Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lifestyle behaviour change in adults with intellectual disabilities : an exploratory investigation of carers’ causal attributions and motivation to support change

Abstract Background: Carers and families have a key role in supporting adults with intellectual disabilities to make lifestyle behaviour changes. This study explores paid and family carers’ motivation to support change and their attributions around physical activity choices in the individuals that they support. Methods: A between subjects questionnaire design, using two questionnaires adapted specifically for this study, was used to investigate carers’ motivation to support behaviour change and explore how this related to their attributions of physical activity choices. The influence of gender, age and level of intellectual disabilities of the individual that the carer supports were examined. Results: 18 carers participated in the study. There was evidence to suggest that carers’ motivation to support change and attributions were correlated. In addition, motivation and attributions were related to age and level of intellectual disabilities of the individual supported by the carer. Conclusion: Carer attributions might present a barrier to motivation to support change. This may indicate a training need for carers. Further research is required to further explore carer attributions and to further examine the utility of the questionnaire measures adapted for this study.
Advanced Segmentation Techniques Using Genetic Algorithm for Recognition of Lung Diseases from CT Scans of Thorax

In this study, texture based segmentation and recognition of the lung diseases from the computed tomography images are presented. The texture based features are extracted by Gabor filtering, feature selection techniques such as Information Gain, Principal Component Analysis, correlation based feature selection are employed with Genetic algorithm which is used as an optimal initialisation of the clusters. The feature outputs are combined by watershed segmentation and the fuzzy C means clustering. The images are recognized with the statistical and the shape based features. The four classes of the dataset of lung diseases are considered and the training and testing are done by the Naive Bayes classifier to classify the datasets. Results of this work show an accuracy of above 90% for the correlation based feature selection method for the four classes of the
Generating Lemmas for Tableau-based Proof Search Using Genetic Programming

Top-down or analytical provers based on the connection tableau calculus are rather powerful, yet have notable shortcomings regarding redundancy control. A well-known and successful technique for alleviating these shortcomings is the use of lemmas. We propose to use genetic programming to evolve useful lemmas through an interleaved process of top-down goal decomposition and bottom-up lemma generation. Experimental studies show that our method compares very favorably with existing methods, improving on run time and on the number of solvable problems.
Synalp-Empathic: A Valence Shifting Hybrid System for Sentiment Analysis

This paper describes the Synalp-Empathic system that competed in SemEval-2014 Task 9B Sentiment Analysis in Twitter. Our system combines syntactic-based valence shifting rules with a supervised learning algorithm (Sequential Minimal Optimization). We present the system, its features and evaluate their impact. We show that both the valence shifting mechanism and the supervised model enable to reach good results.
HALS-based algorithm for affine non-negative matrix factorization

Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) learns to approximate a non-negative matrix by the product of two lower-rank non-negative matrices. Since NMF usually learns sparse representation,it has been widely used in pattern recognition and data mining. However, NMF cannot deal with the datasets that contain offsets. To remedy this problem, Laurberg and Hansen proposed affine NMF (ANMF) by jointly learning the offset vector, but the proposed multiplicative update rule neither guarantees non-negativity constraints over factor matrices nor converges sufficiently rapid. In this paper, we adopt the well-known hierarchical alternating least squares (HALS) algorithm to solve ANMF. Since the update of offset vector is in the same frame of updates of factor matrices, HALS is quite suitable for solving ANMF and the experimental results on simulated datasets validate its efficiency.
Leucine Metabolism in IDDM: Role of Insulin and Substrate Availability

