Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FlightPath: Obedience vs. Choice in Cooperative Services

We present FlightPath, a novel peer-to-peer streaming application that provides a highly reliable data stream to a dynamic set of peers. We demonstrate that FlightPath reduces jitter compared to previous works by several orders of magnitude. Furthermore, FlightPath uses a number of run-time adaptations to maintain low jitter despite 10% of the population behaving maliciously and the remaining peers acting selfishly. At the core of FlightPath's success are approximate equilibria. These equilibria allow us to design incentives to limit selfish behavior rigorously, yet they provide sufficient flexibility to build practical systems. We show how to use an Ɛ-Nash equilibrium, instead of a strict Nash, to engineer a live streaming system that uses bandwidth efficiently, absorbs flash crowds, adapts to sudden peer departures, handles churn, and tolerates malicious activity.
QUALITY OF YOGURT BLENDED WITH THYMUS KOTSCHYANUS ESSENTIAL OIL

In agreement with the current trend of giving value to natural and renewable resources, the use ofnatural antimicrobial compounds, particularly in food and biomedical applications, becomes very frequent. Thebehaviour of Listeria monocytogenes during the cold storage (10 days) of yoghurt which was produced withThymus Kotschyanus essential oil (0, 50, 150 and 300 ppm EO) with sensory attributes of yoghurt wereinvestigated, in addition, The viability of starter culture bacteria were studied. Viable counts of L. monocytogenesfall was sharp from 3.00 to 1.07 (log cfu/g) at the first day and was not present at the other storage day in yoghurtwith 300 ppm EO. In spite of L. monocytogenes could be isolated and counted in days 7 from control sample (1.19log cfu/g). Yoghurt made with 150 ppm of the EO had the highest starter culture bacteria count at the end of storage.Considering the organoleptic effect of the EO, the best treatment with acceptable flavor, good appearance wasobtained at 50 ppm EO. In conclusion, the combination of T. Kotschyanus EO treatment and other naturalpreservative was significantly effective in the inactivation of foodborne pathogens while maintaining acceptableyoghurt quality.Keywords: Yoghurt, Thymus kotschyanus EO, Listeria monocytogenes
Capacity Bounds for Networks With Correlated Sources and Characterisation of Distributions by Entropies

Characterising the capacity region for a network can be extremely difficult. Even with independent sources, determining the capacity region can be as hard as the open problem of characterising all information inequalities. The majority of computable outer bounds in the literature are relaxations of the linear programming bound, which involves entropy functions of random variables related to the sources and link messages. When sources are not independent, the problem is even more complicated. Extension of linear programming bounds to networks with correlated sources is largely open. Source dependence is usually specified through a joint probability distribution, and one of the main challenges in extending linear program bounds is the difficulty (or impossibility) of characterising arbitrary dependences via entropy functions. This paper tackles the problem by answering the question of how well entropy functions can characterise correlation among sources. We show that by using carefully chosen auxiliary random variables, the characterisation can be fairly “accurate”. Using such auxiliary random variables, we also give implicit and explicit outer bounds on the capacity of networks with correlated sources. The characterisation of correlation or joint distribution via Shannon entropy functions is also applicable to other information measures, such as Rényi entropy and Tsallis entropy.
Metabolic syndrome after a liver transplantation in an Asian population.

