Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Replication of Virtual Network Functions: Optimizing link utilization and resource costs

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is enabling the softwarization of traditional network services, commonly deployed in dedicated hardware, into generic hardware in form of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs), which can be located flexibly in the network. However, network load balancing can be critical for an ordered sequence of VNFs, also known as Service Function Chains (SFCs), a common cloud and network service approach today. The placement of these chained functions increases the ping-pong traffic between VNFs, directly affecting to the efficiency of bandwidth utilization. The optimization of the placement of these VNFs is a challenge as also other factors need to be considered, such as the resource utilization. To address this issue, we study the problem of VNF placement with replications, and especially the potential of VNFs replications to help load balance the network, while the server utilization is minimized. In this paper we present a Linear Programming (LP) model for the optimum placement of functions finding a trade-off between the minimization of two objectives: the link utilization and CPU resource usage. The results show how the model load balance the utilization of all links in the network using minimum resources.
Renal Function and Death in Older Women: Which eGFR Formula Should We Use?

Background. The Berlin Initiative Study (BIS) eGFR equations were developed specifically for aged populations, but their predictive validity compared to standard formulae is unknown in older women. Methods. In a prospective study of 1289 community-dwelling older women (mean age 79.5 years), we compared the performance of the BIS1 SCr-based equation to the CKD-EPIcr and the BIS2 SCr- and Scysc-based equation to the CKD-EPIcr,cysc to predict cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Results. Prevalence of specific eGFR category (i.e., ≥75, 60–74, 45–59, and <45) according to eGFR equation was 12.3%, 38.4%, 37.3%, and 12.0% for BIS1; 48.3%, 27.8%, 16.2%, and 7.8% for CKD-EPIcr; 14.1%, 38.6%, 37.6%, and 9.6% for BIS2; and 33.5%, 33.4%, 22.0%, and 11.1% for CKD-EPIcr,cysc, respectively. Over 9 ± 4 years, 667 (51.8%) women died. For each equation, women with eGFR <45 were at increased risk of mortality compared to eGFR ≥75 [adjusted HR (95% CI): BIS1, 1.5 (1.1–2.0); CKD-EPIcr, 1.7 (1.3–2.2); BIS2, 2.0 (1.4–2.8); CKD-EPIcr,cysc, 1.8 (1.4–2.3); p-trend <0.01]. Net reclassification analyses found no material difference in discriminant ability between the BIS and CKD-EPI equations. Results were similar for cardiovascular death. Conclusions. Compared to CKD-EPI, BIS equations identified a greater proportion of older women as having CKD but performed similarly to predict mortality risk. Thus, the BIS equations should not replace CKD-EPI equations to predict risk of death in older women.
Precise and full-range dimming control for an offline single-inductor-multiple-output LED driver

In this paper, PWM dimming is studied for an offline single-inductor-multiple-output (SIMO) LED driver at the string level (i.e., only one power channel is active) and at the system level (i.e., all power channels are active). The issues of employing PWM dimming over a SIMO LED driver are investigated and the corresponding solutions are proposed. With the proposed dimming technique, a SIMO LED driver can achieve a high dimming precision (with a tolerance of 0.8%) and a full dimming range (0%–100%) for each power channel. The proposed PWM dimming method has been practically verified with a 25 W off-line SIMO LED driver prototype.
Internet Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Clinician vs. Technician Assistance

Background Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has been shown to be effective when guided by a clinician. The present study sought to replicate this finding, and determine whether support from a technician is as effective as guidance from a clinician. Method Randomized controlled non-inferiority trial comparing three groups: Clinician-assisted vs. technician-assisted vs. delayed treatment. Community-based volunteers applied to the VirtualClinic (www.virtualclinic.org.au) research program and 150 participants with GAD were randomized. Participants in the clinician- and technician-assisted groups received access to an iCBT program for GAD comprising six online lessons, weekly homework assignments, and weekly supportive contact over a treatment period of 10 weeks. Participants in the clinician-assisted group also received access to a moderated online discussion forum. The main outcome measures were the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Item (GAD-7). Completion rates were high, and both treatment groups reduced scores on the PSWQ (p<0.001) and GAD-7 (p<0.001) compared to the delayed treatment group, but did not differ from each other. Within group effect sizes on the PSWQ were 1.16 and 1.07 for the clinician- and technician-assisted groups, respectively, and on the GAD-7 were 1.55 and 1.73, respectively. At 3 month follow-up participants in both treatment groups had sustained the gains made at post-treatment. Participants in the clinician-assisted group had made further gains on the PSWQ. Approximately 81 minutes of clinician time and 75 minutes of technician time were required per participant during the 10 week treatment program. Conclusions Both clinician- and technician-assisted treatment resulted in large effect sizes and clinically significant improvements comparable to those associated with face-to-face treatment, while a delayed treatment/control group did not improve. These results provide support for large scale trials to determine the clinical effectiveness and acceptability of technician-assisted iCBT programs for GAD. This form of treatment has potential to increase the capacity of existing mental health services. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000563268
Sound Pattern Matching for Automatic Prosodic Event Detection

