Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A differential OFDM approach to coherence time mitigation in DSRC

As a modification to IEEE 802.11a, the current DSRC standard copes adequately with many of the impairments found in the vehicular wireless channel. However, measurements have shown that these mobile channels exhibit substantially shorter coherence times than those encountered in the indoor environments expected by 802.11a. We propose a modification to the coherent OFDM structure of DSRC, known as time-domain differential OFDM, that preserves the benefits of OFDM while adding robustness to short coherence times. Simulations verify the efficacy of this method over various Doppler spreads and packet lengths.
Support Vector Ordinal Regression using Privileged Information

We introduce a new methodology, called SVORIM+, for utilizing privileged information of the training examples, unavailable in the test regime, to improve generalization performance in ordinal regres- sion. The privileged information is incorporated during the training by modelling the slacks through correcting functions for each of the paral- lel hyperplanes separating the ordered classes. The experimental results on several benchmark and time series datasets show that inclusion of the privileged information during training can boost the generalization perfor- mance significantly.
An Attention-Based Word-Level Interaction Model: Relation Detection for Knowledge Base Question Answering

Relation detection plays a crucial role in Knowledge Base Question Answering (KBQA) because of the high variance of relation expression in the question. Traditional deep learning methods follow an encoding-comparing paradigm, where the question and the candidate relation are represented as vectors to compare their semantic similarity. Max- or average- pooling operation, which compresses the sequence of words into fixed-dimensional vectors, becomes the bottleneck of information. In this paper, we propose to learn attention-based word-level interactions between questions and relations to alleviate the bottleneck issue. Similar to the traditional models, the question and relation are firstly represented as sequences of vectors. Then, instead of merging the sequence into a single vector with pooling operation, soft alignments between words from the question and the relation are learned. The aligned words are subsequently compared with the convolutional neural network (CNN) and the comparison results are merged finally. Through performing the comparison on low-level representations, the attention-based word-level interaction model (ABWIM) relieves the information loss issue caused by merging the sequence into a fixed-dimensional vector before the comparison. The experimental results of relation detection on both SimpleQuestions and WebQuestions datasets show that ABWIM achieves state-of-the-art accuracy, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Genuinely Functional User Interfaces

Fruit is a new graphical user interface library for Haskell based on a formal model of user interfaces. The model identifies signals (continuous time-varying values) and signal transformers (pure functions mapping signals to signals) as core abstractions, and defines GUIs compositionally as signal transformers. In this paper, we describe why we think a formal denotational model of user interfaces is useful, present our model and prototype library implementation, and show some example programs that demonstrate novel features of our library.
A systematic methodology for OS benchmark characterization

Using benchmarks to evaluate operating systems is a common and important approach. However, determining which benchmarks to use for such evaluation requires very careful consideration. It has been found that a seemingly naive change of system configuration or input set could lead to drastic change of benchmark characteristics, and could also lead to misleading or incorrect results. Some OS benchmark suites may also include too many benchmark programs with very similar characteristics that could give biased results against, or in favor of, certain kernel behavior. Hence, we need to determine the characteristics of benchmark programs in order to come up with an appropriate benchmark suite for such evaluation, and to interpret the measured results more precisely and correctly. Although there have been many tools developed to help on profiling an OS and to characterize its run-time behavior, the collected data by those tools are often very large and complex. It is extremely time consuming, labor intensive, and error prone to analyze the large volume of measured results, and to determine the characteristics of a suite of benchmark programs. In this work, we propose to use machine-learning techniques to help on analyzing and characterizing OS benchmark programs based on the traced OS kernel events. In this work, a systematic methodology is proposed to automatically characterize benchmarks. We found that the characterized OS behavior could help developers to choose appropriate applications to benchmark operating systems.
Symptoms of acute posttraumatic stress disorder after intensive care.

