Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
To Select or To Weigh: A Comparative Study of Linear Combination Schemes for SuperParent-One-Dependence Estimators

We conduct a large-scale comparative study on linearly combining superparent-one-dependence estimators (SPODEs), a popular family of seminaive Bayesian classifiers. Altogether, 16 model selection and weighing schemes, 58 benchmark data sets, and various statistical tests are employed. This paper's main contributions are threefold. First, it formally presents each scheme's definition, rationale, and time complexity and hence can serve as a comprehensive reference for researchers interested in ensemble learning. Second, it offers bias-variance analysis for each scheme's classification error performance. Third, it identifies effective schemes that meet various needs in practice. This leads to accurate and fast classification algorithms which have an immediate and significant impact on real-world applications. Another important feature of our study is using a variety of statistical tests to evaluate multiple learning methods across multiple data sets.
Isomorph-Free Exhaustive Generation

We describe a very general technique for generating families of combinatorial objects without isomorphs. It applies to almost any class of objects for which an inductive construction process exists. In one form of our technique, no explicit isomorphism testing is required. In the other form, isomorph testing is restricted to within small subsets of the entire set of objects. A variety of different examples are presented, including the generation of graphs with some hereditary property, the generation of Latin rectangles and the generation of balanced incomplete block designs. The technique can also be used to perform unbiased statistical analysis, including approximate counting, of sets of objects too large to generate exhaustively.
New method for protein secondary structure assignment based on a simple topological descriptor

A simple, five‐element descriptor, derived from the Delaunay tessellation of a protein structure in a single point per residue representation, can be assigned to each residue in the protein. The descriptor characterizes main‐chain topology and connectivity in the neighborhood of the residue and does not explicitly depend on putative hydrogen bonds or any geometric parameter, including bond length, angles, and areas. Rules based on this descriptor can be used for accurate, robust, and computationally efficient secondary structure assignment that correlates well with the existing methods. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Techniques for Modeling Muscle‐induced Forces in Finite Element Models of Skeletal Structures

This work introduces two mechanics‐based approaches to modeling muscle forces exerted on curvilinear bone structures and compares the results with two traditional ad hoc methods of muscle loading. These new models use a combination of tensile, tangential, and normal traction loads to account for muscle fibers wrapped around curved bone surfaces. A computer program was written to interface with a commercial finite element analysis tool to automatically apply traction loads to surface faces of elements in muscle attachment regions according to the various muscle modeling methods. We modeled a highly complex skeletal structure, the skull of a Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis), to compare the four muscle‐loading methods. While reasonable qualitative agreement was found in the states of stress of the skull between the four muscle load modeling methods, there were substantial quantitative differences predicted in the stress states in some high stressed regions of the skull. Furthermore, our mechanics‐based models required significantly less total applied muscle force to generate a bite‐point reaction force identical to those produced by the ad hoc muscle loading models. Although the methods are not validated by in vivo data, we submit that muscle‐load modeling methods that account for the underlying physics of muscle wrapping on curved bone surfaces are likely to provide more realistic results than ad hoc approaches that do not. We also note that, due to the geometric complexity of many bone structures—such as the skull analyzed here—load transmission paths are difficult to conceptualize a priori. Consequently, it is difficult to predict spatially where the results of finite element analyses are likely to be compromised by using ad hoc muscle modeling methods. For these reasons, it is recommended that a mechanics‐based method be adopted for determination of the proper traction loads to be applied to skeletal structures due to muscular activity. Anat Rec, 290:1069–1088, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Face detection using neural networks with skin segmentation

Detecting faces in images remains a challenge in image processing and is currently an active area of research. A frontal face detection algorithm is presented in this paper. Skin colors were used to initially detect possible faces in the image. Using a search window, possible faces are processed using edge detection. These are then classified as faces or non faces using an artificial neural network classifier. The algorithm was tested in images with varying sizes and number of faces. Results from experiments demonstrate successful face detections. Ideas for future work are also included to close the paper.
Determining Responsiveness to Tier 2 Intervention in Response to Intervention: Level of Performance, Growth, or Both

This response to intervention study examined agreement between classification methods of preschool children’s responsiveness to Tier 2 intervention using level of performance (25th percentile), growth (equivalent to small and medium effect sizes), and both level of performance and growth in a dual-discrepancy approach. Overall, 181 children identified as making inadequate progress within high-quality Tier 1 instruction in 1 or more early literacy domains (language, print knowledge, phonological awareness) were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a business-as-usual control group. All children were classified as responsive or not, and although greater proportions of children were classified as responsive after intervention compared with the control groups, agreement between methods of classifying responsiveness varied across the 3 early literacy domains and the single measures within each domain. These results indicated that depending on which of these methods was used, different children were classified as responsive.
VECTOR FIELD PATH PLANNING AND CONTROL OF AN AUTONOMOUS ROBOT IN A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT

