Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indexing high-dimensional data for efficient in-memory similarity search

In main memory systems, the L2 cache typically employs cache line sizes of 32-128 bytes. These values are relatively small compared to high-dimensional data, e.g., >32D. The consequence is that existing techniques (on low-dimensional data) that minimize cache misses are no longer effective. We present a novel index structure, called /spl Delta/-tree, to speed up the high-dimensional query in main memory environment. The /spl Delta/-tree is a multilevel structure where each level represents the data space at different dimensionalities: the number of dimensions increases toward the leaf level. The remaining dimensions are obtained using principal component analysis. Each level of the tree serves to prune the search space more efficiently as the lower dimensions can reduce the distance computation and better exploit the small cache line size. Additionally, the top-down clustering scheme can capture the feature of the data set and, hence, reduces the search space. We also propose an extension, called /spl Delta//sup +/-tree, that globally clusters the data space and then partitions clusters into small regions. The /spl Delta//sup +/-tree can further reduce the computational cost and cache misses. We conducted extensive experiments to evaluate the proposed structures against existing techniques on different kinds of data sets. Our results show that the /spl Delta//sup +/-tree is superior in most cases.
Computer System for the Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills

Minimally invasive surgery demands the development and maintenance of the specialized surgeon’s psychomotor skills. These skills can be measured objectively through hybrid and virtual training systems. Of which, the most advanced, integrates force feedback systems and augmented reality graphics. However, these systems are inaccessible because of their high cost, limiting the expected academic impact. In this article, we propose a computerized system for an objective evaluation, which can be integrated into any physical trainer at a low cost.
Anti-collision algorithm for RFID tag identification using fast query tree

A fast tag anti-collision algorithm named Fast Query Tree (FQT) is presented. FQT is an improved technique based on query tree algorithm, the novelty of FQT is that it use a counter and a pointer in each tag for tag transmission arbitration, owing to the counter and pointer, which on the other hand remembered the reader's query history, reader just needs to transmit the last bit of the current prefix. The simulated results show that FQT can achieve a better performance than other conventional tree-based algorithms in terms of communication overhead, identification delay and speed.
Prime+Abort: A Timer-Free High-Precision L3 Cache Attack using Intel TSX

Last-Level Cache (LLC) attacks typically exploit timing side channels in hardware, and thus rely heavily on timers for their operation. Many proposed defenses against such side-channel attacks capitalize on this reliance. This paper presents PRIME+ABORT, a new cache attack which bypasses these defenses by not depending on timers for its function. Instead of a timing side channel, PRIME+ABORT leverages the Intel TSX hardware widely available in both server- and consumer-grade processors. This work shows that PRIME+ABORT is not only invulnerable to important classes of defenses, it also outperforms state-of-the-art LLC PRIME+PROBE attacks in both accuracy and efficiency, having a maximum detection speed (in events per second) 3× higher than LLC PRIME+PROBE on Intel's Skylake architecture while producing fewer false positives.
Reward Shaping with Recurrent Neural Networks for Speeding up On-Line Policy Learning in Spoken Dialogue Systems

Statistical spoken dialogue systems have the attractive property of being able to be optimised from data via interactions with real users. However in the reinforcement learning paradigm the dialogue manager (agent) often requires significant time to explore the state-action space to learn to behave in a desirable manner. This is a critical issue when the system is trained on-line with real users where learning costs are expensive. Reward shaping is one promising technique for addressing these concerns. Here we examine three recurrent neural network (RNN) approaches for providing reward shaping information in addition to the primary (task-orientated) environmental feedback. These RNNs are trained on returns from dialogues generated by a simulated user and attempt to diffuse the overall evaluation of the dialogue back down to the turn level to guide the agent towards good behaviour faster. In both simulated and real user scenarios these RNNs are shown to increase policy learning speed. Importantly, they do not require prior knowledge of the user's goal.
Movement characteristics of hamster and guinea pig spermatozoa upon attachment to the zona pellucida.

Movement characteristics of hamster and guinea pig spermatozoa were studied by high-speed cinemicrography before and after initial binding to the zona pellucida. Hamster spermatozoa that had previously undergone motility activation in vivo or in vitro maintained vigorous behavior upon zona attachment. They continued to propagate flagellar waves of large amplitude and curvature, although these waves were much more symmetrical than when prior to zona attachment. The hamster sperm activated in vitro appeared slightly stimulated upon zona attachment. Such spermatozoa also bound to the zonae pellucidae of mouse eggs, and they exhibited similar movements. Preactivated hamster spermatozoa, fresh from the epididymis, did attach to the hamster zona, but exhibited relatively weak flagellar beats of low amplitude and frequency. Guinea pig spermatozoa, activated in vitro, also continued such movement and appeared somewhat stimulated upon attachment to the zona pellucida of their species.
Compact directional patch antenna with slotted ring for LTE frequency band

