Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SensePath: Understanding the Sensemaking Process Through Analytic Provenance

Sensemaking is described as the process of comprehension, finding meaning and gaining insight from information, producing new knowledge and informing further action. Understanding the sensemaking process allows building effective visual analytics tools to make sense of large and complex datasets. Currently, it is often a manual and time-consuming undertaking to comprehend this: researchers collect observation data, transcribe screen capture videos and think-aloud recordings, identify recurring patterns, and eventually abstract the sensemaking process into a general model. In this paper, we propose a general approach to facilitate such a qualitative analysis process, and introduce a prototype, SensePath, to demonstrate the application of this approach with a focus on browser-based online sensemaking. The approach is based on a study of a number of qualitative research sessions including observations of users performing sensemaking tasks and post hoc analyses to uncover their sensemaking processes. Based on the study results and a follow-up participatory design session with HCI researchers, we decided to focus on the transcription and coding stages of thematic analysis. SensePath automatically captures user's sensemaking actions, i.e., analytic provenance, and provides multi-linked views to support their further analysis. A number of other requirements elicited from the design session are also implemented in SensePath, such as easy integration with existing qualitative analysis workflow and non-intrusive for participants. The tool was used by an experienced HCI researcher to analyze two sensemaking sessions. The researcher found the tool intuitive and considerably reduced analysis time, allowing better understanding of the sensemaking process.
Distributed Shared Memory as an Approach for Integrating WSNs and Cloud Computing

In this paper we discuss the idea of combining wireless sensor networks and cloud computing starting with a state of the art analysis of existing approaches in this field. As result of the analysis we propose to reflect a real wireless sensor network by virtual sensors in the cloud. The main idea is to replicate data stored on the real sensor nodes also in the virtual sensors, without explicit triggering such updates from the application. We provide a short overview of the resulting architecture before explaining mechanisms to realize it. The means to ensure a certain level of consistency between the real WSN and the virtual sensors in the cloud is distributed shared memory. In order to realize DSM in WSNs we have developed a middleware named tinyDSM which is shortly introduced here and which provides means for replicating sensor data and ensuring the consistency of the replicates. Even though tinyDSM is a pretty good vehicle to realize our idea there are some open issues that need to be addressed when realizing such an architecture. We discuss these challenges in an abstract way to ensure clear separation between the idea and its specific realization.
Approach Model of Speech Production Using Helmholtz Resonator and Wave Equation

The vocal cords are used to produce sounds, these sounds are called voice. The vocal tract acts as a cavity resonator with forming regions where the sounds produced are filtered. According to the constitution of the respiratory human apparatus, the larynx and the vocal cords and, our voice have a personal and unique timbre. In this paper the vocal tract is modeled using Helmholtz resonator that is excited by a source (the vocal cords) that is represented by vibrating strings using the wave equation, lumped element modeling is used to describe the Helmholtz resonators in an equivalent circuit model, and finally we will obtain the transfer equation of the model of voice production.
Demographic Predictors of Sexual Risk Susceptibility among Undergraduates in Two Universities in Nigeria

1. Purpose : This study investigated gender, religious affiliation, institution of learning and academic level as factors predicting sexual risk susceptibility among university undergraduates drawn from two Univer - sities in South-Western Nigeria. 2. Methods : Using an ex-post facto survey research design and random sampling methods, a total of 320 participants were selected for the study. 118 (36.9%) were male, 202 (63.1%) were female. Validated scale was used for data collection. Four hypotheses were stated, two of which were analyzed using t-test of independent means, while the remaining two were analyzed using a univariate analysis of variance.
Case 1 : galectin-3 and the risk of future heart failure

Heart failure is a complex mechanical and neurohormonal syndrome where the left ventricle fails as a pump, resulting in stasis of blood in the lungs and the periphery resulting in the cardial features of effort intolerance, fatigue, and peripheral edema. As part of the neurohormonal and local mechanical strain, tissue macrophages resident in the myocardium secrete galectin-3 which is a paracrine and endocrine factor which stimulates additional macrophages, pericytes, myofibroblasts, and fibroblasts to proliferate and secrete procollagen I which is irreversibly crosslinked resulting in myocardial fibrosis. In the general population, normal plasma concentrations of galectin-3 are < 11.0 ng/mL. Galectin-3 measured in blood has been shown to: 1) identify increased risk for new onset heart failure in healthy middle-aged adults; 2) predict cardiac failure in patients after acute coronary syndromes; 3) help establish the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients presenting with exercise intolerance; and 4) aid in the prognosis of heart failure with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. This manuscript will present practical real case management in these applications to highlight the importance of this new in vitro diagnostic test.
Social, Psychological, and Environmental-Structural Factors Associated with Tobacco Experimentation among Adolescents in Shanghai, China