Potential field methods are discussed as possible solutions to obstacle avoidance for mobile robots. A new solution to well known problems associated with potential fields is presented. The design of a general control system, using frequency domain analysis of the input signal, that matches the path planning method to a robot’s dynamics, is discussed. Preliminary experimental results are presented and suggestion for further work proposed.
Embedded Reconfigurable Augmented DC-DC Boost Converter for Fast Transient Recovery

A DC-DC boost converter is widely used for power management applications. However, the right-half-plane zero effect still remains a bottleneck for fast transient recovery. This paper is intended to propose an embedded reconfigurable boost converter solution with ultra-fast transient recovery through near-lossless augmentation. This augmentation branch requires an extra synchronous phase in parallel, comprising a small inductor and a half-bridge switch cell. This branch is activated only during large-signal transient recovery. The original converter topology is restored for steady state operations, thereby improving the overall efficiency. A prototype augmented boost converter is tested, and the proposed controller is implemented using an FPGA device. The extra branch closely nullifies current and voltage overshoot/undershoots. It is also expected to have almost no impact on efficiency.
A Probabilistic Approach of Coverage prediction in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

A fundamental issue arising in mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) is the selection of the optimal path between any two nodes. It's very difficult to select of optimal path due to different factors affects the stability of the path. Such as mobility, coverage area, path loss, fading, energy level of the nodes and etc. In this paper we mainly focus the probabilistic approach of coverage area of the mobile nodes using gamma distribution function, and derive the simple approximate expression for coverage area. Based on the results we study the coverage area of the nodes. And we propose the new routing protocol coverage prediction Ad hoc On Demand multipath Distance vector Routing protocol (CP- AOMDV). To evaluate their performance, we are using network simulator (NS2). CP-AOMDV outperforms present protocol AOMDV. The result demonstrates that integrating coverage prediction mechanism with AOMDV is a promising way to improve performance in mobile ad hoc networks
Surgery Triggers Outgrowth of Latent Distant Disease in Breast Cancer: An Inconvenient Truth?

We review our work over the past 14 years that began when we were first confronted with bimodal relapse patterns in two breast cancer databases from different countries. These data were unexplainable with the accepted continuous tumor growth paradigm. To explain these data, we proposed that metastatic breast cancer growth commonly includes periods of temporary dormancy at both the single cell phase and the avascular micrometastasis phase. We also suggested that surgery to remove the primary tumor often terminates dormancy resulting in accelerated relapses. These iatrogenic events are apparently very common in that over half of all metastatic relapses progress in that manner. Assuming this is true, there should be ample and clear evidence in clinical data. We review here the breast cancer paradigm from a variety of historical, clinical, and scientific perspectives and consider how dormancy and surgery-driven escape from dormancy would be observed and what this would mean. Dormancy can be identified in these diverse data but most conspicuous is the sudden synchronized escape from dormancy following primary surgery. On the basis of our findings, we suggest a new paradigm for early stage breast cancer. We also suggest a new treatment that is meant to stabilize and preserve dormancy rather than attempt to kill all cancer cells as is the present strategy.
MGS-SIFT: A New Illumination Invariant Feature Based on SIFT Descriptor

The SIFT descriptor is one of the most widely used descriptors which has considerable stability against changes such as rotation, scale, affine of the image, and illumination. However, because of the greater emphasis on its insensitivity to geometric changes, this descriptor is weak in various illuminations. Therefore, in this article an attempt has been made to boost the SIFT descriptor against changes in illuminations through the use of techniques of creating pictures in various illumination conditions and by extracting the desired features of these conditions. For this purpose, we have used the Power-Law Transform, and the results of the implementation testing have been successful. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm and of the base algorithm of SIFT with regard to the data set ALOI have been investigated, and it has been found that by adding this method to the base SIFT descriptor , the rate of recognition improves by five percent. Moreover, there will be a better response to changes in illumination.
Well-Being Among Spanish Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Heterosexual Adults: Disclosure of Sexual Orientation to Family and Friends

