Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MELODI: Semantic Similarity of Words and Compositional Phrases using Latent Vector Weighting

In this paper we present our system for the SemEval 2013 Task 5a on semantic similar- ity of words and compositional phrases. Our system uses a dependency-based vector space model, in combination with a technique called latent vector weighting. The system computes the similarity between a particular noun in- stance and the head noun of a particular noun phrase, which was weighted according to the semantics of the modifier. The system is en- tirely unsupervised; one single parameter, the similarity threshold, was tuned using the train- ing data.
How Does Religiosity Enhance Psychological Well-Being? Roles of Self-Efficacy and Perceived Social Support

It is known that religiosity is a positive correlate of well-being among adolescents and emerging adults. The current study extends this focus by assessing the roles of self-efficacy and perceived social support, which are presumed to explain the association of religiosity with psychological well-being (PWB). Participants were 331 adolescents and emerging adults (mean age = 21.67 years, SD = 3.92, range = 19–24, 68% male). In addition to correlation analyses, multimediation regression models were analyzed using self-efficacy and perceived social support as two mediators to explain the relationships of religious coping and religious practices with six PWB outcomes. The results from correlation and regression analyses showed that religious coping and religious practices were significant predictors of all PWB outcomes. The findings from multimediation analyses showed that self-efficacy in the presence of perceived social support mediated the relations of both religiosity factors with six PWB outcomes. However, perceived social support in the presence of self-efficacy mediated these relations with only autonomy and self-acceptance. Furthermore, the findings revealed that religious coping compared to religious practices was a stronger predictor of all PWB outcomes, despite similar patterns of mediation effects explaining the independent effects of both.
Uncertainty and Simple Monetary Policy Rules - An illustration for the United Kingdom

This paper reports an investigation of the effects of additive and multiplicative uncertainty upon the stabilisation properties of a simple base money rule for monetary policy. Using a five-equation empirical model of the United Kingdom, it is shown that changes in the extent of additive uncertainty have no effect on the 'optimal' degree of policy responsiveness to shocks to the economy. However, it is found that policy-makers should respond by less to shocks in the face of multiplicative uncertainty, and, as multiplicative uncertainty rises, so the optimal degree of policy reaction falls. This accords with Brainard's (1967) theoretical analysis and could be interpreted as justifying a gradualist monetary policy.
Excitation of multiple spatial modes of a MEMS cantilever in the pulsed digital oscillator

The aim of this paper is to apply an approach that will allow us to consider different mechanical modes of a MEMS cantilever in the form of separate mass-spring-damper equations with the appropriate form of an external driving. In the paper, we focus on a specific MEMS cantilever and use a Pulsed Digital Os­cillator (PDO) to keep self-sustained oscillations of the mechanical structure. By applying the order-reduction procedure to a partial differential equation that describes the transversal deflections, we obtain a system of coupled ordinary differential equations that describes the excitation of multiple spatial modes. On the basis of these ordinary differential equations, we formulate a set of iterative maps to describe the evolution of the modes between two sampling events. The numerical simulations we present are focused on the most common case when the first two mechanical modes are taken into consideration.
Range Camera for Simple behind Display Interaction

This paper presents a method to estimate hand positions behind a display, while the person’s body is in front of the display. This allows for direct and bare hand interaction with virtual objects in an AR setting. As a sensor, we use a time-of-flight range camera, which provides depth information per pixel, but is noisy. While hand tracking has previously been attempted by localizing body parts and fitting a body model into the data, we propose a simpler algorithm. We first remove outliers, and then model the hand as an oriented box whose position and orientation is determined by a PCA algorithm. The calculated hand model is then used in a physics engine based interaction with virtual content.
A Filter Active-Set Algorithm for Ball/Sphere Constrained Optimization Problem

In this paper, we propose a filter active-set algorithm for the minimization problem over a product of multiple ball/sphere constraints. By making effective use of the special structure of the ball/sphere constraints, a new limited memory BFGS (L-BFGS) scheme is presented. The new L-BFGS implementation takes advantage of the sparse structure of the Jacobian of the constraints and generates curvature information of the minimization problem. At each iteration, only two or three reduced linear systems are required to solve for the search direction. The filter technique combined with the backtracking line search strategy ensures the global convergence, and the local superlinear convergence can also be established under mild conditions. The algorithm is applied to two specific applications, the nearest correlation matrix with factor structure and the maximal correlation problem. Our numerical experiments indicate that the proposed algorithm is competitive with some recently custom-designed methods for each ind.
Visual methods in research on fear of crime: a critical assessment