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and social, psychological and environmental-structural determinants of tobacco experimentation among adolescents in Shanghai, China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on a two-stage cluster sample design by using the Chinese version of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) to investigate smoking behavior among 19,117 students from 41 junior and senior high schools in Shanghai, China. The association between potential factors and tobacco experimentation were assessed using complex samples procedure logistic regression. Results: Of the 19,117 respondents, 10.5% (15.3% boys and 6.2% girls) reported the tobacco experimentation. The main social, psychological, and environmental-structural factors associated with tobacco experimentation were having close friends who smoke (AOR = 8.21; 95% CI: 6.49–10.39); one or both parents smoking (AOR 1.57; CI: 1.39–1.77); a poor school tobacco control environment (AOR 1.53; CI: 1.37–1.83); a high acceptance level of tobacco use (AOR 1.44; CI: 1.28–1.82); and a high level of media tobacco exposure (AOR 1.23; CI: 1.10–1.37). Peer smoking might contribute to smoking experimentation among girls (AOR 8.93; CI: 5.84–13.66) more so than among boys (AOR 7.79; CI: 5.97–9.94) and media tobacco exposure had no association with tobacco experimentation among female students. Conclusions: Social, psychological, and environmental factors are closely associated with tobacco experimentation among adolescents. Prevention programs aimed at reducing teen tobacco experimentation should be conducted at home and school with support by parents, peers and teachers. Our findings should prove useful for future development of intervention strategies among adolescents in Shanghai, China.
Verbal irony use in personal blogs

Blogs are a widely growing form of computer-mediated communication used to achieve various personal and professional communicative goals. In the present study, we examined previously posted entries from 71 regular bloggers. We examined the blogs for the use of five forms of verbal irony: hyperbole, understatement, rhetorical question, sarcasm and jocularity. In addition, topic and emotional valence of the ironic utterances were examined. Results showed that hyperbole and understatement were more frequently used than the other forms of ironic language. Discussion of hobbies and social outings was the most commonly occurring topic of ironic language, and bloggers used verbal irony to convey both positive and negative intent. The results of this study demonstrated that adult bloggers do use a variety of forms of verbal irony in their personal blogs, despite the potential risk of being misunderstood.
SAMO: store aware memory optimizations

Cache optimizations and DRAM scheduling play an important role in determining the performance of a system given that the demand for memory is ever increasing. In this paper we track stores both at cache and main memory and apply three different optimizations, one, at the cache level, so that stores are serviced faster and hence load store queue block cycles are reduced, two, at the miss handling architecture wherein we remove entries containing only store requests thereby reducing the cache stall cycles and three, at the main memory where stores are serviced with lesser priority so that actual reads get serviced faster. These three different memory optimizations combined together (store aware memory optimization, SAMO framework) on an average increase the performance of the system and can be augmented with any previously proposed optimization techniques at the memory. SAMO speeds-up the workloads on 4- and 8-core systems by a geometric mean of 5.0% and 7.4%, respectively, with a maximum speed-up of 21.9% and 17.8% on 4- and 8-core systems, respectively.
Pitch modelling for the Nguni languages

Although the complexity of prosody is widely recognised, the lack of widely-accepted descriptive standards for prosodic phenomena has meant that prosodic systems for most of the languages of the world have, at best, been described in impressionistic rule-based terms. For the languages of Southern Africa, the deficiencies in our modelling capabilities are acute. Little work of a quantitative nature has been published for the languages of the Nguni family (such as isiZulu and isiXhosa), and there are significant contradictions and imprecisions in the literature on this topic, which partially stems from the lack of quantitative, measurement-driven analysis. This paper therefore embarks on a programme aimed at understanding the relationship between linguistic and physical variables of a prosodic nature in this family of languages. Firstly we undertake a set of experiments to select an appropriate pitch tracking algorithm for the the Nguni family of languages. We then use this pitch tracking algorithm to extract relevant data from speech recordings to build intonation corpora for isiZulu and isiXhosa. Using the extracted data in the intonation corpus, we show that it is possible to develop fairly accurate intonation models using a neural network classifier for isiZulu and isiXhosa.
A Pharmacokinetic Dosing Method for Oral Theophylline in Pediatric Patients