Prosody in speech is manifested by variations of loudness, exaggeration of pitch, and specific phonetic variations of prosodic segments. For example, in the stressed and unstressed syllables, there are differences in place or manner of articulation, vowels in unstressed syllables may have a more central articulation, and vowel reduction may occur when a vowel changes from a stressed to an unstressed position. In this paper, we characterize the sound patterns using phonological posteriors to capture the phonetic variations in a concise manner. The phonological posteriors quantify the posterior probabilities of the phonological features given the input speech acoustics, and they are obtained using the deep neural network (DNN) computational method. Built on the assumption that there are unique sound patterns in different prosodic segments, we devise a sound pattern matching (SPM) method based on 1-nearest neighbour classifier. In this work, we focus on automatic detection of prosodic stress placed on words, called also emphasized words. We evaluate the SPM method on English and French data with emphasized words. The word emphasis detection works very well also on cross-lingual tests, that is using a French classifier on English data, and vice versa.
MPR: Multi-Objective Pairwise Ranking

The recommendation challenge can be posed as the problem of predicting either item ratings or item rankings. The latter approach has proven more effective. Pairwise learning-to-rank techniques have been relatively successful. Hence, they are popularly used for learning recommender model parameters such as those in collaborative filtering (CF) models. The model parameters are learned by optimizing close smooth approximations of the non-smooth information retrieval (IR) metrics such as Mean Area Under ROC curve (AUC). Targeted campaigns are an alternative to item recommendations for increasing conversion. The user ranking task is referred to as audience retrieval. It is used in targeted campaigns to rank push campaign recipients based on their potential to convert. In this work, we consider the task of efficiently learning a ranking model that provides item recommendations and user rankings simultaneously. We adopt pairwise learning for this task. We refer to our approach as multi-objective pairwise ranking (MPR). We describe our approach and use experiments to evaluate its performance.
MEMOSEN: multi-radio enabled mobile wireless sensor network

The combined and separated research advancement in the fields of sensing, communication, and computing have driven the research efforts in wireless sensor networks (WSN) in recent years. According to the traditional definition of WSNs, a dense, static, and prohibitively expensive sensor deployment is implicitly required, which has limited the feasibility of WSNs in non-military approaches. Aside from stationary sensor and sink deployment, the introduction of mobility of mobile terminals into WSNs can be leveraged to alleviate the burden of certain static sinks in order for efficient information repository, dissemination and sharing. In this paper, an architecture of multi-radio enabled mobile wireless sensor network (MEMOSEN) has been introduced, which has taken the heterogeneity and mobility of sensors and sinks into account. The capacity gain due to mobility in MEMOSEN has been addressed, and the design challenges and potential applications of MEMOSEN have been analyzed as well.
Analysis of recombinant tagged equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) expressed in E. coli.

Nucleoside transporters (NTs) are integral membrane proteins necessary for the cellular entry of nucleoside analog drugs used in chemotherapeutic treatment of conditions such as cancer and viral or parasitic infections. NTs are also the targets of certain drugs used in the treatment of various cardiovascular conditions. Because of the importance of NTs in drug uptake, determination of the three-dimensional structure of these proteins, particularly hENT1, has the potential to improve these treatments through structure-based design of more specifically targeted and transported drugs. In this paper, we use NMR spectroscopy to investigate the structure of the large intracellular loop between transmembrane domains 6 and 7 and we also describe a method for the successful overexpression of full-length hENT1 in a bacterial system. Recombinant tandem histidine-affinity (HAT) and 3×FLAG tagged hENT1 was overexpressed in E. coli, affinity purified, and functionally characterized by nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI) binding. Anti-3×FLAG immunodetection confirmed the expression of N-HAT-3×FLAG-hENT1, while increased NBTI binding (3.2-fold compared with controls) confirmed the conformational integrity of the recombinant hENT1 within the bacterial inner membrane. Yields of recombinant hENT1 using this approach were ~15 µg/L of bacterial culture and this approach provides a basis for large-scale production of protein for a variety of purposes.
Humanin, a Newly Identified Neuroprotective Factor, Uses the G Protein-Coupled Formylpeptide Receptor-Like-1 as a Functional Receptor1

