Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Resource Allocation Problem in a Random Environment

We consider a resource allocation problem in which various parameters of the model change according to independent random environment Markov processes. There are a finite number of activities that each require a resource, and resources arrive according to a Poisson process. Both activities and resources have values associated with them and the return from allocating a resource to an activity is the product of the activity value and the resource value. Activity values are known ahead of time but the values of resources are independent random variables from a common distribution and are known only after the arrival of the resource. We wish to assign arriving resources to available activities so as to maximize our total expected return. It is assumed that either there is a single random deadline for all activities, which is the same as discounting the returns, or the activities have independent random deadlines. The model has applications to processor scheduling, selling of assets, and kidney allocation for transplant. We consider the effects on the structure of the optimal policy of allowing parameters to be determined by independent Markov processes. In particular, we permit the resource arrival rate, the activity values, the deadline rates, and the variability of the resource distribution to change. We give conditions under which the total optimal expected return is monotone in the states of the Markov processes. We also show that the total optimal return is increasing and convex in the activity values, decreasing and convex in the deadline rates, and increasing if the variability of the distribution of resource values is increasing.
Fuzzy inference modeling method based on T-S fuzzy system

A kind of fuzzy inference modeling method based on T-S fuzzy system is proposed. New input-output models and state-space models are constructed respectively by applying this method to time-invariant second-order freedom movement systems modeling. The obtained differential equation models are used to simulate the second-order equations, and the results show that the models achieve a good approximation precision.
A novel precoding scheme for downlink multi-user spatial modulation system

Spatial Modulation is a newly developed concept for multi-antenna systems, which could greatly reduce the signal processing complexity and hardware implementation burden faced by these systems today. To improve the spectral efficiency of spatial modulation system, a novel precoding scheme for downlink multi-user system is proposed in this paper. The precoding scheme not only cancels the inter-user interference, but also preserves the information embedded both in constellation symbols as well as in transmit antenna indexes, decomposing the system into independent single-user spatial modulation systems. Simulation results show that with a high transmission rate, the proposed scheme offers a smaller bit error rate than multi-user Zero Forcing precoding in practical SNR region. With the same base station antenna number and single-antenna user number, it also outperforms Zero Forcing precoding in terms of achievable sum rate. Furthermore, systems using our scheme could achieve a multi-user gain over single-user spatial modulation system.
Effects of crop residue cover and architecture on heat and water transfer at the soil surface

Different residue types and standing stubble versus distributed flat residues affect heat and water transfer at the soil surface to varying degrees. Understanding the effects of various residue configurations can assist in better residue management decisions, but this is complex due to various interacting influences. Therefore, modeling the effects of crop residues on heat and water movement can be an effective tool to assess the benefits of differing residues types and architectures for various climates. The purpose of this study was to test the ability of the Simultaneous Heat And Water (SHAW) model for simulating the effects of residue type and architecture on heat and water transfer at the surface and to evaluate the impacts of differing residue types and architectures on heat and water transfer in significantly different climates. The model was tested on bare tilled soils and corn, wheat and millet residues having varying amounts of standing and distributed flat residues for three separate locations: Ames, IA, Akron, CO and Pullman, WA. Modifications to the model were necessary to correctly simulate the effect of wind on convective transfer through a flat corn residue layer. Model efficiencies for simulated soil temperature approached or exceeded 0.90 for nearly all residue treatments and locations. The root mean square deviation for simulated water content compared to measured values was typically around 0.04 m m . Satisfied that the model could reasonably simulate the effect of residue type and architecture, the model was applied to simulate the effects of differing residue architectures to 30 years of generated weather conditions for four diverse climate stations: Boise, ID; Spokane, WA; Des Moines, IA; Minneapolis, MN. Simulated frost depths for bare and standing residues were typically deeper than for flat residues. Bare soil had the highest evaporation at all sites, and flat wheat residue generally had the lowest evaporation. The wetter climates (Des Moines and Minneapolis) tended to favor flat residues for reducing evaporation more so than the drier climates. Near-surface soil temperature under standing residues warmed to 5 jC in the spring by as much as 5–9 days earlier compared to bare and flat residue cover depending 0016-7061/03/$ see front matter D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0016-7061(03)00102-2 * Corresponding author. Tel. : +1-208-422-0716; fax: +1-208-334-1502. E-mail address: gflerchi@nwrc.ars. usda.gov (G.N. Flerchinger). G.N. Flerchinger et al. / Geoderma 116 (2003) 217–233 218 on location, which can have important ramifications for early seedling germination and plant establishment. D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Bringing data analytics to the network nodes for efficient traffic anomalies detection

