Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cache Replacement Based on Distance to Origin Servers

The number of users downloading video content on the Internet has dramatically increased recently, and obtaining huge rich content items, e.g., movie files, is becoming a popular application of the Internet. The transmission bandwidth consumed by delivering rich content is enormous. Therefore, it is urgent for Internet service providers to design an efficient delivery system that minimizes the amount of network resources consumed. Content delivery networks are widely used to reduce the flow hop length and the response time when obtaining content items. To improve the cache efficiency, various methods of replacing caches have been proposed, with the target of improving the cache hit ratio. The effect of reducing the traffic load on network links by delivering content items from caches depends on the distance from the origin server to the users. However, many existing methods do not consider the origin server distance. To maximize the effect of reducing the link load obtained by caches, we propose here a cache-replacement policy based on the hop distance to the origin servers. To simplify the caching algorithm, we divide the storage capacity of cache severs into multiple virtual caches and manage content items separately on the basis of the hop distance to origin servers. We also propose an optimal method for designing the capacities of virtual caches that maximizes the total expected reduction of flow hop length. Through numerical evaluation, we show that the proposed method can decrease the average link load by about 10% compared with the normal least recently used.
Metrological sharp shooting for plasma proteins and peptides: The need for reference materials for accurate measurements in clinical proteomics and in vitro diagnostics to generate reliable results

Reliable study results are necessary for the assessment of discoveries, including those from proteomics. Reliable study results are also crucial to increase the likelihood of making a successful choice of biomarker candidates for verification and subsequent validation studies, a current bottleneck for the transition to in vitro diagnostic (IVD). In this respect, a major need for improvement in proteomics appears to be accuracy of measurements, including both trueness and precision of measurement. Standardization and total quality management systems (TQMS) help to provide accurate measurements and reliable results. Reference materials are an essential part of standardization and TQMS in IVD and are crucial to provide metrological correct measurements and for the overall quality assurance process. In this article we give an overview on how reference materials are defined, prepared and what role they play in standardization and TQMS to support the generation of reliable results. We discuss how proteomics can support the establishment of reference materials and biomarker tests for IVD applications, how current reference materials used in IVD may be beneficially applied in proteomics, and we provide considerations on the establishment of reference materials specific for proteomics. For clarity, we solely focus on reference materials related to serum and plasma.
Robot imitation learning based on cyber-graphic model

Cybernetic graphic model (CGM) based on visual observation for robot imitation learning was proposed, which regards the behaviors as stage control procedure, and uses sequence of behavioural primitive to express and execute. Firstly, theoretical precondition analysis proved that differential motion of terminal executor could be used as the behavioral primitives. Then architecture of CGM was described. Eventually, learning method of CGM was proposed, which consisted of three steps: (1)accumulating and instantaneous correlation function was used to make segmental criterions of sequences to build CGM architecture. (2)behavioral sequence was represented to CGM nodes in trajectory level based on gradient descent under arc length constraint. (3)Radial basis function (RBF) network was used to functionalize the node parameters to boost the generalization ability of model. The experiments of two behavioral instances, which cover different levels and types of behaviors, on two types of robots prove that CGM is extremely advanced and powerful in generalization of imitation learning.
A Statistical Learning Method to Fast Generalised Rule Induction Directly from Raw Measurements

Induction of descriptive models is one of the most important technologies in data mining. The expressiveness of descriptive models are of paramount importance in applications that examine the causality of relationships between variables. Most of the work on descriptive models has concentrated on less expressive approaches such as clustering algorithms or rule-based approaches that are limited to a particular type of data, such as association rule mining for binary data. However, in many applications its important to understand the structure of the produced model for further human evaluation. In this research we present a novel generalised rule induction method that allows the induction of descriptive and expressive rules directly from both categorical and numerical features.
Directional Theta Coherence in Prefrontal Cortical to Amygdalo-Hippocampal Pathways Signals Fear Extinction