The effect of insulin on plasma amino acid concentrations and leucine metabolism was examined in 18 healthy nondiabetic young volunteers and in 7 subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with the euglycemic insulin-clamp technique (40 mU · m−2 · min−1) in combination with [1-14C]leucine. All diabetic subjects were studied while in poor metabolic control (fasting glucose 13.3 ± 1.1 mM; HbA1c 10.8 ± 0.2%) and again after 2 mo of intensified insulin therapy (fasting glucose 7.2 ± 0.5 mM; HbA1c 8.0 ± 0.2%). Insulin-mediated total-body glucose uptake in poorly controlled diabetic subjects (3.6 ± 0.5 mg · kg−1 · min−1) was significantly reduced compared with control subjects (7.5 ± 0.2 mg · kg−1 · min−1; P < .001) and improved slightly after insulin therapy (4.8 ± 0.3 mg · kg−1 · min−1; P < .05), although it still remained significantly lower than in control subjects (P < .01). During the insulin-clamp study performed in subjects with poorly controlled IDDM, endogenous leucine flux (ELF), leucine oxidation (LO), and nonoxidative leucine disposal (NOLD) all decreased (50.1 ± 2.0 to 26.4 ± 0.4; 9.2 ± 0.4 to 6.0 ± 0.3; 40.9 ± 2.0 to 20.4 ± 2.0 μmol · m−2 · min−1, respectively) to the same extent as in control subjects. After 2 mo of intensified insulin therapy, the effect of acute hyperinsulinemia on ELF, LO, and NOLD was comparable to that of control subjects, whereas insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism was still impaired. To examine the effect of substrate availability on leucine turnover, well-regulated IDDM and control subjects underwent a repeat insulin-clamp study combined with a balanced amino acid infusion designed to increase circulating plasma amino acid levels approximately twofold. Under these conditions, NOLD was equally enhanced above baseline in both control and IDDM subjects (P < .01), whereas ELF was inhibited to a greater extent (P < .01) than during the insulin clamp performed without amino acid infusion (control vs. diabetic subjects, NS). In conclusion, insulin-mediated glucose metabolism is severely impaired in subjects with both poorly controlled and well-controlled IDDM, whereas the effect of acute insulin infusion on leucine turnover is normal, and combined hyperaminoacidemia/hyperinsulinemia stimulated NOLD to a similar extent in both IDDM and control subjects.
Focus+Context Metro Maps

We introduce a focus+context method to visualize a complicated metro map of a modern city on a small displaying area. The context of our work is with regard the popularity of mobile devices. The best route to the destination, which can be obtained from the arrival time of trains, is highlighted. The stations on the route enjoy larger spaces, whereas the other stations are rendered smaller and closer to fit the whole map into a screen. To simplify the navigation and route planning for visitors, we formulate various map characteristics such as octilinear transportation lines and regular station distances into energy terms. We then solve for the optimal layout in a least squares sense. In addition, we label the names of stations that are on the route of a passenger according to human preferences, occlusions, and consistencies of label positions using the graph cuts method. Our system achieves real-time performance by being able to report instant information because of the carefully designed energy terms. We apply our method to layout a number of metro maps and show the results and timing statistics to demonstrate the feasibility of our technique.
Real-Time Monitoring of Respiration Rhythm and Pulse Rate During Sleep

A noninvasive and unconstrained real-time method to detect the respiration rhythm and pulse rate during sleep is presented. By employing the agrave trous algorithm of the wavelet transformation (WT), the respiration rhythm and pulse rate can be monitored in real-time from a pressure signal acquired with a pressure sensor placed under a pillow. The waveform for respiration rhythm detection is derived from the 26 scale approximation, while that for pulse rate detection is synthesized by combining the 24 and 25 scale details. To minimize the latency in data processing and realize the highest real-time performance, the respiration rhythm and pulse rate are estimated by using waveforms directly derived from the WT approximation and detail components without the reconstruction procedure. This method is evaluated with data collected from 13 healthy subjects. By comparing with detections from finger photoelectric plethysmograms used for pulse rate detection, the sensitivity and positive predictivity were 99.17% and 98.53%, respectively. Similarly, for respiration rhythm, compared with detections from nasal thermistor signals, results were 95.63% and 95.42%, respectively. This study suggests that the proposed method is promising to be used in a respiration rhythm and pulse rate monitor for real-time monitoring of sleep-related diseases during sleep
Privacy, self-disclosure and self-image of Spanish teenagers on social networking sites. The case of Fotolog

This paper presents the results of a research study that analyzes the quantitative content of 355 entries on the social network Fotolog to determine the type of information shared by adolescents on the Web 2.0. The variables considered are related to intensity of use of the platform, the personal information disclosed, and the representational strategies used. The study concludes that Spanish adolescents strategically manage personal information and privacy. Adolescents sacrifice part of their privacy in exchange for the popularity and prestige they obtain as a result of being recognized by others in their idealized identity of themselves that they present. RESUMEN: Este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación que, mediante el análisis de contenido cuantitativo de 355 entradas de la red social Fotolog, observa qué tipo de informaciones comparten los adolescentes en la web 2.0. Las variables consideradas están relacionadas con la intensidad de uso de la plataforma, la información personal revelada, así como las estrategias representacionales empleadas. El estudio concluye que los y las adolescentes españoles manejan estratégicamente la información personal y la privacidad. Los adolescentes sacrifican parte de su privacidad a cambio de la popularidad y prestigio que obtienen al ser reconocidos por los demás en la identidad idealizada que presentan de sí mismos.
Inferring processes of cultural transmission: the critical role of rare variants in distinguishing neutrality from novelty biases