Requirements for regular-release oral theophylline were determined in 34 pediatric patients aged 0.25–14.8 years using orally derived pharmacokinetic data and the first-order absorption equation. Large ranges were found in the half-life (2.3–21.3 h) and calculated apparent volume of distribution (Vd) (0.300–1.54 L/kg). Mean serum theophylline concentration was more closely correlated with actual mean concentration (r = 0.61, p < 0.0002) when calculated with the individual patients' Vd values than with the standard Vd of 0.5 L/kg (r = 0.31, NS), and predictions obtained with the individuals' Vd values were more precise (p < 0.05) and less biased than those obtained with the standard Vd. The precision of prediction based on individual Vd values was quantitatively similar (root mean squared error = 3.38 mg/L) to reported predictions based on pharmacokinetic values derived from an initial intravenous course of aminophylline therapy. We conclude that theophylline dosage requirements can be accurately estimated from orally derived pharmacokinetic data and that the method described may be useful for patients in whom intravenous therapy is not required or contraindicated.
Adaptation to displaced and delayed visual feedback from the hand.

S viewed an oscilloscope trace of a short bar which appeared at the position of his nonvisible right hand. The motion of the trace was equivalent to the movements of the hand, which were restricted to a frontal plane. The bar could be optically displaced by 20 diopter prisms, either to the left or right, and its motion could be made to lag behind that of the hand by 1 of 6 delay intervals ranging from 0.0 to 3.0 sec. Results show that the adaptation to displacement found with no delay is completely eliminated under all delay intervals, including the minimum of 0.3 sec.
Placing Our Assumptions at Risk: Pathway to Changing the Culture of the Community College

Changing the culture of the community college is central in the journey to become learning institutions. The culture of an organization is made up of the assumptions held by its members, and some of these have to change if the necessary transformation is to occur. Recent research on change suggests this can best be achieved if the people in the organization deepen their ability to surface, suspend, and evaluate their present assumptions. A Curriculum Guide for Professional Development, included in the article, describes steps community college educators can take in this process.
Suggestibility, Dissociation and Positive Schizotypy

94 participants, drawn from a parent sample of 1206 individuals who had previously taken part in an assessment of the factor structure of Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE), were designated into groups differentiated in terms of low, moderate or high levels of positive schizotypy. All also completed the dissociative experiences scales (DES) and the Inventory of Suggestibility (IoS). Our findings suggest that higher reported levels of dissociative experiences and higher suggestibility both independently predict higher scores of positive schizotypy, although suggestibility appears to be a stronger predictor than dissociation
On Realistic Target Coverage by Autonomous Drones

Low-cost mini-drones with advanced sensing and maneuverability enable a new class of intelligent sensing systems. To achieve the full potential of such drones, it is necessary to develop new enhanced formulations of both common and emerging sensing scenarios. Namely, several fundamental challenges in visual sensing are yet to be solved including (1) fitting sizable targets in camera frames; (2) positioning cameras at effective viewpoints matching target poses; and (3) accounting for occlusion by elements in the environment, including other targets. In this article, we introduce Argus, an autonomous system that utilizes drones to collect target information incrementally through a two-tier architecture. To tackle the stated challenges, Argus employs a novel geometric model that captures both target shapes and coverage constraints. Recognizing drones as the scarcest resource, Argus aims to minimize the number of drones required to cover a set of targets. We prove this problem is NP-hard, and even hard to approximate, before deriving a best-possible approximation algorithm along with a competitive sampling heuristic which runs up to 100× faster according to large-scale simulations. To test Argus in action, we demonstrate and analyze its performance on a prototype implementation. Finally, we present a number of extensions to accommodate more application requirements and highlight some open problems.
Prediction of Intrinsic Disorder in MERS-CoV/HCoV-EMC Supports a High Oral-Fecal Transmission

A novel coronavirus, MERS-CoV (NCoV, HCoV-EMC/2012), originating from the Middle-East, has been discovered. Incoming data reveal that the virus is highly virulent to humans. A model that categorizes coronaviuses according to the hardness of their shells was developed before the discovery of MERS-CoV. Using protein intrinsic disorder prediction, coronaviruses were categorized into three groups that can be linked to the levels of oral-fecal and respiratory transmission regardless of genetic proximity. Using this model, MERS-CoV is placed into disorder group C, which consists of coronaviruses that have relatively hard inner and outer shells. The members of this group are likely to persist in the environment for a longer period of time and possess the highest oral-fecal components but relatively low respiratory transmission components. Oral-urine and saliva transmission are also highly possible since both require harder protective shells. Results show that disorder prediction can be used as a tool that suggests clues to look for in further epidemiological investigations.
A fast corner detector for fuzzy mineshaft images based on dual-threshold

