Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Representation-Independent In-Place Magnification with Sigma Lenses

Focus+context interaction techniques based on the metaphor of lenses are used to navigate and interact with objects in large information spaces. They provide in-place magnification of a region of the display without requiring users to zoom into the representation and consequently lose context. In order to avoid occlusion of its immediate surroundings, the magnified region is often integrated in the context using smooth transitions based on spatial distortion. Such lenses have been developed for various types of representations using techniques often tightly coupled with the underlying graphics framework. We describe a representation-independent solution that can be implemented with minimal effort in different graphics frameworks, ranging from 3D graphics to rich multiscale 2D graphics combining text, bitmaps, and vector graphics. Our solution is not limited to spatial distortion and provides a unified model that makes it possible to define new focus+context interaction techniques based on lenses whose transition is defined by a combination of dynamic displacement and compositing functions. We present the results of a series of user evaluations that show that one such new lens, the speed-coupled blending lens, significantly outperforms all others.
A Sociopolitical View of Mental Health: An Exploration of the Lived Experiences of Policymakers Regarding their Perspectives Surrounding Mental Health Policy Construction

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Dracontiasis in antiquity.

Dracontiasis is an infestation ofman by the guineaworm, Dracunculus medinensis; a similar infestation also occurs in animals,' and a related species, Dracunculus insignis, is known to infect racoons, mink, and dogs.2 The disease, at the present time, has a wide distribution throughout tropical and subtropical regions ofthe world. The rate of human infestation varies with the possibility of the definitive host (man) and the alternative host (Cyclops sp.) being able to maintain the life cycle of the parasite.3 Because the life cycle of Dracunulus medinensis was unknown in antiquity, it must have been difficult to make an early diagnosis of the clinical condition, and also to provide satisfactory treatment for the patients. Nevertheless, physicians in antiquity were acute observers of any abnormality, and have provided us with well-documented reports of many human ailments which were not properly diagnosed by them, including some that may be diagnosed as dracontiasis. Some of these texts are discussed below.
Large-Scale Online Feature Selection for Ultra-High Dimensional Sparse Data

Feature selection (FS) is an important technique in machine learning and data mining, especially for large-scale high-dimensional data. Most existing studies have been restricted to batch learning, which is often inefficient and poorly scalable when handling big data in real world. As real data may arrive sequentially and continuously, batch learning has to retrain the model for the new coming data, which is very computationally intensive. Online feature selection (OFS) is a promising new paradigm that is more efficient and scalable than batch learning algorithms. However, existing online algorithms usually fall short in their inferior efficacy. In this article, we present a novel second-order OFS algorithm that is simple yet effective, very fast and extremely scalable to deal with large-scale ultra-high dimensional sparse data streams. The basic idea is to exploit the second-order information to choose the subset of important features with high confidence weights. Unlike existing OFS methods that often suffer from extra high computational cost, we devise a novel algorithm with a MaxHeap-based approach, which is not only more effective than the existing first-order algorithms, but also significantly more efficient and scalable. Our extensive experiments validated that the proposed technique achieves highly competitive accuracy as compared with state-of-the-art batch FS methods, meanwhile it consumes significantly less computational cost that is orders of magnitude lower. Impressively, on a billion-scale synthetic dataset (1-billion dimensions, 1-billion non-zero features, and 1-million samples), the proposed algorithm takes less than 3 minutes to run on a single PC.
Involvement of ATM in homologous recombination after end resection and RAD51 nucleofilament formation

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is needed for the initiation of the double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination (HR). ATM triggers DSB end resection by stimulating the nucleolytic activity of CtIP and MRE11 to generate 3′-ssDNA overhangs, followed by RPA loading and RAD51 nucleofilament formation. Here we show for the first time that ATM is also needed for later steps in HR after RAD51 nucleofilament formation. Inhibition of ATM after completion of end resection did not affect RAD51 nucleofilament formation, but resulted in HR deficiency as evidenced by (i) an increase in the number of residual RAD51/γH2AX foci in both S and G2 cells, (ii) the decrease in HR efficiency as detected by HR repair substrate (pGC), (iii) a reduced SCE rate and (iv) the radiosensitization of cells by PARP inhibition. This newly described role for ATM was found to be dispensable in heterochromatin-associated DSB repair, as KAP1-depletion did not alleviate the HR-deficiency when ATM was inhibited after end resection. Moreover, we demonstrated that ATR can partly compensate for the deficiency in early, but not in later, steps of HR upon ATM inhibition. Taken together, we describe here for the first time that ATM is needed not only for the initiation but also for the completion of HR.
Early Interventionists’ Caregiver Coaching: A Mixed Methods Approach Exploring Experiences and Practices