Neutral evolution assumes that there are no selective forces distinguishing different variants in a population. Despite this striking assumption, many recent studies have sought to assess whether neutrality can provide a good description of different episodes of cultural change. One approach has been to test whether neutral predictions are consistent with observed progeny distributions, recording the number of variants that have produced a given number of new instances within a specified time interval: a classic example is the distribution of baby names. Using an overlapping generations model, we show that these distributions consist of two phases: a power-law phase with a constant exponent of , followed by an exponential cut-off for variants with very large numbers of progeny. Maximum-likelihood estimations of the model parameters provide a direct way to establish whether observed empirical patterns are consistent with neutral evolution. We apply our approach to a complete dataset of baby names from Australia. Crucially, we show that analyses based on only the most popular variants, as is often the case in studies of cultural evolution, can provide misleading evidence for underlying transmission hypotheses. While neutrality provides a plausible description of progeny distributions of abundant variants, rare variants deviate from neutrality. Further, we develop a simulation framework that allows the detection of alternative cultural transmission processes. We show that anti-novelty bias is able to replicate the complete progeny distribution of the Australian dataset. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Process and pattern in innovations from cells to societies’.
Quantum Theory, Namely the Pure and Reversible Theory of Information

After more than a century since its birth, Quantum Theory still eludes our understanding. If asked to describe it, we have to resort to abstract and ad hoc principles about complex Hilbert spaces. How is it possible that a fundamental physical theory cannot be described using the ordinary language of Physics? Here we offer a contribution to the problem from the angle of Quantum Information, providing a short non-technical presentation of a recent derivation of Quantum Theory from information-theoretic principles. The broad picture emerging from the principles is that Quantum Theory is the only standard theory of information that is compatible with the purity and reversibility of physical processes.
Performance of packetized layered space-time detection over wireless links

ALOHA systems are some of the most attractive options for wireless applications which include packet transmission. However, despite their flexibility and simplicity, they present a very low channel throughput. The objective of this paper is to analyze the performance of such a protocol based layered space-time scheme over wireless communication links. A multiuser environment is hence considered in which each user carries only one transmit antenna. A generalization of Vertical-Layered Space-Time (V-BLAST) technique for BPSK modulation is then invoked to detect the transmitted signals through the use of multiple receive antennas at the base station. We asses in this paper the gain achieved by the proposed receiver; denoted by rT-BLAST, compared to the conventional V-BLAST system. We first consider the performance of this system over flat fading channels for a variety of system parameters. Then, throughput and delay performance are analyzed under different packetized traffics. It is demonstrated through simulation results that a significant improvement in system capacity, throughput and delay are achieved.
FrameNet on the Way to Babel: Creating a Bilingual FrameNet Using Wiktionary as Interlingual Connection

We present a new bilingual FrameNet lexicon for English and German. It is created through a simple, but powerful approach to construct a FrameNet in any language using Wiktionary as an interlingual representation. Our approach is based on a sense alignment of FrameNet and Wiktionary, and subsequent translation disambiguation into the target language. We perform a detailed evaluation of the created resource and a discussion of Wiktionary as an interlingual connection for the cross-language transfer of lexicalsemantic resources. The created resource is publicly available at http://www. ukp.tu-darmstadt.de/fnwkde/.
Determining an Optimal Time Interval for Testing and Debugging Software

A decision-theoretic procedure for determining an optimal time interval for testing software prior to its release is proposed. The approach is based on the principles of decision-making under uncertainty and involves a maximization of expected utility. Two plausible forms for the utility function, one based on costs and the other involving the realized reliability of the software, are described. Using previous results on probabilistic models for software failure, the ensuing optimization problem (which can be addressed using numerical techniques) is outlined for the case of single-state testing. The sensitivity of the results to the various input parameters is discussed, and some directions for future research are outlined. >
Expression analysis of the transmembrane mucin MUC20 in human corneal and conjunctival epithelia.

PURPOSE Cell surface mucins are a group of highly O-glycosylated transmembrane glycoproteins responsible for the protection of epithelial cells on mucosal surfaces. The aim of this study was to investigate the localization and regulation of mucin 20 (MUC20) at the ocular surface. METHODS Localization of MUC20 in human corneal and conjunctival epithelia was evaluated by immunofluorescence microscopy. Immortalized corneal (HCLE) and conjunctival (HCjE) cell lines were grown at different stages of differentiation and subjected to quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses. Cell surface proteins on apical cell membranes were biotinylated and isolated by neutravidin chromatography. RESULTS The MUC20 was detected throughout the entire human ocular surface epithelia, predominantly in cell membranes within intermediate cell layers. In conjunctiva, MUC20 also was observed in the cytoplasm of apical cells within the stratified squamous epithelium, but not in goblet cells. Quantitative PCR and immunoblotting demonstrated expression of MUC20 in HCLE and HCjE cells. Induction of differentiation with serum-containing medium resulted in upregulation of MUC20 mRNA and protein. Biotin labeling of the surface of stratified cultures revealed low levels of MUC20 protein on apical glycocalyces. Further, MUC20 was not detected in the cell culture media or in human tears, suggesting that the extracellular domain of MUC20 is not released from the ocular surface as described previously for other cell surface mucins. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that MUC20 is a novel transmembrane mucin expressed by the human corneal and conjunctival epithelia, and suggest that differential expression of MUC20 during differentiation has a role in maintaining ocular surface homeostasis.
Preliminary evidence for a fronto-parietal dysfunction in able-bodied participants with a desire for limb amputation.