The visual is omnipresent in daily life, and many of these visuals are crime-related. Yet, research on fear of crime is mainly verbal. Exceptions do exist however and these exceptions are the focus of this critical overview. Over 100 studies on fear of crime in which visual methods are employed were analysed. A wide variety of visual methods, both qualitative and quantitative, have been used to collect data to examine various research questions related to fear of crime. Based on the (increasing) role and influence that the respondents have with respect to the visuals in the data collection process, four types of studies are distinguished. Respondents are asked to react to visuals, adapt or create visuals themselves. The fourth type of studies are of a collaborative nature: respondents can influence the contents, format, publication and circulation of the visuals. Visual methods can enhance the research process, data collection and data. The potential of visual methods is especially relevant for studies concerned with contextual and environmental characteristics. Also, when participants are asked to create visuals, whether or not in a participatory framework, surprising and unforeseen findings can be found. Sharing (best) practices helps to handle (ethical) challenges when adopting visual methods.
Improvement study on solving parametric problem on two base sequences

This study aims at suggesting an improvement point in an existing parametric research. The existing researches commonly employ Kishino and Hasegawa’s parametric method by using hypothesis test after analyzing two base sequences parametrically, to find the difference between two base sequences. However, this study proposes thatanalysis of paired different values and hypothesis test to find the difference between two amino acids and estimate the difference to prove quantitative value statistically as an improvement point to current Kishino and Hasegawa test. We should be able to find out the magnitude of mutation in amino acids by using new statistical method. Keyword: improvement point/ Kishino and Hasegawa/ parametric method/ paired difference analysis/ base sequence
Percepções sobre trabalho: análise de concepções de pessoas em situação de rua/Perceptions on work: analysis of conceptions of homeless people

Introducao: No contexto nacional, nos deparamos com alarmantes indices de desemprego estrutural que se tornam exponencialmente maiores quando analisamos as camadas excluidas do direito ao trabalho, como a populacao em situacao de rua. Objetivo: Identificar as concepcoes sobre o trabalho de pessoas em situacao de rua. Metodo: Participaram dez homens abrigados em uma instituicao religiosa que acolhe pessoas em situacao de rua, localizada no interior do Estado de Sao Paulo. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo que utilizou a entrevista semiestruturada para coleta de dados e a tecnica de analise tematica. Resultados: Indicam que os participantes vinculam o trabalho as questoes financeiras, pois o dinheiro foi reconhecido por eles como meio de satisfazer desejos materiais e o sustento familiar. Tambem o vinculam ao uso de substâncias psicoativas, indicado como a principal razao da perda de empregos. Entretanto, verificou-se que o trabalho tambem foi indicado como possibilidade de (re)construcao de projetos de vida futura, sendo componente importante do cotidiano. Os participantes associaram o trabalho a viabilizacao de suas redes sociais que, em muitos casos, apresentava-se fragilizada ou era inexistente e o conceberam como estrategia emancipatoria, seja pessoal, familiar ou financeira. Conclusao: A pesquisa em equipamentos de assistencia social voltados a populacao em situacao de rua e importante, pois amplia o conhecimento sobre os proprios equipamentos, os usuarios e suas demandas, favorecendo a criacao e implantacao de politicas sociais, alem de dar suporte as praticas de Terapia Ocupacional junto a essa populacao, que ainda sao escassas.
Unbalanced data classification using extreme outlier elimination and sampling techniques for fraud detection

Detecting fraud from the highly overlapped and imbalanced fraud dataset is a challenging task. To solve this problem, we propose a new approach called extreme outlier elimination and hybrid sampling technique, k reverse 'nearest neighbors (kRNNs) concept used as a data cleaning method for eliminating extreme outliers in minority regions. Hybrid sampling technique, a combination of SMOTE to over-sample the minority data (fraud samples) and random under- sampling to under-sample the majority data (non-fraud samples) is used for improving the fraud detection accuracy. This method was evaluated in terms of True Positive rate and True Negative rate on the insurance fraud dataset. We conducted the experiments with classifiers namely C4.5, naive Bayes, k-NN and Radial Basis Function networks and compared the performance of our approach against simple hybrid sampling technique. Obtained results shown that extreme outlier elimination from minority class, produce high predictions for both fraud and non-fraud classes.
An adaptable generation approach to agenda management