Early intervention (EI) for infants and toddlers with disabilities relies on family-centered practices. Caregiver coaching, one family-centered practice used in EI, can lead to improved supports by caregivers and improved outcomes for children with disabilities. However, within the research literature, little is understood about the experiences, practices, and barriers EI providers face when coaching caregivers. To understand these issues, a mixed method design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data using questionnaires, EI provider interviews, and coaching logs from EI providers. Results from all three data collection sources for 19 early interventionists provide insight into the perceptions, experiences, benefits, and barriers of caregiver coaching as shared by EI providers in one state. Implications for practice, future research directions, and limitations are discussed.
A more rapidly mixing Markov chain for graph colorings

We define a new Markov chain on (proper) k-colorings of graphs, and relate its convergence properties to the maximum degree Δ of the graph. The chain is shown to have bounds on convergence time appreciably better than those for the well-known Jerrum/Salas–Sokal chain in most circumstances. For the case k=2Δ, we provide a dramatic decrease in running time. We also show improvements whenever the graph is regular, or fewer than 3Δ colors are used. The results are established using the method of path coupling. We indicate that our analysis is tight by showing that the couplings used are optimal in a sense which we define. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 13: 285–317, 1998
Technical efficiency and supply chain practices in dairying: The case of India

operation Flood programme not only accelerated the growth of the dairy sector but also helped india to become the world's largest milk producer. The production of milk has increased many times since the which is mainly due to the increased number of live - stock, especially buffaloes The productivity of this sector is low due to its small-scale operations, the mixed farming system, the lack of finance, and hybrid animals etc. increasing the efficiency in production is a significant factor of the productivity growth and it can be increased by using better technologies along with the better management of all crucial inputs, which are at the disposal of the farmers. A higher level of technical efficiency is essential for a higher profitability and to enhance the competitiveness in the dairying sector. Technical inefficiency connotes the ability of farms to produce the maximum possible output with Abstract: The presented paper investigates the technical efficiency of small dairy farmers in india using the stochastic production frontier function approach. The study reveals that building the supply chain can increase the efficiency of dai - ry farmers, as the milk producers who are part of a cooperative supply chain experienced a higher technical efficiency as compared to those who do not follow the modern supply chain practices. The milk producers in the supply chain are found better crisis managers as their inefficiency is the least attributed to their own decisions. The possession of the crossbred li - vestock, schooling of the manager and the institutional finance have been found affecting the efficiency of the dairy farmers positively and significantly. The study recommends the expansion in the supply chain network of the cooperative milk soci - eties for enhancing the efficiency and profitability of the dairy sector along with the provision of more crossbred livestock and an easy availability of finance. Key word: technical efficiency, cooperative milk supply chain, stochastic frontier
Symptoms of ADHD in Children with High-Functioning Autism Are Related to Impaired Verbal Working Memory and Verbal Delayed Recall

Symptoms similar to those found in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often occur in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The objective of the current study was to compare verbal working memory, acquisition and delayed recall in children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) to children with ADHD and typically developing children (TDC). Thirty-eight children with HFA, 79 with ADHD and 50 TDC (age 8–17) were assessed with a letter/number sequencing task and a verbal list-learning task. To investigate the possible influence of attention problems in children with HFA, we divided the HFA group into children with (HFA+) or without (HFA−) “attention problems” according to the Child Behaviour Checklist 6–18. The children with HFA+ displayed significant impairment compared to TDC on all three neurocognitive measures, while the children with HFA− were significantly impaired compared to TDC only on the working memory and acquisition measures. In addition, the HFA+ group scored significantly below the HFA− group and the ADHD group on the verbal working memory and delayed recall measures. The results support the proposition that children with HFA+, HFA−, and ADHD differ not only on a clinical level but also on a neurocognitive level which may have implications for treatment.
End-Use Load Shape Data Application, Estimation, and Collection: A State-of-the-Art Review