BACKGROUND Reports of able-bodied participants with the persisting desire for limb amputation raise legal and ethical questions that are partly due to insufficient empirical knowledge about the condition. Here, we searched for potential neurological mechanisms in participants with desire for limb amputation in order to help develop adequate nosological classifications, diagnosis, and treatment. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 participants who self-identified themselves as able-bodied individuals desiring amputation of a limb. RESULTS The results suggest that amputation desire is not unspecific, but in most cases specific for a circumscribed part of the body. Most frequently affected was the leg, mostly on the left, non-dominant side. Left-sidedness and limb specificity was associated with elementary and complex somatosensory disturbances of the affected limb akin to those reported by neurological patients. The most frequent neurological co-morbidity was migraine headache. CONCLUSIONS These results document the existence of an unusual condition in able-bodied participants characterized by a person's desire for the amputation of one or more particular limbs. Left-sidedness, limb specificity and somatosensory disturbances of the affected limb are suggestive of abnormal brain mechanisms in right fronto-parietal cortex. Based on this association we suggest that desire for limb amputation may be conceptualized as asomatognosia due to disturbed integration of multi-sensory information of the affected body parts into a coherent cerebral representation of the own body. This suggestion has to be regarded with caution as we did not perform any neurological examination.
Laser Dicing and Subsequent Die Strength Enhancement Technologies for Ultra-thin Wafer

Current mechanical wafer dicing process adopting diamond grit shows advantages of low cost and high productivity. However, mechanical process for ultra-thin wafers would induce residual stress or mechanical damage, which can lead to wafer broken and die cracking. With the development of laser technology, laser precision micromachining has been employed for thin semiconductor wafer singulation, which shows advantages of no chipping, small kerf width, and high throughput over mechanical blade dicing. However, thermal damage to the chip induced by laser ablation results in die strength degradation. For ultra thin chip, low die strength tends to induce die crack in packaging process. Thus, thermal damage to the chip needs to be studied. In this study, first we made a comparison between mechanical blade sawing and laser ablation processes. Die strength and microstructure changes were studied by means of bending test and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis, respectively. Die strength results showed that the die strength obtained by laser dicing was far lower than that obtained by blade sawing. TEM analysis demonstrated that formation of microcracks and porosities in laser diced face, caused the die strength degradation. In addition, significant deviation between frontside and backside die strength was found in the laser micromachinned dies. The reason for this deviation was clarified as the defects density difference existing in top and bottom layer of the chip sidewalk Experiments results showed that the die strength obtained by laser dicing can not meet the demand of the packaging process. It tends to crack or fracture in the die attach or wire bonding process. Thus, it is essential to improve the die strength. Thus, in this investigation, etching processes including wet-etch and dry-etch were attempted to recover the die strength by removing the chip side wall damage. SEM and TEM images indicated that, before etching, the laser diced side walls were with rough surfaces, voids and microcracks. After etching, the surfaces got smooth and most of the voids and microcracks were removed. Chip strength measurement also verified the partial die strength recovery after etching process.
Scalable Traffic-Aware Virtual Machine Management for Cloud Data Centers

Virtual Machine (VM) management is a powerful mechanism for providing elastic services over Cloud Data Centers (DC)s. At the same time, the resulting network congestion has been repeatedly reported as the main bottleneck in DCs, even when the overall resource utilization of the infrastructure remains low. However, most current VM management strategies are traffic-agnostic, while the few that are traffic-aware only concern a static initial allocation, ignore bandwidth oversubscription, or do not scale. In this paper we present S-CORE, a scalable VM migration algorithm to dynamically reallocate VMs to servers while minimizing the overall communication footprint of active traffic flows. We formulate the aggregate VM communication as an optimization problem and we then define a novel distributed migration scheme that iteratively adapts to dynamic traffic changes. Through extensive simulation and implementation results, we show that S-CORE achieves significant (up to 87%) communication cost reduction while incurring minimal overhead and downtime.