BACKGROUND With improvements in patient survival after a liver transplantation (LT), long-term sequelae such as metabolic syndrome (MS) have become increasingly common. This study aims to characterize the prevalence, associations and long-term outcomes of post-LTMS and its components in an Asian population. METHODS A retrospective review of all adult patients who underwent LT at the National University Health System Singapore between December 1996 and May 2012 was performed. MS was defined using the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria modified for an Asian population. RESULTS The median age of this cohort of 90 patients was 50.0 (16.0-67.0) years, with a median follow-up duration of 60.0 (7.0-192.0) months. The prevalence of post-LTMS was 35.6%, diabetes mellitus (DM) 51.1%, hypertension 60.0%, obesity 26.7% and dyslipidaemia 46.7%. On univariate analysis, factors significantly associated with post-LT MS include female gender (P = 0.066), pre-LT respiratory comorbidities (P = 0.038), pre-LT obesity (P = 0.014), pre-LTDM (P < 0.001), pre-LT hypertension (P = 0.039), pre-LTMS (P < 0.001), prednisolone use ≥24 months (P = 0.005) and mycophenolate mofetil use ≥24 months (P = 0.035). On multivariate analysis, independent associations of post-LT MS were pre-LTDM (P = 0.011) and pre-LTMS (P = 0.024). There was no difference in long-term survival of patients with and without post-LTMS (P = 0.425). CONCLUSION In conclusion, pre-LT components of the MS and the use of certain immunosuppressants are related to developing post-LTMS.
Balancing Easy and Hard Distortions: A Multi-Rate Knowledge Distillation Strategy for Blind Image Quality Assessment

In the evolving fields of computer vision and image processing, Image Quality Assessment (IQA) has become essential due to the prevalence of digital images in today’s applications. Our comprehensive study underscores that current IQA models demonstrate varied learning aptitudes towards different image distortions. Notably, these models, employing a uniform learning rate, often yield suboptimal results for certain challenging distortions, affecting the overall evaluation precision. Addressing this challenge, we present an innovative online knowledge distillation strategy named Multi-Rate Knowledge Distillation (MRKD). Our approach fosters the student model to assimilate diverse features from the teacher model, leveraging self-distillation regularization to enhance its generalization capability while enabling the student model to circumvent the pitfalls of local optima. This approach leverages two models with varying learning rates, wherein a high learning rate teacher model mentors a student model with a lower rate. Extensive testing on the TID2013, KADID-10k, and LIVEC datasets has validated the efficacy of our MRKD approach, demonstrating its potential in enhancing performance for challenging distortion types.
Time-space lower bounds for satisfiability

We establish the first polynomial time-space lower bounds for satisfiability on general models of computation. We show that for any constant <i>c</i> less than the golden ratio there exists a positive constant <i>d</i> such that no deterministic random-access Turing machine can solve satisfiability in time <i>n</i><sup><i>c</i></sup> and space <i>n</i><sup><i>d</i></sup>, where <i>d</i> approaches 1 when <i>c</i> does. On conondeterministic instead of deterministic machines, we prove the same for any constant <i>c</i> less than &2radic;. Our lower bounds apply to nondeterministic linear time and almost all natural NP-complete problems known. In fact, they even apply to the class of languages that can be solved on a nondeterministic machine in linear time and space <i>n</i><sup><i>1/c</i></sup>. Our proofs follow the paradigm of indirect diagonalization. We also use that paradigm to prove time-space lower bounds for languages higher up in the polynomial-time hierarchy.
Feature based retargeting of parameterized geometry

This paper presents an approach for mapping layouts of parametric surface patches to a target 3D geometry. Its main contribution is to facilitate the feature based placement of an arbitrary network of patches, assuring that both boundaries and parametric flow conform to features of the target shape. The technique, referred to as dynamic templates, describes the algorithms and interface of a reverse engineering system, Paraform, that integrates techniques relying on a judicious choice of automation and user guided tools. Our approach is based on a use of constrained optimization for the fairing of structured surface grids, where grid points can be unconstrained in 3D or constrained to lie within the parameter space of curves, surfaces, or other geometry. We present our results as case studies in large industrial workflow problems, involving the reuse of geometric data.
Adaptive spectral estimators for fast flow-profile detection