As software engineering efforts move to more complex, distributed environments, coordinating the activities of people and tools becomes very important. While groupware systems address user level communication needs and distributed computing technologies address tool level communication needs, few attempts have been made to synthesize the common needs of both. This paper describes our attempt to do exactly that. We describe a framework for generating an agenda management system (AMS) from a specification of the system's requirements. The framework can meet a variety of requirements and produces a customized AMS appropriate for use by both humans and software tools. The framework and generated system support evolution in several ways, allowing existing systems to be extended as requirements change. We also describe our experiences using this approach to create an AMS to support a process programming environment.
A retrospective study of the epidemiological aspects of tuberculosis in the Complexo de Manguinhos, an urban slum area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2000-2002

To describe some aspects of tuberculosis in a low-income community (the Complexo de Manguinhos, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), a retrospective study was carried out. Of the 290 cases reported in the 2000-2002 period, 75.8% were new cases. The annual incidence rates were 157/100,000 (2000), 205/100,000 (2001), and 145/100,000 (2002). Although there was a tendency toward a decrease in the number of cases over the period studied, the difference was not significant, suggesting that tuberculosis continues to be endemic in the area. Therefore, despite the existence of local public health care services, more efficient strategies should be implemented in order to increase the effectiveness of tuberculosis control programs in the area.
The Effects of Dispersal on Message-Passing Contention in Processor Allocation Strategies

Processor allocation is a key task in the drive to fully realize the performance potential of massively parallel processing (MPP) systems. With the advent of the class of non-contiguous processor allocation strategies , the allocation performance bottleneck shifted from fragmentation to message-passing contention. This paper presents a method to estimate and minimize contention incurred by non-contiguous allocation strategies. Our approach is to analyze the spatial layout of dispersed nodes. Our contribution is a set of dispersal metrics that show very high correlations with message-passing contention. These dispersal metrics are eecient to implement for a variety of interconnec-tion topologies and have the potential to help evaluate and improve processor allocation strategies.
Symptoms of Fern Distortion Syndrome Resulting from Inoculation with Opportunistic Endophytic Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp.

Background Fern Distortion Syndrome (FDS) is a serious disease of Leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis). The main symptom of FDS is distortion of fronds, making them unmarketable. Additional symptoms include stunting, irregular sporulation, decreased rhizome diameter, and internal discoloration of rhizomes. We previously reported an association of symptoms with increased endophytic rhizome populations of fluorescent pseudomonads (FPs). The aim of the current study was to determine if FPs from ferns in Costa Rica with typical FDS symptoms would recreate symptoms of FDS. Methodology and Findings Greenhouse tests were conducted over a 29-month period. Micro-propagated ferns derived from tissue culture were first grown one year to produce rhizomes. Then, using an 8×9 randomized complete block experimental design, 8 replicate rhizomes were inoculated by dipping into 9 different treatments before planting. Treatments included water without bacteria (control), and four different groups of FPs, each at a two concentrations. The four groups of FPs included one group from healthy ferns without symptoms (another control treatment), two groups isolated from inside rhizomes of symptomatic ferns, and one group isolated from inside roots of symptomatic ferns. Symptoms were assessed 12 and 17 months later, and populations of FPs inside newly formed rhizomes were determined after 17 months. Results showed that inoculation with mixtures of FPs from ferns with FDS symptoms, but not from healthy ferns, recreated the primary symptom of frond deformities and also the secondary symptoms of irregular sporulation, decreased rhizome diameter, and internal discoloration of rhizomes. Conclusions These results suggest a model of causation of FDS in which symptoms result from latent infections by multiple species of opportunistic endophytic bacteria containing virulence genes that are expressed when populations inside the plant reach a minimum level.
A Process Study of Computed Aided Translation

We investigate novel types of assistance for human translators, based on statistical machine translation methods. We developed the computer aided tool Caitra that makes suggestions for sentence completion, shows word and phrase translation options, and allows postediting of machine translation output. We carried out a study of the translation process that involved non-professional translators that were native in either French or English and recorded their interaction with the tool. Users translated 192 sentences from French news stories into English. Most translators were faster and better when using assistance. A detailed examination of the logs also provides insight into the human translation process, such as time spent on different activities and length of pauses.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System

Historically, vendors have used their own methods for scoring software vulnerabilities, usually without detailing their criteria or processes. This creates a major problem for users, particularly those who manage disparate IT systems and applications. The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is a public initiative designed to address this issue by presenting a framework for assessing and quantifying the impact of software vulnerabilities. Organizations currently generating CVSS scores include Cisco, US National Institute of Standards and Technology (through the US National Vulnerability Database; NVD), Qualys, Oracle, and Tenable Network Security. CVSS offers the following benefits: 1) standardized vulnerability scores, 2) contextual scoring and 3) open framework. The goal is for CVSS to facilitate the generation of consistent scores that accurately represent the impact of vulnerabilities
Radial Symmetry and Monotonicity Results for an Integral Equation