BACKGROUND Admission to intensive care is often a sudden and unexpected event precipitated by a life-threatening condition, 2 determinants thought to influence the development of posttraumatic stress disorder. OBJECTIVES To identify the frequency of acute symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and to describe factors predictive of these symptoms in patients 1 month after discharge from intensive care. METHODS In this prospective cohort study, all patients meeting the inclusion criteria during the study period were invited to participate. Participants completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and demographic and clinical data were accessed from an intensive care unit database. RESULTS During a 9-month period, 114 of 137 patients who met the inclusion criteria consented to participate in the study, and 100 (88%) completed it. The mean total score on the Impact of Event Scale-Revised was 17.8 (SD, 13.4; possible range, 0-88). A total of 13 participants (13%) scored higher than the cutoff score for clinical posttraumatic stress disorder. Neither sex nor length of stay was predictive of acute symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. In multivariate analysis, the only independent predictor of symptoms was age. Patients younger than 65 years were 5.6 times (95% confidence interval, 1.17-26.89) more likely than those 65 years and older to report symptoms. CONCLUSION The rate of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder 1 month after discharge from intensive care was relatively low. Consistent with findings of previous research, being younger than 65 years was the only independent predictor of symptoms.
Brucella abortus Induces the Premature Death of Human Neutrophils through the Action of Its Lipopolysaccharide

Most bacterial infections induce the activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), enhance their microbicidal function, and promote the survival of these leukocytes for protracted periods of time. Brucella abortus is a stealthy pathogen that evades innate immunity, barely activates PMNs, and resists the killing mechanisms of these phagocytes. Intriguing clinical signs observed during brucellosis are the low numbers of Brucella infected PMNs in the target organs and neutropenia in a proportion of the patients; features that deserve further attention. Here we demonstrate that B. abortus prematurely kills human PMNs in a dose-dependent and cell-specific manner. Death of PMNs is concomitant with the intracellular Brucella lipopolysaccharide (Br-LPS) release within vacuoles. This molecule and its lipid A reproduce the premature cell death of PMNs, a phenomenon associated to the low production of proinflammatory cytokines. Blocking of CD14 but not TLR4 prevents the Br-LPS-induced cell death. The PMNs cell death departs from necrosis, NETosis and classical apoptosis. The mechanism of PMN cell death is linked to the activation of NADPH-oxidase and a modest but steadily increase of ROS mediators. These effectors generate DNA damage, recruitments of check point kinase 1, caspases 5 and to minor extent of caspase 4, RIP1 and Ca++ release. The production of IL-1β by PMNs was barely stimulated by B. abortus infection or Br-LPS treatment. Likewise, inhibition of caspase 1 did not hamper the Br-LPS induced PMN cell death, suggesting that the inflammasome pathway was not involved. Although activation of caspases 8 and 9 was observed, they did not seem to participate in the initial triggering mechanisms, since inhibition of these caspases scarcely blocked PMN cell death. These findings suggest a mechanism for neutropenia in chronic brucellosis and reveal a novel Brucella-host cross-talk through which B. abortus is able to hinder the innate function of PMN.
Complex recognition site for the group I intron-encoded endonuclease I-SceII

We have characterized features of the site recognized by a double-stranded DNA endonuclease, I-SceII, encoded by intron 4 alpha of the yeast mitochondrial COX1 gene. We determined the effects of 36 point mutations on the cleavage efficiency of natural and synthetic substrates containing the Saccharomyces capensis I-SceII site. Most mutations of the 18-bp I-SceII recognition site are tolerated by the enzyme, and those mutant sites are cleaved between 42 and 100% as well as the wild-type substrate is. Nine mutants blocked cleavage to less than or equal to 33% of the wild-type, whereas only three point mutations, G-4----C, G-12----T, and G-15----C, block cleavage completely. Competition experiments indicate that these three substrates are not cleaved, at least in part because of a marked reduction in the affinity of the enzyme for those mutant DNAs. About 90% of the DNAs derived from randomization of the nucleotide sequence of the 4-bp staggered I-SceII cleavage site are not cleaved by the enzyme. I-SceII cleaves cloned DNA derived from human chromosome 3 about once every 110 kbp. The I-SceII recognition sites in four randomly chosen human DNA clones have 56 to 78% identity with the 18-bp site in yeast mitochondrial DNA; they are cleaved at least 50% as well as the wild-type mitochondrial substrate despite the presence of some substitutions that individually compromise cleavage of the mitochondrial substrate. Analysis of these data suggests that the effect of a given base substitution in I-SceII cleavage may depend on the sequence at other positions.
Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae) Feeding on Cotton: New Methods and Parameters for Analysis of Nonsequential Electrical Penetration Graph Data