As electric utilities increasingly adopt least-cost integrated resource planning processes, their information needs about demand-side management (DSM) options expand considerably. Current utility supply-side planning methods involve detailed assessments of alternative resource plans that take explicit account of the time-varying nature of customers' demands for electricity. In order for demand-side options to be treated comparably to generation resources, planners need reliable information on their impact on system loads. Yet information on the components of aggregate electricity (i.e., end uses) and how they can be modified, especially at the level of temporal disaggregation used to evaluate generation options, is not widely available. A recent assessment of least-cost planning (LCP) concludes that uncertainty about the performance of DSM activities, including their impact on load shapes, is a major barrier to increased utility reliance on DSM for meeting customer's demands for electricity services. The goal of this paper is to assess progress in reducing this uncertainty by reviewing leading efforts to apply, estimate, and collect end-use load shape data for utility planning purposes. We begin by reviewing utility applications of end-use load shape data. For the purposes of this paper, these applications constitute the primary demand'' for load shape data. In the subsequent twomore » sections, we review current efforts to obtain end-use load shape data by estimation and by direct metering. Our discussion of these three topics begins with a brief historical summary and is followed by a review of the current state-of-the-art. We also speculate on promising future areas of research. These speculations form the basis for a final section, which describes our vision of the next generation of end-use load shape data applications, estimation, and collection. 44 refs., 1 tab. « less
Discussion of the Eyeballs Have it: Searching for the Value in Internet Stocks

This commentary describes an internet valuation paper by Trueman, Wong and Zang (TWZ) presented at the 2000 Journal of Accounting Research conference. TWZ investigate the role of accounting and internet use data in valuing internet firms, using a residual income valuation model and two "eyeball" measures of web activity. TWZ reveals that internet valuations in the 1998-99 period were consistent with investors: (1) differentially weighting permanent and transitory income statement components, (2) relying on non-financial measures of internet use, and (3) using different models for e-tailer vs. portal/content firms. Since the internet is a nascent industry, the TWZ's analysis is constrained by the short trading history, limited financial and non-financial data, and a small sample size. This commentary describes econometric, modeling, and interpretation-related concerns with the TWZ paper and offers suggestions for future research on "New Economy" firms.
A study on hot-carrier-induced photoemission in n-MOSFETs under dynamic operation

Two dimensional photoemission profiles from n-MOSFETs supplying various pulse waveforms to the gate were measured and analyzed by a photoemission microscope. TPC (Total Photon Counts) were proportional to average drain and substrate currents under dynamic operation as observed under DC operation. TPC profiles of wide channel width MOSFETs, however, varied along the channel width direction under dynamic operation. It suggests that the substrate current distribution fluctuates along the channel width direction and affects the device lifetime.
The Choice to Homeschool: Home Educator Perspectives and School District Options

Schools today are increasingly market driven, and public schools are competing for students with numerous other educational options. Homeschool education continues to grow rapidly as one such option. Minnesota, considered a leader in school choice, has experienced rapid growth in the incidence of home-educated children. Such growth raises questions for school administrators about why parents choose to homeschool their children and about implications for school district policies and practices. A sample of 600 Minnesota home educators was surveyed to explore these questions. Reasons for homeschooling corroborated those reported in previous studies, including religious beliefs, family closeness, dissatisfaction with socialization in schools, opportunities for hands-on learning, and a flexible lifestyle. Interactions with local public school personnel were reported to be largely supportive, and ideas were offered for improving support. Implications are offered, focused on public school policies and practices. Specifically discussed are considerations for determining whether to assume inclusive or exclusive stances toward homeschool children and their families.
Inefficient star formation: the combined effects of magnetic fields and radiative feedback

We investigate the effects of magnetic fields and radiative p rotostellar feedback on the star formation process using self-gravitating radiation magnetohydrodynamical calculations. We present results from a series of calculations of the collaps e of 50 M⊙ molecular clouds with various magnetic field strengths and with and without radiat ive transfer. We find that both magnetic fields and radiation have a dramatic impact on star formation, though the two effects are in many ways complementary. Magnetic fields primarily provide support on large scales to low density gas, whereas radiation is found to strongly suppress small-scale fragmentation by increasing the temperature in the high-density material near the protostars. With strong magnetic fields and radiative feedb ack the net result is an inefficient star formation process with a star formation rate of . 10% per free-fall time that approaches the observed rate, although we have only been able to follow the calculations for 1/3 of a free-fall time beyond the onset of star formation.
Short-term versus long-term decision trade-offs: Evidence from a model-based observational experiment with African small-scale farmers