In this paper, we consider radial symmetry property of positive solutions of an integral equation arising from some higher order semi-linear elliptic equations on the whole space $\mathbf{R}^n$. We do not use the usual way to get symmetric result by using moving plane method. The nice thing in our argument is that we only need a Hardy-Littlewood-Sobolev type inequality. Our main result is Theorem 1 below.
A new Five-State Markov model for land mobile satellite channels

A new channel model with a five-state Markov chain for land mobile satellite channel (LMSC) is presented. The received amplitude series were classified into three different states according to the degree of shadowing experienced. The two-state model and three-state model are extended to the new five-state model in the paper under the different time-stare of shadowing. The first and second order statistics characters of the model are compared with the measured data and simulation. Finally, the average BER of five-state Markov is compared with six-sate Markov model.
Finding Radio Pulsars in and beyond the Galactic Center

Radio wave scattering is enhanced dramatically for Galactic center sources in a region with radius ≳15. Using scattering from Sgr A* and other sources, we show that pulse broadening for pulsars in the Galactic center is at least 6. 3ν-4 s (ν = radio frequency in GHz) and is most likely 50-200 times larger because the relevant scattering screen appears to be within the Galactic center region itself. Pulsars beyond—but viewed through—the Galactic center suffer even greater pulse broadening and are angularly broadened by up to ~2'. Periodicity searches at radio frequencies are likely to find only long-period pulsars, and then only if optimized by using frequencies ≳7 GHz and by testing for small numbers of harmonics in the power spectrum. The optimal frequency is ν ~ 7.3 GHz[Δ0.1 P(α1/2)]-1/4, where Δ0.1 is the distance of the scattering region from Sgr A* in units of 0.1 kpc, P is the period (in seconds), and α is the spectral index. A search for compact sources using aperture synthesis may be far more successful than searches for periodicities because the angular broadening is not so large as to desensitize the survey. We estimate that the number of detectable pulsars in the Galactic center may range from ≤1 to 100, with the larger values resulting from recent, vigorous starbursts. Such pulsars provide unique opportunities for probing the ionized gas, gravitational potential, and stellar population near Sgr A*.
GSTP1 A>G polymorphism and chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma: A meta-analysis

Abstract The association between GSTP1 A>G polymorphism and chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma is controversial according to previously published studies. We conducted this meta-analysis to further investigate the role of GSTP1 A>G genetic variation in response to chemotherapy resistance in patients with osteosarcoma. Using the electronic databases of Pubmed, Wanfang and CNIK were searched to find the studies related to the GSTP1 A>G polymorphism and chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma. The genotype of AA, AG and GG were extracted from the chemotherapy sensitivity and chemotherapy resistance group. The association between GSTP1 A>G polymorphism and chemosensitivity was calculated by STATA11.0 software. The correlation between GSTP1 A>G polymorphism and chemotherapy response was assessed by odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Four studies with 681 cases were finally included in this meta-analysis. The pooled data indicated that there was no significant association between GSTP1 A>G polymorphism and chemosensitivity in patients with osteosarcoma [Homozygous genetic model (GG vs AA): OR=0.53, 95%CI: 0.25-1.12, P=0.10; recessive genetic model (GG vs GA+AA): OR=0.61, 95%CI:0.34-1.11,P=0.11; and dominant genetic model (GG+AG vs AA): OR=0.67, 95%CI:0.42-1.07,P=0.10]. No correlation between GSTP1 A>G polymorphism and chemosensitivity was found according to this present meta-analysis. However, the small number of cases in each included study and significant statistical heterogeneity among the trials means the conclusion should be regarded as conservative.
Low Noise Figure, Wide Bandwidth Analog Optical Link

We report achieving a record low noise figure for an amplifierless fiber-optic link — ≤ 15 dB over the frequency range 1.0 – 9.5 GHz — via a combination of a low-VπMach-Zehnder modulator with two antiphase outputs, a high-power laser, and a balanced photodetector pair. We also present a complete model for this link that predicts its measured performance to within 1 dB.
SCIN-cache: Fast speculative versioning in multithreaded cores

This article describes cache designs for efficiently supporting speculative techniques like transactional memory on chip multiprocessors with multithreaded cores. On-demand allocation and prompt freeing of speculative cache space in the design reduces the burden on nonspeculative execution. Quick access to both clean and speculative versions of data for multiple contexts provides flexibility and greater design freedom to HTM architects. Performance analysis shows the designs stand up well against other HTM design proposals, with potential performance gains in high contention applications with small transactions.