Abstract This study is the first to statistically analyze the stylet probing/penetration behaviors of Lygus (Hemiptera: Miridae) bugs, and the external body movements associated with both probing and nonprobing, via electrical penetration graph (EPG) and videorecording, respectively. Behavioral quantification allows powerful statistical comparisons among host plants or other treatments. Thus, statistical analysis of data has played an important role in EPG research. However, few attempts have been made to standardize types and terminology used for statistical parameters. We provide here the first complete system of organization and terminology for nonsequential EPG parameters. Widespread adoption of these terms will allow standardization in EPG research. Our EPG and video data reveal for the first time the stylet penetration behaviors of nymphal L. hesperus that cause cotton square damage, and the mechanism involved. L. hesperus nymphs spent only 15% of their time on squares probing; the remainder was spent standing motionless in place, grooming, or in sensory exploration. While probing, two thirds of their time was spent in laceration/salivation and one third in ingestion. Thus, L. hesperus nymphs actively spread out numerous, minute injections of their macerating watery saliva, deeply drilled/lacerated into all parts of the developing square. After injection of saliva within the square, the insect then stands and waits for solubilization of the square’s cell contents, and then quickly ingests the slurry. The extensive laceration by the stylets may, secondarily, potentiate salivary maceration by mechanically rupturing cell walls. The plant responses to such behavior are thus summarized as “mechanical cell rupture-enhanced maceration. ”
ertain c onditions : Examples from v isuo-s patial working memory and dichotic listening tasks

This study examines when external auditive noise can enhance performance in a dichotic listening and a visuo-spatial working memory task. Noise is typically conceived of as being detrimental for cognitive performance; however, given the mechanism of stochastic resonance (SR), a certain amount of noise can benefit performance. In particular we predict that low performers will be aided by noise whereas high performers decline in performance during the same condition. Data from two experiments will be presented; participants were students at Stockholm University.
Multi-objective optimization using metaheuristics: non-standard algorithms

In recent years, the application of metaheuristic techniques to solve multi-objective optimization problems has become an active research area. Solving this kind of problems involves obtaining a set of Pareto-optimal solutions in such a way that the corresponding Pareto front fulfils the requirements of convergence to the true Pareto front and uniform diversity. Most of the studies on metaheuristics for multi-objective optimization are focused on Evolutionary Algorithms, and some of the state-of-the-art techniques belong this class of algorithms. Our goal in this paper is to study open research lines related to metaheuristics but focusing on less explored areas to provide new perspectives to those researchers interested in multi-objective optimization. In particular, we focus on non-evolutionary metaheuristics, hybrid multi-objective metaheuristics, parallel multi-objective optimization and multi-objective optimization under uncertainty. We analyze these issues and discuss open research lines.
Coexisting with cougars: public perceptions, attitudes, and awareness of cougars on the urban-rural fringe of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Interactions between humans and cougars (3XPDFRQFRORU) have been steadily increasing over the past 20 years largely due to human encroachment into cougar habitat and an increase in the human population. We determined the attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions toward cougars by residents in the urban-rural fringe of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, DQDUHDSRSXODWHGE\�ERWKFRXJDUVDQGKXPDQV��:HVHQWDVXUYH\�WRDVWUDWLoHG��UDQGRP� VDPSOHRI�������UHVLGHQWV��6XUYH\�DQDO\VLVLQFOXGHGDSRWHQWLDOIRUFRQ? LFWLQGH(��3&,��WR� KHOSSURYLGHTXDQWLWDWLYHGLUHFWLRQIRUIXWXUHFRXJDUPDQDJHPHQW��:HDQDO\)HGDQGWHVWHG� for differences among 7 variables: livestock ownership, gender, age, education, community of residence, years at residence, and experience with cougars. We found an overall positive attitude toward the presence of cougars in the area. However, residents indicated a low level of knowledge concerning regional wildlife management and wished to be more directly involved in planning and decision making. Recommendations developed from this study included: increasing the awareness of cougars through targeted education, facilitating of stakeholder involvement, developing of proactive cougar management strategies, and exploring adaptive management.
ALCOHOL INTAKE AND FASTING INSULIN IN FRENCH MEN AND WOMEN