In multigate spectral Doppler (MSD) analysis, hundreds of small sample volumes (SVs) aligned along a pulse wave-line can be simultaneously investigated. The so-called spectral profile, reporting the scatterers' velocity distribution in a vessel, is obtained by estimating the frequency content of the echoes detected from each SV. The preferred frequency estimator is the Welch method, which is robust and fast, but requires an observation window (OW) of at least 64 to 128 samples to guarantee adequate spectral resolution. The blood amplitude and phase estimator (BAPES) and the blood iterative adaptive approach (BIAA) are alternative methods which were recently proven to be capable of producing good spectrograms from one SV using shorter OWs. This paper shows that BAPES and BIAA can be successfully applied to MSD estimations. The use of short OWs can be exploited to produce spectral profiles with high temporal resolution and/or to perform simultaneous investigations at multiple sites. Two in vivo examples of application are reported: in the first, the blood velocity distribution during the fast systolic acceleration in a carotid artery is detailed with high temporal resolution; in the second, four spectral profiles are simultaneously detected at different sites of the carotid bifurcation.
MaF: An Ontology Matching Framework

In this work, we present our experience when developing the Matching Framework (MaF), a framework for matching ontologies that allows users to configure their own ontology matching algorithms and it allows developers to perform research on new complex algorithms. MaF provides numerical results instead of logic results provided by other kinds of algorithms. The framework can be configured by selecting the simple algorithms which will be used from a set of 136 basic algorithms, indicat- ing exactly how many and how these algorithms will be composed and selecting the thresholds for retrieving the most promising mappings. Output results are provided in a standard format so that they can be used in many existing tools (evaluators, media- tors, viewers, and so on) which follow this standard. The main goal of our work is not to better the existing solutions for ontology matching, but to help research new ways of combining algorithms in order to meet specific needs. In fact, the system can test more than 6 · 136! possible combinations of algorithms, but the graphical interface is designed to simplify the matching process.
Further Results on Delay-Dependent Stability Criteria of Neural Networks With Time-Varying Delays

In this brief paper, an augmented Lyapunov functional, which takes an integral term of state vector into account, is introduced. Owing to the functional, an improved delay-dependent asymptotic stability criterion for delayed neural networks (NNs) is derived in term of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). It is shown that the obtained criterion can provide less conservative result than some existing ones. When linear fractional uncertainties appear in NNs, a new robust delay-dependent stability condition is also given. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach.
Public-key cryptography from different assumptions: A multi-bit version

At STOC 2010, Applebaum, Barak and Wigderson introduced three new public-key cryptosystems based on combinatorial assumptions. In their paper, only encryption of bits has been considered. In this paper, we focus on one of their schemes and adapt it to encrypt a constant number of bits in a single ciphertext without changing the size of the public key. We add wire-tap channel techniques to improve the security level of our scheme, thus reaching indistinguishability. We show that it is homomorphic for the XOR operation on bit strings. We also suggest concrete parameters for a first instantiation of our scheme.
The influenza virus hemagglutinin cytoplasmic tail is not essential for virus assembly or infectivity.

The influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein contains a cytoplasmic tail which consists of 10‐11 amino acids, of which five residues re conserved in all subtypes of influenza A virus. As the cytoplasmic tail is not needed for intracellular transport to the plasma membrane, it has become virtually dogma that the role of the cytoplasmic tail is in forming protein‐protein interactions necessary for creating an infectious budding virus. To investigate the role of the HA cytoplasmic tail in virus replication, reverse genetics was used to obtain an influenza virus that lacked an HA cytoplasmic tail. The rescued virus contained the HA of subtype A/Udorn/72 in a helper virus (subtype A/WSN/33) background. Biochemical analysis indicated that only the introduced tail‐ HA was incorporated into virions and these particles lacked a detectable fragment of the helper virus HA. The tail‐ HA rescued virus assembled and replicated almost as efficiently as virions containing wild‐type HA, suggesting that the cytoplasmic tail is not essential for the virus assembly process. Nonetheless, a revertant virus was isolated, suggesting that possession of a cytoplasmic tail does confer an advantage.
CHEMICALLY VAPOR DEPOSITED YTTRIA-STABILIZED ZIRCONIA (YSZ) FOR THERMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIER COATING