A compact directional patch antenna is proposed. The antenna, operating in LTE frequency band, is designed on Taconic Ceramic (εr = 10). By loading the antenna with a slotted ring, the size of the antenna is further reduced. To verify its properties the antenna is simulated using CST Microwave Studio and the return loss response of a fabricated prototype with frequency is measured. A very good match between computed and measured reflection coefficient is obtained. Furthermore, the antenna is compact in size and its radiation pattern is directional, making it suited for arrays in LTE wireless communication systems.
Glutamate receptor subunit expression in primary neuronal and secondary glial cultures

We report on the expression of ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits in primary neuronal cultures from rat cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum and of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor subtypes in these neuronal cultures as well as in cortical astroglial cultures. We found that the NMDA receptor (NR) subunits NR1, NR2A and NR2B were expressed in all three cultures. Each of the three cultures showed also expression of the four AMPA receptor subunits. Although RT‐PCR detected mRNA of all kainate (KA) subunits in the three cultures, western blot showed only expression of Glu6 and KA2 receptor subunits. The expression analysis of mGlu receptors indicated the presence of all mGlu receptor subtype mRNAs in the three neuronal cultures, except for mGlu2 receptor mRNA, which was not detected in the cortical and cerebellar culture. mGlu1a/α, ‐2/3 and ‐5 receptor proteins were present in all three cultures, whereas mGlu4a and mGlu8a receptor proteins were not detected. Astroglial cultures were grown in either serum‐containing or chemically defined medium. Only mGlu5 receptor protein was found in astroglial cultures grown in serum‐containing medium. When astrocytes were cultured in chemically defined medium, mGlu3, ‐5 and ‐8 receptor mRNAs were detected, but at the protein level, still only mGlu5 receptor was found.
Agent based fault tolerance in wireless sensor networks

In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), sensor nodes are densely deployed in the network covered area, and have limited communication, computation capability and storage capacity. The proposed work is a multi-agent based fault tolerance scheme in wireless sensor networks by employing a set of static and mobile agents. We propose a scheme to implement fault tolerance to estimate the faulty behaviour and then construct the fault tolerance at different hierarchy such as, Node, cluster and sink level fault tolerance. (1) In node level fault tolerance model, where node receives only correct samples which are in reference range by discarding the false samples, and node computes average of all correct samples. (2) In cluster level fault tolerance model where cluster head receives data from all nodes and received data of each node is compared with all other nodes data and computes the difference. Fault tolerance in cluster level is achieved by eliminating the incorrect data of nodes. (3) In sink level fault tolerance algorithm, where sink periodically broadcast alive packets to all nodes and duplicate sink node. After that, nodes transmit data to duplicate sink node. The performance of the proposed scheme is tested in terms of performance parameters such as energy consumption, error, node level faults and cluster level faults.
Sensor fusion: Towards a fully expressive 3D music control interface

This paper describes a study into the realisation of a new method for capturing 3D sound control data. It expands on our established practice with the radiodrum 3D input device by incorporating a computer vision platform that we have developed using the Xbox Kinect motion sensing input device. It also extends our previous work in systemizing a low-cost, open-source 3D gesture sensor system, as a novel method for musically oriented human computer interaction. We discuss in detail the development process and the system performance in different scenarios and outline the future directions of this development.
A Genetic Linkage Map for the Tiger Pufferfish, Takifugu rubripes

The compact genome of the tiger pufferfish, Takifugu rubripes (fugu), has been sequenced to the “draft” level and annotated to identify all the genes. However, the assembly of the draft genome sequence is highly fragmented due to the lack of a genetic or a physical map. To determine the long-range linkage relationship of the sequences, we have constructed the first genetic linkage map for fugu. The maps for the male and female spanning 697.1 and 1213.5 cM, respectively, were arranged into 22 linkage groups by markers heterozygous in both parents. The resulting map consists of 200 microsatellite loci physically linked to genome sequences spanning ∼39 Mb in total. Comparisons of the genome maps of fugu, other teleosts, and mammals suggest that syntenic relationship is more conserved in the teleost lineage than in the mammalian lineage. Map comparisons also show a pufferfish lineage-specific rearrangement of the genome resulting in colocalization of two Hox gene clusters in one linkage group. This map provides a foundation for development of a complete physical map, a basis for comparison of long-range linkage of genes with other vertebrates, and a resource for mapping loci responsible for phenotypic differences among Takifugu species.
Feedback Control Algorithms to Deploy and Scale Multiple Web Applications per Virtual Machine