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by overproduction of β amyloid peptides in the brain with progressive loss of neuronal cells. The 42-aa form of the β amyloid peptide (Aβ42) is implied as a major causative factor, because it is toxic to neurons and elicits inflammatory responses in the brain by activating microglial cells. Despite the overproduction of Aβ42, AD brain tissue also generates protective factor(s) that may antagonize the neurodestructive effect of Aβ42. Humanin is a gene cloned from an apparently normal region of an AD brain and encodes a 24-aa peptide. Both secreted and synthetic Humanin peptides protect neuronal cells from damage by Aβ42, and the effect of Humanin may involve putative cellular receptor(s). To elucidate the molecular identity of such receptor(s), we examined the activity of synthetic Humanin on various cells and found that Humanin induced chemotaxis of mononuclear phagocytes by using a human G protein-coupled formylpeptide receptor-like-1 (FPRL1) and its murine counterpart FPR2. Coincidentally, FPRL1 and FPR2 are also functional receptors used by Aβ42 to chemoattract and activate phagocytic cells. Humanin reduced the aggregation and fibrillary formation by suppressing the effect of Aβ42 on mononuclear phagocytes. In neuroblast cells, Humanin and Aβ42 both activated FPRL1; however, only Aβ42 caused apoptotic death of the cells, and its cytopathic effect was blocked by Humanin. We conclude that Humanin shares human FPRL1 and mouse FPR2 with Aβ42 and suggest that Humanin may exert its neuroprotective effects by competitively inhibiting the access of FPRL1 to Aβ42.
Evaluating Effectiveness of E-Blackboard System Using TAM Framework: A Structural Analysis Approach

Recently, the educational settings have witnessed a growing use of web-based ICT applications and courseware development tools to supplement traditional teaching. Limited studies have evaluated effectiveness of such new technologies. In this article, a survey was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of e-Blackboard instructional platform system in terms of students’ perceptions based on the students’ interactive behaviour with the ICT-rich learning environment. The classical Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework was utilized. Results suggest that the ease of use as well as the usefulness of technology positively influences student’s attitudes towards the system, which in turn determines technology’s effectiveness. Perception of usefulness also significantly influences technology effectiveness.
Optimal A Priori Error Estimates for an Elliptic Problem with Dirac Right-Hand Side

It is well known that finite element solutions for elliptic PDEs with Dirac measures as source terms converge, due to the fact that the solution is not in $H^1$, suboptimal in classical norms. A standard remedy is to use graded meshes, then quasioptimality, i.e., optimal up to a log-factor, for low order finite elements can be recovered, e.g., in the $L^2$-norm. Here we show for the lowest order case quasioptimality and for higher order finite elements optimal order a priori estimates on a family of quasi-uniform meshes in an $L^2$-seminorm. The seminorm is defined as an $L^2$-norm on a fixed subdomain which excludes the locations of the delta source terms. Our motivation in the use of such a norm results from the observation that in many applications the error at the singularity is dominated by the model error, e.g., in dimension reduced settings or is not the quantity of interest, e.g., in optimal control problems. The quasi-optimal and optimal order a priori bounds are obtained recursively by using Aub.
Adapting Geometrical Deformable Models to Multiple Range Images

Recent research topics deal with the problem how to reconstruct real-world objects from a set of multiple range images showing only portions of the object. Here we present an approach how to generate and adapt a geometrical deformable model (GDM) to a set of already registered range images in order to reconstruct the complete object. From the range images we derive a signed distance function which implicitly defines the surface of the object. Then, an intermediate volume is carved out and a sparse triangle mesh is generated. The proposed GDM scheme refines the initial roughly approximated mesh by deformation and adaptive subtriangulation. Due to the adaptive improvement of the mesh up to the desired degree of accuracy, our method describes an efficient way how to reconstruct the object in user-definable accuracy.
Experimental evaluation of a high resolution CdTe-based PET system

Small animal PET imaging requires both high resolution and high sensitivity in order to detect small amounts of radiopharmaceutical with precision. Semiconductor detector such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) makes it possible to localize gamma ray interactions in 3D at submillimetric scale, enabling the design of PET system architectures with innovative geometries. Indeed, thank to a good knowledge of the depth of interaction (DOI) inside the detection unit, it becomes achievable to obtain a homogeneous spatial resolution in the whole field of view (FOV) and then to maximize the solid angle coverage, and then the line-of-response (LOR) coverage. We are developing a CdTe PET detection module, based on the stacking of individual detectors, associated with read-out ASICs. To validate experimentally this design, a small test bench featuring two detection heads was built. A dedicated electronics associating the readout ASIC and FPGA-based processing boards was developed. Experiments were carried out with point sources (using 200 micrometer capillary tubes) phantoms. Results show the potential of this technology to achieve homogeneous spatial resolution in the whole field of view.
TAKING DISADVANTAGE SERIOUSLY: THE ‘UNDERCLASS’ IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA

Inequalities are stark and obvious in post-apartheid South Africa. How to analyse inequalities, however, is far less clear. In Class, Race and Inequality in South Africa (Seekings and Nattrass 2005), we combined original analysis of quantitative data with critical use of a wide range of secondary historical, anthropological and sociological studies to examine both continuities and changes in the South African social structure over the second half of the twentieth century. Of the various arguments made in our book, the one that provokes the most criticism is our identification of an ‘underclass’ in post-apartheid South Africa. Focusing on this, Callebert (2014)1 argues that our analysis ‘assume[s] a fundamental divide in South Africa’s economy based on socio-economic exclusion’, ‘fail[s] to capture the many ways in which people cross these divides in making a living’ and has ‘problematic policy implications’. In his account, we offer a ‘bifurcated’ or ‘dualist’ analysis of the South African economy. ‘Access to formal sector jobs’ is the ‘new and fundamental divide that runs through South African society . In this [that is, our] argument, being a labourer no longer puts one among the lower rungs of society, but is a privilege . ’ For Seekings and Nattrass, he writes, ‘the true socio-economic divide . is between those with and those without access to jobs and other income-earning opportunities’. We are guilty, it seems, of proposing not only that ‘the poor’ should become ‘low-paid labourers’, but that ‘non-unionized low-paid jobs’ should be created ‘at the expense of better-paid unionized employees’. 2 Callebert’s article raises some important points, but it is based on a gross misrepresentation of our argument in Class, Race and Inequality. We do not present a ‘dualist’ or ‘bifurcated’ analysis of South African society. Our analysis of the class structure identified nine or ten classes, on the basis of occupation and earnings from wealth or entrepreneurial activity, not two as implied in Callebert’s charge of dualism. We combined these into three (not two) composite categories or strata (see Seekings and Nattrass 2005: 254, Figure 7.1; 337, Figure 9.4). Our ‘underclass’ formed one part of the poorest or most disadvantaged of these three strata. Moreover, this disadvantaged stratum comprised also what we called the
Learning Science Online: What Matters for Science Teachers?.

Online education is a rapidly growing phenomenon for science teachers. Using a sample of 40 online science courses for teachers offered during the 2004-2005 academic year, the Learning Science Online (LSO) study explores what characteristics of online science courses are most strongly associated with positive learning outcomes among science teachers, after accounting for teachers’ prior science experiences and demographics. This research is unique in that it is the first aggregate study of teachers learning science online in a wide variety of educational programs. Hierarchical linear modeling points to changing roles of instructors and students in online courses, with lower perceived levels of instructor support and a supportive course design strongly associated with positive learning outcomes.
Adaptive Rate Transmission in Ad Hoc Wireless Networks

The basic idea of adaptive resource allocation is a realtime adaptation of link transmission scheme to match the underlying channel characteristics. This is obtained through variation of the transmitted power level, symbol transmission rate, constellation size, coding rate, or any combination of these parameters. It was shown in [1] that the spectral efficiency of adaptive modulation is relatively insensitive to which degrees of freedom are adapted and that only a small number of levels is usually enough to achieve near-optimal performance. This allows us to choose adaptation parameters based on implementation considerations. In this paper, we explore the performance of an ad hoc wireless network with variable-rate constantpower data transmissions. By means of simulation, we will observe the influence of different parameters like packet length, user activity and others on the network throughput and backoff probability. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In Section 2 we introduce some assumptions about the system model. Section 3 introduces some modifications to CSMA/CA protocol that aim to improve its performance. In Section 4 we present the results obtained and comment on them. Finally, Section 5 summarizes the main ideas and results.
The Making of the Chronic Addict

Inspired by social problems theory, this article analyzes the “formula story” of harm reduction in a Danish addiction-treatment context. In Denmark, very few opiate addicts are in drug-free therapeutic treatment. Instead, they are offered methadone (often on a permanent basis) accompanied by practical help in tackling the negative social, economic, and health-related consequences of their drug use. The aim of this article is to show how the formula story of harm reduction—and first and foremost the idea that opiate addiction is an incurable condition—tends to work as a self-fulfilling prophesy. Opiate addicts entering the treatment system risk being “made up” as chronic addicts regardless of how they themselves look upon their own addiction problem and notwithstanding that many of them have not given up their hope of becoming drug-free. The article is based on two types of data: (1) file records (gathered in 2007) describing the addiction problems and treatment careers of clients enrolled at outpatient treatment centers in Copenhagen, and (2) qualitative interviews (conducted in 2006) with 30 methadone-program participants at the centers. The analysis is qualitative and the empirical results cannot necessarily be generalized to other methadone-maintenance programs. Yet the theoretical message of the article is applicable to all treatment institutions and social problems work in general. Definitions and categorizations of clients are not innocent, and naming people and their problems is the same as changing them.