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is used as a thermal barrier coating (TBC) to protect super-alloy blades such as Mar-M247 or Rene-N5 during engine operation. The current method for YSZ fabrication for TBC applications is by air-plasma spraying (APS) or electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) (Haynes 1997). APS gives reasonable deposition rates, but has a limited life and aging effects due to its porous and lamellar structure. The EB-PVD coatings are more stable and can accommodate thermomechanical stresses due to their characteristic strain-tolerant, columnar microstructure. EB-PVD, however, is primarily line-of-sight, which often leaves ''hidden areas'' uncoated, has low throughput, and has high capital cost. The process of metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is investigated here as an economical alternative to EB-PVD and APS, with the potential for better overall coverage as well as the ability to produce thick (100-250 {micro}m), strain-tolerant, columnar coatings. MOCVD of YSZ involves the use of zirconium and yttrium organometallic precursors reacting with an oxygen source. Previous researchers have used diketonate or chloride precursors and oxygen (Wahl et al. 2001a, Wahl et al. 2001b, Yamane and Harai 1989). These precursors have low transport rates due to their low carrier solvent solubility (Varanasi et al. 2003). Solvated zirconiummore » and yttrium butoxide precursors were investigated here due to their higher vapor pressures and high solvent solubility. This work uses predictive equilibrium modeling and experiments involving butoxide precursors for tetragonal YSZ fabrication. « less
Career Success, Participation and Representation of Women Academic Lecturers as Leaders in an Indonesian Tertiary Institution

The role of women in academic and structural positions in tertiary institutions is an important part of achieving gender equality, particularly in the educational sphere. The purpose of this research is to investigate the perceptions of women lecturers’ career success, participation, and representation, and to determine the factors that impede them or serve as barriers for women’s career success, participation, and representation in tertiary institutions. The research used a mixed methods approach, namely quantitative surveys that were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data and descriptive statistical results were used to carry out model gender analysis of Sara H. Longwee’s "Women's Capability Framework," which emphasizes the importance of development for women. Respondents were selected from Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya University, a private university based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Results show that women perceived that their career success, participation, and representation in tertiary institutions were adequate. On the other hand, the barriers that impede the women’s career success, participation, and representation in tertiary institutions were both internal and external barriers, with internal barriers such as domestic affairs, psychological and emotional, ego and arrogance, and time management, playing a bigger role as impediments. Hence, it is recommended that tertiary institutions in Indonesia develop and enforce firm gender mainstreaming policies to support women in the workplace to overcome these barriers that hinder their career success, participation and representation.
Social media enhances languages differentiation: a mathematical description

Understanding and predicting the evolution of competing languages is a topic of high interest in a world with more than 6000 languages competing in a highly connected environment. We consider a reasonable mathematical model describing a situation of competition between two languages and analyse the effect of the speakers' connectivity (i.e. social networks). Surprisingly, instead of homogenizing the system, a high degree of connectivity helps to introduce differentiation for the appropriate parameters.
Dependence of hemoglobin mass estimation with the optimized CO‐rebreathing method on different spectrophotometers

The assessment of total hemoglobin mass (tHb‐mass) with the optimized carbon monoxide‐rebreathing procedure (oCOR) is discussed as a promising method to detect blood doping. The method requires repeated measurements of the carboxyhemoglobin fraction (%HbCO) using spectrophotometers (CO oximeters). In order to determine whether %HbCO measurements with different spectrophotometers yield similar tHb‐masses, the results of 57 tHb‐mass calculations from simultaneous %HbCO measurements with two different spectrophotometers (RapidLab, OSM3) were analyzed. For the comparison of longitudinal tHb‐mass alterations (ΔtHb‐mass), 3 tHb‐mass measurements were obtained at 6‐month intervals (33–37 subjects). Because of significant differences in %HbCO measurements, the limits of agreement for tHb‐massOSM3 and tHb‐massRapidLab were 11.2% (95% reference range −6.8 to +15.6%) and the correlation of ΔtHb‐masses as determined with the two spectrophotometers over two time intervals was weak (r: 0.28–0.66). In only about 70% of all ΔtHb‐mass estimations did ΔtHb‐massOSM3 and ΔtHb‐massRapidLab show the same direction of change. Apparently, the analytical variation in tHb‐mass determination with oCOR increases considerably with the use of different spectrophotometers. Therefore, agreement on the use of one spectrophotometer that accurately measures low %HbCO values is needed if oCOR should be used in an anti‐doping setting.
Identifying transition cows at risk and how best to manage them.