We proposed a fast corner detection algorithm based on dual-threshold, which can detect the corners efficiently in real-time for the fuzzy and uneven brightness mineshaft video images. First, the detector recognizes the flat region and corner region according to four pixels in four directions around the detected pixel, and only detects the corner region to reduce the time consuming. Second, the detector marks the background and the foreground of the corner region, and then uses the separate threshold to compute the similar segment of corners (SSC). Finally, the number of the continuous pixels of the SSC is used to detect the true corners. Experiment results show that the present algorithm performs well on the fuzzy and uneven brightness mineshaft images.
An in vitro model of granuloma-like cell aggregates substantiates early host immune responses against Mycobacterium massiliense infection

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium massiliense (M. mass), belonging to the M. abscessus complex, is a rapidly growing mycobacterium that is known to cause tuberculous-like lesions in humans. To better understand the interaction between host cells and M. mass, we used a recently developed in vitro model of early granuloma-like cell aggregates composed of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs formed granuloma-like, small and rounded cell aggregates when infected by live M. mass. Microscopic examination showed monocytes and macrophages surrounded by lymphocytes, which resembled cell aggregation induced by M. tuberculosis (M. tb). M. mass-infected PBMCs exhibited higher expression levels of HLA-DR, CD86 and CD80 on macrophages, and a significant decrease in the populations of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Interestingly, low doses of M. mass were sufficient to infect PBMCs, while active host cell death was gradually induced with highly increased bacterial loads, reflecting host destruction and dissemination of virulent rapid-growing mycobacteria (RGM). Collectively, this in vitro model of M. mass infection improves our understanding of the interplay of host immune cells with mycobacteria, and may be useful for developing therapeutics to control bacterial pathogenesis. Summary: An in vitro model of granuloma-like cell aggregates infected with Mycobacterium massiliense improves our understanding of the interplay of host immune cells with mycobacteria.
An Analysis of Congruence Gaps and Their Effect on Distributed Software Development

Software projects are frequently distributed across multiple sites. While this practice takes advantage of local expertise and differential cost structures, there is a hidden coordination cost. Modularity and even agile methods have had mixed success in addressing distributed development. Recent studies on congruence provide a new way to understand coordination on software projects. We used a variation of congruence that focuses on gaps in communication to examine coordination in distributed development teams. Using archival data from a distributed software project we found that an increase in the number of gaps was associated with an increase in code changes. We also found that distributed pairs of developers had more gaps than collocated pairs. However, brokers, who communicated with people across multiple sites, had significantly fewer gaps than other developers. We discuss the implications of these findings in terms of opportunities to close gaps.
Simulating Crop Evapotranspiration Response under Different Planting Scenarios by Modified SWAT Model in an Irrigation District, Northwest China

Modelling crop evapotranspiration (ET) response to different planting scenarios in an irrigation district plays a significant role in optimizing crop planting patterns, resolving agricultural water scarcity and facilitating the sustainable use of water resources. In this study, the SWAT model was improved by transforming the evapotranspiration module. Then, the improved model was applied in Qingyuan Irrigation District of northwest China as a case study. Land use, soil, meteorology, irrigation scheduling and crop coefficient were considered as input data, and the irrigation district was divided into subdivisions based on the DEM and local canal systems. On the basis of model calibration and verification, the improved model showed better simulation efficiency than did the original model. Therefore, the improved model was used to simulate the crop evapotranspiration response under different planting scenarios in the irrigation district. Results indicated that crop evapotranspiration decreased by 2.94% and 6.01% under the scenarios of reducing the planting proportion of spring wheat (scenario 1) and summer maize (scenario 2) by keeping the total cultivated area unchanged. However, the total net output values presented an opposite trend under different scenarios. The values decreased by 3.28% under scenario 1, while it increased by 7.79% under scenario 2, compared with the current situation. This study presents a novel method to estimate crop evapotranspiration response under different planting scenarios using the SWAT model, and makes recommendations for strategic agricultural water management planning for the rational utilization of water resources and development of local economy by studying the impact of planting scenario changes on crop evapotranspiration and output values in the irrigation district of northwest China.