. This greatly reduces the execution time of the Gabor transformation while retaining important information. Third, a Support Vector Machine is used for classifying facial emotions and we tested our system on the JAFFE database while achieving a high recognition rate of 94.8357% on trained data. Finally, we discuss the effect of different parameters selection in Gabor transformation and analyze the reason for some incorrect recognition.
Effects of brand placement strength, prior game playing experience and game involvement on brand recall in advergames

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of brand placement strength on gamers’ brand recall as moderated by gamers’ prior game playing experience and game involvement in the context of advergames. Specifically, this research utilizes Limited Capacity Model of attention to explain how and under what conditions brand placements create attention, elaboration and subsequent brand recall. Design/methodology/approach – A 2 (brand placement strength: prominent versus subtle) × 2 (prior game playing experience: experienced versus inexperienced) × 2 (game involvement: high versus low involvement) between-subjects measures design is used. Empirical data were obtained from 220 undergraduate student gamers. A between-subjects measures ANOVA is used to test the hypotheses. Findings – There are several important findings that can be inferred from the results. First, inexperienced gamers report high brand recall in prominent brand placements than subtle brand placements, whereas for experienced game.
Peroxins Pex30 and Pex29 Dynamically Associate with Reticulons to Regulate Peroxisome Biogenesis from the Endoplasmic Reticulum*

Peroxisome proliferation occurs by at least two routes, division of existing peroxisomes and de novo biogenesis from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The proteins and molecular mechanisms governing peroxisome emergence from the ER are poorly characterized. In this study, we report that two integral membrane peroxins (proteins required for peroxisome biogenesis) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pex29 and Pex30, reside in distinct regions of the ER and associate with Rtn1 and Yop1, reticulon family members that contribute to ER morphology, to govern peroxisome emergence from the ER. In vivo and in vitro analyses reveal that peroxisome proliferation is therefore not restricted to the peroxisome but begins at the level of the ER.
Corrals and Critical Behavior of the Distribution of Fluctuational Paths.

We investigate, theoretically and by analog experiment, the distribution of paths for large fluctuations away from a stable state. We have found critical broadening of the distribution of the paths coming to a cusp point that represents the simplest generic singularity in the pattern of most probable (optimal) fluctuational paths in nonequilibrium systems. The critical behavior can be described by a Landau-type theory. We predict and observe two-ridged distributions for arrivals on a switching line that separates the areas reached along optimal paths of different types.
The Development of the Leisure Meanings Inventory

Researchers face several challenges when designing psychometric scales for measuring leisure meaning. These include the need for a construct definition and operational indicators that conceptualizes the nature of the leisure meaning and specifies the content of different meanings. This study describes the development of the Leisure Meanings Inventory as a multi-dimensional scale for measuring four qualitatively different ways of experiencing the meaning of leisure: Passing Time, Exercising Choice, Escaping Pressure, and Achieving Fulfillment. Testing the scale with 475 Australian residents confirmed a four-factor structure and the multi-dimensional nature of experiences, and indicated a moderate level of internal consistency. Discussion of the results considers the strengths, limitations, and potential theoretical and practical applications of the instrument.
What Explains Trends in Household Debt in Canada

Similar to the experiences in many other countries, household indebtedness in Canada has exhibited an upward trend over the past 30 years. Both mortgage and non-mortgage (consumer) credit have contributed to this development. In this article, the authors use microdata to highlight the main factors underlying the strong trend increase since the late 1990s. Favourable housing affordability, owing to factors such as income growth and low interest rates, has supported significant increases in home-ownership rates and mortgage debt. Much of the rise in consumer credit has been facilitated by higher housing values (used as collateral for loans) and financial innovation that makes it easier for households to access this credit.
Building 3-D city models from multiple unregistered profile maps

The paper presents an approach for building 3-D city models for virtual environments from multiple 3-D data sets acquired from different viewpoints by light striping. The raw data sets are represented as single valued parametric surfaces called the 3-D profile maps. The profile maps are registered to the same coordinate system by an iterative surface matching algorithm developed previously. The registration proceeds hierarchically from low to high resolution and all the data sets are matched simultaneously but an initial registration is assumed to be known. After having segmented each map by a region growing algorithm, the maps are integrated into a piecewise planar surface model by merging compatible segments in the overlapping areas. The borders of the segments are also traced an the parametric domains of the maps as a step for building a wireframe model. Test results are shown in the case of a scale model of an urban area digitized in laboratory conditions.
Is There a New Paradigm

This chapter offers a different sort of reflection on the synoptic problem, not pursuing the painstaking work of Catchpole in defending the independence of Matthew and Luke, but raising a more theoretical question of what it is that synoptic theories are designed to accomplish, taking as a point of departure the main British challenge to the Two Document hypothesis (2DH), Michael Goulder's "New Paradigm". It argues that Goulder has adopted a view of paradigms that corresponds more closely to Popper's view of scientific theories than it does to Thomas Kuhn's. The significance of this observation lies in the fact that it seems apparent that Goulder's interlocutors do not share his rather strict Popperian view of falsification. The chapter suggests that Goulder's own view is not a paradigm, at least by Kuhn's standards. It fits easily within the broad paradigm of gospels studies that have prevailed since the early 1800s. Keywords: David Catchpole; Matthew; Michael Goulder; Popperian view; Thomas Kuhn; Two Document hypothesis (2DH)
Counting on co-transcriptional splicing

Splicing is the removal of intron sequences from pre-mRNA by the spliceosome. Researchers working in multiple model organisms – notably yeast, insects and mammalian cells – have shown that pre-mRNA can be spliced during the process of transcription (i.e. co-transcriptionally), as well as after transcription termination (i.e. post-transcriptionally). Co-transcriptional splicing does not assume that transcription and splicing machineries are mechanistically coupled, yet it raises this possibility. Early studies were based on a limited number of genes, which were often chosen because of their experimental accessibility. Since 2010, eight studies have used global datasets as counting tools, in order to quantify co-transcriptional intron removal. The consensus view, based on four organisms, is that the majority of splicing events take place co-transcriptionally in most cells and tissues. Here, we discuss the nature of the various global datasets and how bioinformatic analyses were conducted. Considering the broad differences in experimental approach and analysis, the level of agreement on the prevalence of co-transcriptional splicing is remarkable.