Background: To study the relation between alcohol consumption and the fasting insulin concentration in a French population with a range of alcohol intakes. Methods: 2.406 men and 2.500 women, aged 30 to 65 years who were not known as diabetic and with a non-diabetic fasting plasma glucose < 7.0 mmol/l were studied. Insulin was assayed by a specific micro-enzyme immunoassay and alcohol intake was from a self-questionnaire. Results: Fasting insulin concentration showed an inverse linear association with alcohol consumption, after adjustment for age and possible confounding factors (p for trend < 0.0001 men; p < 0.002 women), with a 29% higher insulin in non-drinkers compared to very heavy drinkers (> 80 g/day) in men (p < 0.0001) and a 23% and 26% difference when compared to heavy drinkers (41-80 g/day) in men and women respectively (p < 0.0001, p < 0.003). This relation did not differ significantly according to whether the alcohol was consumed as wine, beer/cider or spirits. Fasting plasma glucose modified the relation between alcohol and insulin in men: while the negative relation alcohol-insulin was strong for fasting plasma glucose < 6.0 mmol/l (p < 0.0001), there was no association above 6.0 mmol/l (p = 0.4). Conclusion: There is an inverse relation between alcohol consumption and fasting insulin concentrations. Some studies have found a U shaped relation, and this is probably due to the inclusion of diabetic subjects. As hyperinsulinemia has been shown to be positively associated with cardiovascular disease, it may be one of the variables that explains the protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on cardiovascular disease.
Similar Genetic Basis of Resistance to Bt Toxin Cry1Ac in Boll-Selected and Diet-Selected Strains of Pink Bollworm

Genetically engineered cotton and corn plants producing insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins kill some key insect pests. Yet, evolution of resistance by pests threatens long-term insect control by these transgenic Bt crops. We compared the genetic basis of resistance to Bt toxin Cry1Ac in two independently derived, laboratory-selected strains of a major cotton pest, the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella [Saunders]). The Arizona pooled resistant strain (AZP-R) was started with pink bollworm from 10 field populations and selected with Cry1Ac in diet. The Bt4R resistant strain was started with a long-term susceptible laboratory strain and selected first with Bt cotton bolls and later with Cry1Ac in diet. Previous work showed that AZP-R had three recessive mutations (r1, r2, and r3) in the pink bollworm cadherin gene (PgCad1) linked with resistance to Cry1Ac and Bt cotton producing Cry1Ac. Here we report that inheritance of resistance to a diagnostic concentration of Cry1Ac was recessive in Bt4R. In interstrain complementation tests for allelism, F1 progeny from crosses between AZP-R and Bt4R were resistant to Cry1Ac, indicating a shared resistance locus in the two strains. Molecular analysis of the Bt4R cadherin gene identified a novel 15-bp deletion (r4) predicted to cause the loss of five amino acids upstream of the Cry1Ac-binding region of the cadherin protein. Four recessive mutations in PgCad1 are now implicated in resistance in five different strains, showing that mutations in cadherin are the primary mechanism of resistance to Cry1Ac in laboratory-selected strains of pink bollworm from Arizona.
Verbal Repetition in People With Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer Disease: A Descriptive Analysis From the VISTA Clinical Trial