ABSTRACT Relevance of disclosure of minority sexual orientation on subjective (SWB) and psychological well-being (PWB) was analyzed. Participants were 236 men and 238 women self-identified as lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) or heterosexual. No differences in SWB were found between heterosexuals and LGBs. Heterosexual women showed greater environmental mastery than bisexual men and greater purpose in life than lesbian and bisexual women. Outcomes showed greater well-being among LGBs who disclosed their minority sexual orientation to parents later in life. Disclosing minority sexual orientation to parents was related with greater PWB. Further research that takes a differential approach to improve well-being for LGBs is needed.
Handling spatial information in on-line handwriting recognition

This paper focuses on handling the two-dimensional feature of on-line handwriting signals in recognition engines. This spatial information is taken into account in various ways depending on the nature of characters to be recognized. We review some techniques used in the literature and investigate new ones to represent and model the spatial information in handwriting recognition engines. We compare formally and experimentally a number of solutions on various character recognition tasks.
Characteristics Comparison of a Conventional and Modified Spoke-Type Ferrite Magnet Motor for Traction Drives of Low-Speed Electric Vehicles

Rare-earth magnets have been widely employed for traction drive motors of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) due to high energy density. Nevertheless, the magnets have critical problems such as unstable supply and high cost. Recently, in order to solve the problems, a variety of motors not using rare-earth materials have been reviewed, such as an induction motor, a switched reluctance motor, and a spoke-type ferrite magnet motor (FMM). In this paper, a modified spoke-type FMM with a novel rotor configuration was presented for a traction motor of low-speed EVs. The characteristics of the modified spoke-type FMM are numerically compared with a conventional spoke-type FMM at the same design condition. Finally, the modified spoke-type FMM is fabricated and tested in order to verify its performance and feasibility.
Model Transformation Contracts and their Definition in UML and OCL

A major challenge of the OMG Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) initiative is to be able to define and execute transformations of models. Such transformations may be defined in several ways and with various motivations. Our motivation is to specify model transformations independently of any transformation technology. To achieve this goal, we propose to define transformation contracts. We argue that model transformation contracts are an essential basis for the MDA, they can be used for specification, validation and test of transformations. This paper focuses on model transformation contract specification. We investigate the way to define them using standard UML and OCL features. In addition to presenting the approach and some experimental results, this paper discusses some limits of standard OCL to define transformation contracts as well as some hints to bypass these limitations.
Moving out of their comfort zones: enhancing teaching practice in transnational education

Abstract This paper investigates the development of teaching practice of the multinational staff delivering UK programmes in a higher education institution in Oman hosting these programmes. It presents a tool to evaluate the teaching practice, and points to those elements of an academic development framework that were found to be most useful in supporting staff in moving towards a student-centred, learning-focused teaching approach. The majority of the lecturers made this shift. We therefore conclude by arguing for long-term CPD aimed at enhancing teaching quality to be part and parcel of a partnership.
Effects of Bax Gene Deletion on Muscle and Motoneuron Degeneration in a Sexually Dimorphic Neuromuscular System

Motoneurons in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) and their target muscles in the perineum, bulbocavernosus (BC), and levator ani (LA) normally degenerate in female rodents. Death of the motoneurons and muscles can be prevented by androgen treatments around the time of birth. To identify the intracellular mechanisms underlying hormone-dependent survival of this neuromuscular system, we examined mice with a targeted disruption of the pro-death gene Bax. SNB motoneuron number was increased in female Bax-/- mice, whether measured using immunolabeling for a motoneuron-specific marker or retrograde labeling with the fluorescent tracer Fluoro-Gold. Based on retrograde tracing, the sex difference in SNB cell number is eliminated in Bax-/- mice. Thus, Bax is required for sexually dimorphic motoneuron death in the SNB, and motoneurons rescued by Bax deletion project their axons to the periphery. Mean soma size in the SNB of Bax-/- females is reduced, however, and there is a subpopulation of very small cells in the SNB of female knock-outs. In addition, the BC muscle was not identified in any female, regardless of Bax gene status. All females possessed a small LA muscle, and Bax deletion resulted in a tripling of LA fiber number in females. This increase was small, however, relative to the >50-fold sex difference in LA muscle fiber number. Thus, the sex difference in the perineal muscles is mostly unaffected by the absence of Bax protein, and SNB motoneuron number is dissociated from target muscle size in Bax-/- animals.
On the temporal organization of neuronal avalanches