Smallholder farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa recurrently face situations of complex and dynamic decision trade‐offs. Short‐term‐oriented activities such as fertilizer application help to cover immediate food needs but compromise on future food production. Long‐term‐oriented production activities such as building up soil fertility are important systemic leverage points; however, they compromise on today's harvests. This article uses a semicomputerized observational experiment in Zambia to investigate farm management decision making with conflicting production objectives in a dynamic context. The results reveal that, overall, Zambian smallholder farmers have a strong and significant preference for short‐term‐oriented production activities, which leads to a suboptimal performance in production in the long term. A mind shift towards more long‐term‐oriented production activities is required to sustainably increase food production. Our findings point at two things in this regard: First, we identify decision rules that successful performers have applied and that should be the basis for capacity building strategies. Second, we indicate that our approach itself contributed to recognition of the importance of a longer term perspective.
Impact of long-term civil disorders and wars on the trajectory of HIV epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa

From the mid-1970s, seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced civil disorders and wars lasting for at least 10 years. In two — Sierra Leone during 1991–2002, and Somalia from 1988 and continuing — adult HIV prevalence remained below 1%. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, HIV prevalence appears to have stabilised during post-1991 civil disorder and war. Limited information from Angola (civil war 1975–2002) and Liberia (civil disorder and war from 1989 and continuing) suggests low HIV prevalence. Mozambique's HIV prevalence was near 1% after its 1975 – 1992 civil war, but increased dramatically in the first post-war decade. Across African countries with long-term wars, HIV seems to have spread more slowly than in most neighbouring countries at peace. This evidence contributes to the ongoing debate about the factors that explain differential epidemic trajectories, a debate which is crucial to the design of HIV prevention programmes. One possible explanation for slow epidemic growth in wartime is that unsterile health care accounts for an important proportion of HIV transmission during peacetime, but much less when wars disrupt health services. However, other explanations are also possible. The roles of sex and blood exposures in HIV epidemics in war and peace await empirical determination.
Distributed Asynchronous Dual-Free Stochastic Dual Coordinate Ascent

With the boom of data, it is challenging to optimize a large-scale machine learning problem efficiently. Both of the convergence rate and scalability are nontrivial for an optimization method. Stochastic gradient descent (SGD) is widely applied in large-scale optimization, and it sacrifices its convergence rate for a lower computation complexity per iteration. Recently, variance reduction technique is proposed to accelerate the convergence of stochastic method, for example stochastic variance reduced gradient (SVRG), stochastic duall coordinate ascent (SDCA) or dual free stochastic dual coordinate ascent (dfSDCA). However, serial algorithm is not applicable when the data can not be stored in a single computer. In this paper, we propose Distributed Asynchronous Dual Free Coordinate Ascent method (dis-dfSDCA), and prove that it has linear convergence rate when the problem is convex and smooth. The stale gradient update is common in asynchronous method, and the effect of staleness on the performance of our method is also analyzed in the paper. We conduct experiments on large-scale data from LIBSVM on Amazon Web Services and experimental results demonstrate our analysis.
Hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons have a cholinergic phenotype

Neuronal networks originating in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus play fundamental roles in the control of energy balance. Neuropeptide Y (NPY)‐producing neurons in the arcuate nucleus stimulate food intake, whereas arcuate nucleus neurons that release the proopiomelanocortin (POMC)‐derived peptide α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) potently reduce food intake. Relatively little attention has been focused on classical neurotransmitters in regulation of food intake. Here, we have investigated the potential presence of acetylcholine (ACh) in NPY‐ and POMC‐containing neuronal populations of the arcuate nucleus. Antisera to proteins required for cholinergic neurotransmission, including choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), were employed in double‐labeling immunohistochemical experiments. In colchicine‐treated rats, ChAT‐ and VAChT‐immunopositive cell bodies were located in the ventral aspect of the arcuate nucleus. ChAT and VAChT immunoreactivities were demonstrated in α‐MSH‐ and cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART)‐containing cell bodies of the arcuate nucleus, whereas cell bodies containing NPY or agouti‐related peptide (AGRP) were distinct from VAChT‐immunoreactive neuronal perikarya. VAChT immunoreactivity was also present in a large number of α‐MSH‐containing nerve fiber varicosities throughout the central nervous system. In the commissural part of the nucleus tractus solitarius, no α‐MSH‐containing cell bodies were found to have ChAT or VAChT immunoreactivity. The presence of markers for cholinergic neurotransmission in a subpopulation of hypothalamic POMC/CART neurons suggests co‐release of ACh with peptides derived from the POMC precursor and CART. The results indicate a role for ACh in control of energy balance, mediating the effects of peripheral hormones such as leptin and insulin.