Theta oscillations are considered crucial mechanisms in neuronal communication across brain areas, required for consolidation and retrieval of fear memories. One form of inhibitory learning allowing adaptive control of fear memory is extinction, a deficit of which leads to maladaptive fear expression potentially leading to anxiety disorders. Behavioral responses after extinction training are thought to reflect a balance of recall from extinction memory and initial fear memory traces. Therefore, we hypothesized that the initial fear memory circuits impact behavioral fear after extinction, and more specifically, that the dynamics of theta synchrony in these pathways signal the individual fear response. Simultaneous multi-channel local field and unit recordings were obtained from the infralimbic prefrontal cortex, the hippocampal CA1 and the lateral amygdala in mice. Data revealed that the pattern of theta coherence and directionality within and across regions correlated with individual behavioral responses. Upon conditioned freezing, units were phase-locked to synchronized theta oscillations in these pathways, characterizing states of fear memory retrieval. When the conditioned stimulus evoked no fear during extinction recall, theta interactions were directional with prefrontal cortical spike firing leading hippocampal and amygdalar theta oscillations. These results indicate that the directional dynamics of theta-entrained activity across these areas guide changes in appraisal of threatening stimuli during fear memory and extinction retrieval. Given that exposure therapy involves procedures and pathways similar to those during extinction of conditioned fear, one therapeutical extension might be useful that imposes artificial theta activity to prefrontal cortical-amygdalo-hippocampal pathways that mimics the directionality signaling successful extinction recall.
Cell-by-Cell Alignment of Repeated Specular Microscopy Images from the Same Eye

Purpose Modern specular microscopes (SM) robustly depict the same central area of the corneal endothelium at different time points through a built-in fixation light. However, repeated image acquisitions slightly shift and rotate because of minute changes in head position in the chin and forehead rest. This prevents the manual retrieval of individual corneal endothelial cells (CECs) in repeated measurements because SM images usually lack obvious landmarks. We devised and validated an image registration algorithm that aligns SM images from the same eye to make corresponding CECs coincide. Methods We retrospectively selected 27 image pairs for the presence of significant image overlap. Each image pair had been recorded on the same day and of the same eye. We applied our registration method in each image pair. Two observers independently validated, by means of alternation flicker, that the image pairs had been correctly aligned. We also repeatedly applied our registration method on unrelated image pairs by randomly drawing images and making certain that the images did not originate from the same eye. This was done to assess the specifity of our method. Results All automated registrations of the same-day and same-eye image pairs were accurate. However, one single image incorrectly failed to trigger the non-match diagnosis twice in 81 registration attempts between unrelated images. As it turned out, this particular image depicted only 73 CECs. The average number of CECs was 253 (range 73–393). Conclusion Repeated non-contact SM images can be automatedly aligned so that the corresponding CECs coincide. Any successful alignment can be considered as proof of the retrieval of identical CECs as soon as at least 100 CEC centroids have been identified. We believe our method is the first to robustly confirm endothelial stability in individual eyes.
[More and faster notification of infectious disease if notification is carried out by the laboratories instead of the diagnosing physician].

OBJECTIVE To investigate if notification by the laboratories of a number of Group B diseases (meningococcal disease, whooping cough and hepatitis A) which according to the Communicable Disease Law of 999 must be reported to the local public health authority, would increase the number of reports and the speed at which the reports were made. DESIGN Comparative study. METHOD In the participating regions (Den Bosch and north-east Brabant) it was decided that the laboratories would notify the authorities of cases ofmeningococcal disease, whooping cough and hepatitis A. The notifications were compared with those from the middle-Brabant region which was used as a control. This took place in 1997/'98, prior to the start of the notification project and in 2000/'02 when it was running. The number of positive cases of infectious disease confirmed by the laboratories that were reported to the local health authorities and to the Inspectorate of Public Health Services was examined - this is known as the degree of notification. The number of days from diagnosis to notification of the local health authorities was also examined - this is known as the speed of notification. RESULTS The degree of notification for these three diseases improved from 6I-89% to 87-95% if the authorities were notified by the laboratories. In the control region the degree of notification improved from 29-4I% to 54-60%. The speed of notification increased significantly if notification was done by the laboratories. CONCLUSION Based on these results it is recommended that the Communicable Disease Law be adapted to allow the laboratories to notify the authorities of cases of infectious disease.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis

● CFA model is constructed in advance – specifies the number of (latent) factors – specifies the pattern of loadings on the factors – that specifies the pattern of unique variances specific to each observation – measurement errors may be correlated Yuck! – factor loadings can be constrained to be zero (or any other value) – covariances among latent factors can be estimated or constrained – multiple group analysis is possible
Supporting agile team composition: A prototype tool for identifying personality (In)compatibilities

Extensive work in the behavioral sciences tells us that team composition is a complex activity in many disciplines, given the variations inherent across individuals' personalities. The composition of teams to undertake software development is subject to this same complexity. Furthermore, the building of a team to undertake agile software development may be particularly challenging, given the inclusive yet fluid nature of teams in this context. We describe here the development and preliminary evaluation of a prototype tool intended to assist software engineers and project managers in forming agile teams, utilizing information concerning members' personalities as input to this process. Initial assessment of the tool's capabilities by agile development practitioners suggests that it would be of value in supporting the team composition activity in real projects.
User experience - a research agenda