Spontaneous activity of cortex in vitro and in vivo has been shown to organize as neuronal avalanches. Avalanches are cascades of neuronal activity that exhibit a power law in their size and duration distribution, typical features of balanced systems in a critical state. Recently it has been shown that the distribution of quiet times between consecutive avalanches in rat cortex slice cultures displays a non-monotonic behavior with a power law decay at short time scales. This behavior has been attributed to the slow alternation between up and down-states. Here we further characterize the avalanche process and investigate how the functional behavior of the quiet time distribution depends on the fine structure of avalanche sequences. By systematically removing smaller avalanches from the experimental time series we show that size and quiet times are correlated and highlight that avalanche occurrence exhibits the characteristic periodicity of θ and β/γ oscillations, which jointly emerge in most of the analyzed samples. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that smaller avalanches tend to be associated with faster β/γ oscillations, whereas larger ones are associated with slower θ and 1–2 Hz oscillations. In particular, large avalanches corresponding to θ cycles trigger cascades of smaller ones, which occur at β/γ frequency. This temporal structure follows closely the one of nested θ − β/γ oscillations. Finally we demonstrate that, because of the multiple time scales characterizing avalanche dynamics, the distributions of quiet times between avalanches larger than a certain size do not collapse onto a unique function when rescaled by the average occurrence rate. However, when considered separately in the up-state and in the down-state, these distributions are solely controlled by the respective average rate and two different unique function can be identified.
ReQoS: reactive static/dynamic compilation for QoS in warehouse scale computers

As multicore processors with expanding core counts continue to dominate the server market, the overall utilization of the class of datacenters known as warehouse scale computers (WSCs) depends heavily on colocation of multiple workloads on each server to take advantage of the computational power provided by modern processors. However, many of the applications running in WSCs, such as websearch, are user-facing and have quality of service (QoS) requirements. When multiple applications are co-located on a multicore machine, contention for shared memory resources threatens application QoS as severe cross-core performance interference may occur. WSC operators are left with two options: either disregard QoS to maximize WSC utilization, or disallow the co-location of high-priority user-facing applications with other applications, resulting in low machine utilization and millions of dollars wasted. This paper presents ReQoS, a static/dynamic compilation approach that enables low-priority applications to adaptively manipulate their own contentiousness to ensure the QoS of high-priority co-runners. ReQoS is composed of a profile guided compilation technique that identifies and inserts markers in contentious code regions in low-priority applications, and a lightweight runtime that monitors the QoS of high-priority applications and reactively reduces the pressure low-priority applications generate to the memory subsystem when cross-core interference is detected. In this work, we show that ReQoS can accurately diagnose contention and significantly reduce performance interference to ensure application QoS. Applying ReQoS to SPEC2006 and SmashBench workloads on real multicore machines, we are able to improve machine utilization by more than 70% in many cases, and more than 50% on average, while enforcing a 90% QoS threshold. We are also able to improve the energy efficiency of modern multicore machines by 47% on average over a policy of disallowing co-locations.
STOP: Socio-Temporal Opportunistic Patching of short range mobile malware

Mobile phones are integral to everyday life with emails, social networking, online banking and other applications; however, the wealth of private information accessible increases economic incentives for attackers. Compared with fixed networks, mobile malware can replicate through both long range messaging and short range radio technologies; the former can be filtered by the network operator but determining the best method of containing short range malware is an open problem. While global software updates are sometimes possible, they are often not practical. An alternative and more efficient strategy is to distribute the patch to the key nodes so that they can opportunistically disseminate it to the rest of the network via short range encounters; but how can these key nodes be identified in a highly dynamic network topology? In this paper, we address these questions by presenting Socio- Temporal Opportunistic Patching (STOP), a two-tier predictive mobile malware containment system: devices collect co-location data in a decentralized manner and report to a central server which processes and targets delivery of hot fixes to a small subset of k devices at runtime; in turn mobile devices spread the patch opportunistically. The STOP system is underpinned by a recent theoretical framework for analysing dynamic networks that takes into account temporal information of links. Using empirical contact traces, we find firstly, the top-k ranking temporal centrality nodes are highly correlated with past time windows; and secondly, simple prediction functions can be designed to select the set of top-k nodes that are optimal for patch spreading.
Familial and Social Influences in Career Exploration for Female Youth of Color

Counseling research on female youth of color has been limited in the application of theoretical frameworks that engage families in a practical sense regarding career issues. In this direct content analysis, 40 female middle school students of color shared perceptions of their strengths and supports for future career success. Relational cultural theory, a framework grounded in multiculturalism and feminism, was shown to be a fitting and promising theory-to-practice model for those working with female adolescents of color and their families. Implications for counselors working with female youth of color and families on career exploration are provided.