The periparturient period or “transition” phase (generally accepted as the period beginning 3 weeks prior to calving and ending 3 weeks following calving) is one of the critical points in dairy production where risks to animal welfare are highest (von Keyserlingk et al., 2009). During the transition period, cows face a number of stressors, including diet changes and social regroupings, and the physical, hormonal and physiological changes associated with calving and the onset of lactation. One of the main challenges for transition dairy cows is a sudden increase in nutrient requirements to support the onset of lactation at a time when dry matter intake lags behind (Drackley, 1999).
Channel estimation technique with SNR measurement by minimum accumulated distance of Viterbi decoder

This paper addresses channel estimation technique with SNR measurements for low SNRs. The LS estimator is simple and adequate for high SNRs, but the LMMSE estimator of assuming a priori knowledge of SNR value and channel covariance has a better gain over LS estimator for low SNRs. In this paper we propose an SNR measurement method with a little complexity by using minimum accumulated distance in Viterbi decoder. The measured SNR value is used in the LMMSE estimator and the performance is presented both in terms of mean square error and bit error rate compared to the LS estimator and the perfect channel state information case.
Sampling Variation, Monotone Instrumental Variables and the Bootstrap Bias Correction

This paper discusses the finite sample bias of analogue bounds under the monotone instrumental variables assumption. By analyzing the bias function, we first propose a conservative estimator which is biased downwards (upwards) when the analogue estimator is biased upwards (downwards). Using the bias function, we then show the mechanism of the parametric bootstrap correction procedure, which can reduce but not eliminate the bias, and there is also a possibility of overcorrection.This motivates us to propose a simultaneous multi-level bootstrap procedure so as to further correct the remaining bias. The procedure is justified under the assumption that the bias function can be well approximated by a polynomial. Our multi-level bootstrap algorithm is feasible and does not suffer from the curse of dimensionality. Monte Carlo evidence supports the usefulness of this approach and we apply it to the disability misreporting problem studied by Kreider and Pepper(2007).
Combined Influence of LDLR and HMGCR Sequence Variation on Lipid-Lowering Response to Simvastatin

Objective—Although statins are efficacious for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, there is wide interindividual variation in response. We tested the extent to which combined effects of common alleles of LDLR and HMGCR can contribute to this variability. Methods and Results—Haplotypes in the LDLR 3′-untranslated region (3-UTR) were tested for association with lipid-lowering response to simvastatin treatment in the Cholesterol and Pharmacogenetics trial (335 blacks and 609 whites). LDLR haplotype 5 (LDLR L5) was associated with smaller simvastatin-induced reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B (P=0.0002 to 0.03) in blacks but not whites. The combined presence of LDLR L5 and previously described HMGCR haplotypes in blacks was associated with significantly attenuated apolipoprotein B reduction (−22.4±1.5%, N=89) compared with both noncarriers (−30.6±1.5%, N=78, P=0.0001) and carriers of either individual haplotype (−28.2±1.1%, N=158, P=0.001). We observed similar differences when measuring simvastatin-mediated induction of low-density lipoprotein receptor surface expression using lymphoblast cell lines (P=0.03). Conclusion—We have identified a common LDLR 3-UTR haplotype that is associated with attenuated lipid-lowering response to simvastatin treatment. Response was further reduced in individuals with both LDLR and previously described HMGCR haplotypes. Previously identified racial differences in statin efficacy were partially explained by the greater prevalence of these combined haplotypes in blacks.