Over the last decade, 'user experience' (UX) became a buzzword in the field of human - computer interaction (HCI) and interaction design. As technology matured, interactive products became not only more useful and usable, but also fashionable, fascinating things to desire. Driven by the impression that a narrow focus on interactive products as tools does not capture the variety and emerging aspects of technology use, practitioners and researchers alike, seem to readily embrace the notion of UX as a viable alternative to traditional HCI. And, indeed, the term promises change and a fresh look, without being too specific about its definite meaning. The present introduction to the special issue on 'Empirical studies of the user experience' attempts to give a provisional answer to the question of what is meant by 'the user experience'. It provides a cursory sketch of UX and how we think UX research will look like in the future. It is not so much meant as a forecast of the future, but as a proposal - a stimulus for further UX research.
An Ex-vivo Shear and tensile bond strengths of orthodontic molar tubes bonded using different techniques

Background Molar bonding procedures need continuous improvement to be widely accepted clinically and eventually replace molar bands. Material and Methods The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of enamel micro-abrasion and silane coating of the base of molar tubes on shear and tensile bond strengths of orthodontic molar tubes. A total of 200 third molars were randomly allocated into five groups of 40 teeth as follows: group 1: molar tubes bonded to etched teeth (37% phosphoric acid gel; control group); group 2: molar tubes bonded to etched teeth (37% phosphoric acid) with the addition of silane to the base of molar tubes; group 3: molar tubes bonded to teeth pre-treated with 18% hydrochloric acid and pumice (micro-abrasion); group 4: molar tubes bonded to teeth pre-treated with microabrasion with the addition of silane to the base of molar tubes; group 5: molar tubes bonded to teeth pre-treated with microabrasion before conventional acid etching combined with the addition of silane to the base of molar tubes. The bond strength testing was performed using a computer control electromechanical universal testing machine. Results The highest mean shear and tensile bond strengths were recorded in group 5 (13.81±2.54MPa and 13.97±2.29 MPa, respectively). Micro-abrasion alone (group 3) and the combination of enamel micro-abrasion and the addition of silane (group 4) produced bond strength values comparable to the control. Conclusions Enamel surface pre-treatment (micro abrasion) before conventional acid etching combined with the addition of silane to the base of the molar tube produced the highest bond strengths among all tested groups. Key words:Molar, shear strength, tensile strength, orthodontic appliances.
Recruitment of the protein tyrosine phosphatase CSW by DOS is an essential step during signaling by the Sevenless receptor tyrosine kinase

The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain‐containing protein Daughter of Sevenless (DOS) is an essential component of the Sevenless receptor tyrosine kinase (SEV) signaling cascade, which specifies R7 photoreceptor development in the Drosophila eye. Previous results have suggested that DOS becomes tyrosine phosphorylated during SEV signaling and collaborates with the protein tyrosine phosphatase CSW. We have investigated this possibility by identifying tyrosine residues 801 and 854 of DOS as the phosphorylated binding sites for the CSW SH2 domains. We show that these sites become phosphorylated in response to SEV activation and that phosphorylation of both sites is required to allow CSW to bind DOS. Mutant DOS proteins in which either Y801 or Y854 of DOS has been changed to phenylalanine are unable to function during signaling by SEV and other receptor tyrosine kinases. In contrast, we find that a mutant DOS protein in which all tyrosine phosphorylation sites except Y801 and Y854 have been removed is able effectively to provide DOS function during SEV signaling and to rescue the lethality associated with dos loss‐of‐function mutations. These results indicate that a primary role for DOS during signaling by SEV and other receptor tyrosine kinases is to become phosphorylated at Y801 and Y854 and then recruit CSW.
Art Therapy: A Transdisciplinary Approach

Abstract Historically, art therapy has struggled to clearly define itself as a profession while simultaneously embracing the range of perspectives and knowledge that contribute to clinical practices. In this brief report the author suggests that by shifting the conceptualization of the field from “interdisciplinary” to “transdisciplinary,” art therapists will find clarity and strength without needing a new definition or ways of practicing. When examined from a transdisciplinary perspective, the definition of art therapy is not limited by conceptual perspectives or compartmentalized by theoretical approaches. A transdisciplinary perspective embraces diversity, flexibility, and innovation while offering a sense of autonomy, inclusion, and collaboration for the field. This report outlines the characteristics of a transdisciplinary perspective and demonstrates that when we look through a transdisciplinary lens, art therapy—as it stands today—is a well-defined and vibrant field.
Interactive topography simulation sandbox for geography learning course