This paper presents feedback control algorithms to autonomously deploy and scale multiple web applications on a given Infrastructure as a Service cloud. The proposed algorithms provide automatic deployment and undeployment of applications and proportional-derivative scaling of the application server tier. The algorithms use utilization metrics as input and do not require a performance model of the application or the infrastructure dynamics. Moreover, our work supports deployment and scaling of multiple simultaneous applications per virtual machine (VM). This allows us to share VM resources among deployed applications, reducing the number of required VMs. The approach is demonstrated in a prototype implementation that has been deployed in the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud.
Challenging biopower: “Liquid cuffs” and the “Junkie” habitus

Abstract Background: Methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) is associated with improved quality of life amongst many heroin users. Still, program adherence problems remain a fact. Aim: To improve our understanding of MMTP “adherence problems”. Methods: Using snowball sampling, two subgroups were recruited: MMTP enrollees and non-enrollees. A semi-structured questionnaire guided all in-depth interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, hand-coded and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Findings: Of 28 participants, 23 were male and Fifteen were in MMTP. All were NYC residents. Most were Hispanic (57%) and Caucasian (32%). The average age was 38 years. Twenty-two had a General Educational Development or less. All were poor and 64% were homeless. Many do not enroll in MMTP to quit heroin but to avoid physical withdrawals. Once enrolled, problems emerge with program regulations and methadone’s pharmacology. These they refer to as “liquid cuffs”. Drawing on Michel Foucault, methadone may be considered a disciplinary biopower technology that participants challenge using specific strategies. A “Junkie” habitus, crystallized by emotional and identitarian heroin-dispositions, also challenges biopower. Conclusions: The “liquid cuffs” experience along with the “Junkie” habitus effectively challenge disciplinary biopower. Loosening program regulations may improve quality of services and reduce harm.
Motivation in Learning a Second Language: Exploring the Contributions of Family and Classroom Processes

This study looks at how family and classroom factors influence second-language learning at the junior secondary level in schools in Hong Kong. It employed an ecological perspective to look at how family-level factors and classroom-level factors uniquely combine to influence students’ learning motivations in second-language learning. Nineteen secondary schools with over 2,200 secondary 1 and 2 students and their family members participated in the cross-sectional survey used for the research. Findings suggest that both teachers’ instructional behaviors and peer victimization norms in the classroom play a moderating role in the association between family processes and students’ motivation to learn English. It is suggested that the result of this research has important implications for home-school relations in Hong Kong as well as the restructuring of the school process to create a more supportive and nurturing environment for learning and teaching.
Core assessment program for surgical interventional therapies in Parkinson's disease (CAPSIT‐PD)

In 1992 the Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantations (CAPIT) was published providing the minimal requirements for a common patient evaluation protocol. Despite the intent, the program was thought to be too laborious to carry out in large scale trials, and it also lacked evaluations of cognitive functions and quality of life. Moreover, the CAPIT was designed for neural transplantation only and has not been revised since. Since then, pallidotomy and deep brain stimulation have emerged as additional treatment modalities but there exists no common tool for evaluation of, and between, the techniques. In 1996, within the framework of NECTAR (Network for European CNS Transplantation and Restoration), a dedicated program entitled “Neurosurgical Interventions in Parkinson's Disease” (NIPD) was funded by the European Union Biomed 2 program to develop a new Core Assessment Program for Surgical Interventional Therapies in PD (CAPSIT‐PD) and to establish an European registry for patients with PD subjected to functional neurosurgery. This article presents the recommendations of this new program.
XESLite - managing large XES event logs in ProM

Process mining methods use data recorded by information systems to analyze the real execution of processes. This event data is stored in an event log, which is the main input to most process mining methods. The XES standard provides a uniform way to store event logs. OpenXES is the XES reference implementation, which is used widely by research tools. However, OpenXES is not scalable towards large event log. XESLite provides solutions to manage large event logs that are compatible with the OpenXES interfaces. Therefore, it can be used as d rop-in replacement for existing algorithms. This report investigates the storage requirements of different types of event logs, describes XESLite, and contains a benchmark of XESLite and OpenXES based on real-life event logs.
Enhanced anti-colorectal cancer effects of carfilzomib combined with CPT-11 via downregulation of nuclear factor-κB in vitro and in vivo

Upregulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) accelerates tumor growth, whereas, irinotecan (CPT-11)-induced NF-κB activation reduces chemosensitivity and weakens the anti-colorectal cancer function itself, while proteasome inhibitors can inhibit NF-κB and improve the effect of chemotherapy. Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a novel proteasome inhibitor that has been recently approved by the FDA and is in clinical use for the treatment of multiple myeloma, but little is known about its activity against CRC. The aim of the present study was to explore whether CFZ alone or in combination with CPT-11 is effective in CRC treatment. We evaluated the novel therapeutic ability and mechanism of action of CFZ in CRC in vitro and in vivo. SW620 cells were incubated with CFZ alone or in combination with CPT-11. Cell proliferation was assessed by WST-1 and clonogenic assays, the cytotoxic interaction was assessed with a combination index (CI). Cell cycle progression was analysed with flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by detecting the Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) ratio, caspase 3 and CD95 expression, and with TUNEL staining. Cell migration and invasion was determined with a wound-healing assay and a Transwell matrix penetration assay. A CRC xenograft model was established to monitor tumor growth. EMSA was used to analyse NF-κB activation and western blot analysis was used to detect the protein levels of related signaling factors. CFZ significantly inhibited the growth of SW620 cells, and had synergistic inhibitory effects with CPT-11 on survival and colony formation; possibly by inhibition of NF-κB activation, MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathway factor dephosphorylation and survivin downregulation. Co-administration of CFZ and CPT-11 induced G2/M arrest, increased p21WAF1/CIP, and decreased mutant p53 and cdc25c expression. Induction of apoptosis was accompanied by marked increases in PARP cleavage, caspase 3 activation, an increase of CD95 and p-p38, and ATF3 activation. Combination treatment lowered the invasive and migration ability of SW620 cells, reduced MMP and increased TIMP protein expression. Finally, co-administration of CFZ and CPT-11 suppressed tumor growth and increased apoptosis compared with single-agent treatment in SW620 xenograft models correlated with NF-κB downregulation. Carfilzomib alone or in combination with CPT-11 is effective against colorectal cancer through inhibition of multiple mechanisms related to NF-κB, and could be a potential novel therapy for CRC.
New Concept Conformal Antennas Utilizing Metamaterial and Transformation Optics

In this letter, we show by theoretical analysis and computer simulation that conformal antennas can be designed using metamaterial with inhomogeneous constitutive parameters by applying the electromagnetic coordinate transformation approach, which is the technique used to realize electromagnetic invisibility. We demonstrate that, a source of arbitrary shape and position in the free space can be replaced by an properly designed metamaterial coating with current distributed on the inner surface and would not be detected by outer observers, because the emission of the source can be controlled at will in this way. As examples, we design two conformal antennas by transforming a simple dipole antenna and a standard array antenna separately to illustrate the possible applications of this kind of transformation.
COMPA: Detecting Compromised Accounts on Social Networks

As social networking sites have risen in popularity, cyber-criminals started to exploit these sites to spread malware and to carry out scams. Previous work has extensively studied the use of fake (Sybil) accounts that attackers set up to distribute spam messages (mostly messages that contain links to scam pages or drive-by download sites). Fake accounts typically exhibit highly anomalous behavior, and hence, are relatively easy to detect. As a response, attackers have started to compromise and abuse legitimate accounts. Compromising legitimate accounts is very effective, as attackers can leverage the trust relationships that the account owners have established in the past. Moreover, compromised accounts are more difficult to clean up because a social network provider cannot simply delete the correspond-
Multivariable-PI-Based $dq$ Current Control of Voltage Source Converters With Superior Axis Decoupling Capability

This paper presents a linear direct-quadrature current control strategy for voltage source converters (VSCs) in a rotating reference frame (RRF). The described method is based on multivariable-proportional-integral (PI) regulators and provides fast dynamics and a zero steady-state error. Contrary to the well-known conventional PI-based control strategies in RRFs, the presented method provides practically decoupled axes with a superior disturbance rejection capability. Moreover, its implementation is relatively simple and does not impose excessive structural complexity compared to its conventional PI-based competitors. The method is applicable to both single- and three-phase systems and also to anisotropic three-phase systems, e.g., synchronous motors with different direct and quadrature impedances driven by VSCs. Implementing a three-phase test system, the performance of the presented method is experimentally evaluated.
Automatic language identification and discrimination using the modified group delay feature

Automatic language identification (LID) systems use features derived from the Fourier transform magnitude like MFCC, its derivatives and also PLP cepstra. Though half of the underlying spectral information is discarded in these cases, attempts to utilize the phase spectrum for deriving features have been minimal. This paper investigates the use of features derived from the Fourier transform phase for implementing LID systems. Features derived from the modified group delay function which we call the modified group delay feature (MODGDF) are used in this study. Performance of the MODCDF and the traditional MFCC for a GMM based LID system for a 3 and 1.1 language task are discussed. Results of language discriminability analysis are also presented. The MODGDF is found to outperform MFCC in terms of both performance and discriminability of languages.