BackgroundVerbal repetition is a common symptom and target for treatment in Alzheimer disease (AD), yet little is known of its manifestations in the daily lives of patients. Here we characterized the nature of verbal repetition and its correlates. MethodsThis is a qualitative, secondary analysis of video-recorded interviews with 130 community dwelling mild-to-moderate patients with Alzheimer disease and their carers, enrolled in the Video Imaging Synthesis of Treating Alzheimer's disease clinical trial. Narratives about verbal repetition were characterized using a qualitative framework analysis approach. ResultsVerbal repetition was reported in 100/130 patients, 57 of whom identified diminished repetition as a desired outcome of treatment. Most patients (76/100) repeated questions (usually about upcoming events); fewer (32/100) patients repeated statements/stories (usually about recent events). Most repetitions occurred within a 2-hour interval (65/100), and for 52/100 patients the problem was consistent (eg, occurred everyday). There were no differences for interval between repetitions by dementia severity, but most patients who repeated statements/stories were mild (27/32). ConclusionsVerbal repetition is a common problem, and seems especially to be provoked by upcoming events. More frequent repetitions (shorter intervals between each repetition) were associated with goal setting around this problem.
PRODUCER SUPPORT ESTIMATES (PSEs) FOR AGRICULTURE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: MEASUREMENT ISSUES AND ILLUSTRATIONS FROM INDIA AND CHINA

In many developing countries, governments rely on price-based measures (including border protection and subsidies on inputs and outputs) more than on budgetary payments to achieve agricultural policy objectives defined to include price stabilization or food self-sufficiency. Assessing the effects of these price-based measures is thus important to evaluating whether agriculture is being protected or disprotected by commodity or in the aggregate. This aspect of producer support estimates (PSEs) is simple to describe conceptually but difficult to evaluate well empirically. Developing countries may face higher international transport and port costs for imports and exports than developed countries or may have substantial internal handling, transportation and processing costs. Separating these structural effects on farmers from agricultural policy effects that drive a wedge between the domestic farmgate price and an adjusted international reference price requires extensive data and judgments. In this paper, we describe the PSE measurement issues and illustrate their importance. We estimate product-specific market price support, budget expenditures and PSEs for three important agricultural commodities (wheat, rice and corn) in India (1985-2002), using representative disaggregated state-level results, and for five commodities (wheat, rice, corn, soybeans and sugar) in China (1995-2001). The results for India suggest that ignoring factors such as internal transport costs, marketing margins and quality differences can result in inaccurate price support estimates and PSEs that may be of the wrong sign. We also explore how relaxing or changing certain standard PSE assumptions (such as altering the “scaling up” procedure or computing the PSE as a percentage of value of production at world reference prices) can have large impacts on the results. Finally, for commodities that are near self-sufficiency, we follow Byerlee and Morris (1993) and define a relevant adjusted reference price based on the relationship between an estimated autarky price and the import and export prices. We discuss this procedure and use the resulting reference prices to compute the market price support component of the PSE for India. Based on our three-commodity PSEs for India, support is largely counter-cyclical, rising when world prices are low (as in the late 1980s and 1990s) and falling when world prices strengthen (as in the mid 1990s). From our more preliminary five-commodity PSE estimates for China, a trend decline in disprotection is more evident. Further research is needed to confirm and elaborate on these results.
Time varying surface reconstruction from multiview video

We present a fast deformation-based method for building time-varying surface models of dynamic objects from multiview video streams. Starting from an initial mesh representation, the surface of a dynamic object is tracked over time, both in geometry and connectivity, based on multiview silhouette information via a mesh-based deformation technique. The resulting smooth time-varying surface is then represented as a mesh sequence that can efficiently be encoded in terms of mesh restructuring operations and small-scale vertex displacements along with the initial model. Another advantage of the proposed method is the ability to deal with dynamic objects that may undergo a nonrigid transformation. We demonstrate the performance of the presented method on a synthetic human body model sequence.