Recently, there are huge number of researches focusing on development of teaching tools to enhance learning result. However, for some courses, they require a novel system to enhance learning environment. This research focuses on geography course in the use of color and contour lines in height differentiation according to altitude terrain. We implement an augmented reality sandbox to be an interaction terrain simulation learning aid by using sandbox, which show the elevation tint and contour line precisely and correctly based on the geography principle. When a user manipulate the height of sand in the box, the system will calculate the color and contour line that respect to the sand automatically. This system allows teacher to have interaction with student to decrease quantitative, but increase qualitative teaching. We conducted a pilot study with several high school students which gave us a good feedback and experimental results. Such results are also shown in this paper to demonstrate our achievement.
Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin subunit B fusions with Streptococcus sobrinus antigens expressed by Salmonella typhimurium oral vaccine strains: importance of the linker for antigenicity and biological activities of the hybrid proteins

A set of vectors possessing the genes for aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (asd) and the B subunit of the heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli (LT-B) has been developed. These vectors allow operon or gene fusions of foreign gene epitopes at the C-terminal end of LT-B. Two groups of vectors have been constructed with and without leader sequences to facilitate placing of the foreign antigen in different cell compartments. Two Streptococcus sobrinus genes coding for principal colonization factors, surface protein antigen A (SpaA), and dextranase (Dex), have been fused into the 3' end of the LT-B gene. Resulting protein fusions of approximately 120 to 130 kDa are extremely well recognized by antibodies directed against both SpaA and Dex as well as against LT-B domains and retain the enzymatic activity of dextranase and the biological activity of LT-B in that they bind to GM1 gangliosides. Maximum antigenicity was obtained with the vector possessing an intervening linker of at least six amino acids with two proline residues. Some of the fusion proteins also exhibited another property of LT-B in that they were exported into the periplasm where they oligomerized. LT-B-SpaA and LT-B-Dex hybrid proteins are expressed stably and at a high level in avirulent Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strains which are being used to investigate their immunogenicity and types of induced immune responses. The fusion vectors will also be useful for production and purification of LT-B fusion antigens to be used and evaluated in other vaccine compositions.
Subjective evaluation of packet service performance in UMTS and heterogeneous networks

Quality of Service in mobile telecommunication systems is usually identified by some basic performance metrics such as delay, throughput and jitter. However, the main impact of service quality is on the end user, and as such a detailed study of service performance should involve the end user. In this paper, such an approach is taken where subjective performance evaluation is undertaken for web browsing and video streaming services in Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) and a heterogeneous network comprised of UMTS and Wireless LAN (WLAN)Using a real-time network emulation testbed, users rated the perceived quality of the services under different network conditions. The users' ratings are analyzed and the results showed clear trends with very few outliers. The objective and subjective measures also were found to be in line except for one case where a higher layer effect influenced the users' perception.
Effective Use of Magnetization Data in the Design of Electric Machines With Overfluxed Regions

Electric machines often have overfluxed regions that carry large magnetic fields that are beyond the maximum value for which magnetization data are available. These fields are close to magnetic saturation, so extrapolation to saturation is required to accurately map the overfluxed regions. However, the extrapolation methods used in most magnetic field software do not consider the physics of saturation, so they are known to cause significant errors. The simultaneous exponential extrapolation procedure presented herein incorporates the physics of saturation. It essentially converts the extrapolation problem into an interpolation problem by forcing it to pass through a point close to saturation, thereby minimizing errors. This paper also discusses potential hidden noise in the measured data that can cause numerical instability. It outlines a graphical procedure to remove such hidden noise to facilitate faster convergence. These extrapolation to saturation and the hidden-noise elimination procedures facilitate more accurate mapping of the overfluxed regions and allow a better assessment of their impact of such regions on the performance of electric machines.
The evolution and analysis of action switching in embodied agents

The dynamical systems approach in the cognitive and behavioral sciences studies how systems made of many coupled components across brain, body, and environment self-organize to generate behavior. This approach has mostly focused on models of single actions and has not addressed how a dynamical system can engage in multiple different directed actions. In this paper, we introduce a family of artificial life models that demonstrate how dynamical agents can engage in multiple different actions and autonomously switch between them. These described agents engage in a food foraging task, and are driven by both internal, metabolic variables and external, sensory variables. The analysis of one of these agents demonstrates how different actions can arise through transient modes of sensorimotor coordination, in which a subset of the available sensors and effectors become engaged while others are ignored. Transitions between actions are analyzed and shown to correspond to rapid movements through the agent’s state space. In these transitions, some of the previously controlling sensors and effectors disengage, and new sets of sensors and effectors are engaged.