Traffic anomalies can create network congestion, so its prompt and accurate detection would allow network operators to make decisions to guarantee the network performance avoiding services to experience any perturbation. In this paper, we focus on origin-destination (OD) traffic anomalies; to efficiently detect those, we study two different anomaly detection methods based on data analytics and combine them with three monitoring strategies. In view of the short monitoring period needed to reduce anomaly detection, which entails large amount of monitoring data to be collected and analyzed in a centralized repository, we propose bringing data analytics to the network nodes to efficiently detect traffic anomalies, while keeping traffic estimation centralized. Exhaustive simulation results on a realistic network scenario show that the monitoring period should be as low as possible (e.g., 1 min) to keep anomaly detection times low, which clearly motivates to place traffic anomaly detection function in the network nodes.
Addition of N-terminal peptide sequences activates the oncogenic and signaling potentials of the catalytic subunit p110α of phosphoinositide-3-kinase

Addition of short (6 to 16 amino acids) peptide sequences to the N-terminus of p110α induces a gain of function. Such sequences include the common Flag, His, and VSV tags as well as random sequences. An N-terminal myristylation signal generally believed to activate p110α by providing a constitutive membrane address is also activating, if myristylation is mutationally abolished. The gain of function seen with N-terminally tagged (NTT) p110α constructs extends to signaling, oncogenic transformation and stimulation of cell growth. The activating effect of N-terminal tags requires a functional Ras-binding domain in p110α. Mutations in that domain (T208D and K227A) abolish the gains of function in oncogenicity and signaling. The dominant negative mutant of Ras, RasN17, interferes with transformation induced by NTT p110α. In contrast, binding to p85 activity is not required for cellular transformation and enhanced signaling by NTT p110α.
Ductus venosus Blood Flow Velocity Waveforms as a Predictor for Fetal Outcome in Isolated Congenital Heart Disease

Objective: To investigate whether pulsatility of ductus venosus (DV) flow velocity waveforms is of diagnostic value in predicting survival in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: In a cross-sectional study, Doppler investigation of DV and umbilical artery blood flow was performed in 58 fetuses with isolated structural CHD, without other sonographically detectable structural or chromosomal abnormalities or tachyarrhythmia. The pulsatility index for veins of DV (DV-PIV) waveforms was expressed as multiples of the 95th centile (Mo95th) of the reference ranges for gestational age. The PIV was related to intrauterine and neonatal mortality within the first 6 months of life. Terminations of pregnancies and neonates with additional abnormalities detected after birth were excluded from statistical analysis. For statistical analysis, the different types of heart defects were separated into atrial and/or ventricular (AV) septal defects, right or left ventricular in- and outflow tract abnormalities and others. Results: After exclusion of 9 pregnancies (2 cases with failure of measurements of DV-PIV, 2 neonates with additional malformations, and 5 terminations of pregnancies), 49 cases were available for statistical analysis. The umbilical artery pulsatility index was within normal ranges in all but 1 case with AV canal and hydrops. In 7 pregnancies intrauterine fetal deaths occurred and 6 of them were hydropic. The median gestational age at birth for liveborn neonates was 39.0 weeks (range 27.8–41). There were 6 postnatal deaths, all but 1 within 28 days of delivery. The remaining fetuses survived for at least 6 months. The overall mortality rate was 27% (13/49). The DV-PIV was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (median of Mo95th and interquartile ranges 1.48 (1.04–1.95) vs. 0.81 (0.70–1.15); p = 0.01). Analysis of subgroups showed significant differences for AV septal defects and abnormalities affecting predominantly the right ventricle (p = 0.046 and 0.043, respectively). Ten out of 13 non-survivors showed an abnormal DV-PIV (sensitivity 77%) as compared to 12 out of 36 survivors (specificity 67%). All hydropic fetuses (n = 6) showed an abnormal DV-PIV and ended in intrauterine deaths. Conclusions: Evaluation of the DV pulsatility is a useful additional variable for predicting the risk for mortality in fetuses with isolated structural CHD, in particular in fetuses with defects of the AV septum and with defects affecting predominantly right ventricular function. As there is no fetal hydrops without abnormal DV, this is another sign for the association of DV and cardiac failure.
Understanding the role of performance targets in transport policy

The measurement of performance in the public sector has become increasingly important in recent years and it is now commonplace for transport organisations, and local and national governments, to publish performance goals for service supply and quality. Such commitments, when time referenced, are known as targets. This paper explain how changes in management style, consumer rights legislation, contractual obligations and other factors have combined to make management-by targets increasingly common in the public sector. The advantages and disadvantages of management-by-targets are illustrated through discussion of the processes and experience of setting transport targets in UK national transport policy. We conclude that while some of the targets have had a significant impact on policy makers, managers and their agents, the effects have not always been as intended.
Response to “Civil time ≠ biological time: Recent options for empirically testing possible effects of chronodisruption”

Program in Epidemiology, Division of Public Health Sciences, Program in Biostatistics, Division of Public Health Sciences, Cancer Prevention Program, Division of Public Health Sciences, and Genomics Resource, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA, Department of Community Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA, and Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
Multichannel functional testing in normal subjects, glaucoma suspects, and glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE To evaluate visual function with a novel multichannel functional test named the ATD Multichannel Functional Test. METHODS This multicenter study had a prospective and cross-sectional design. A total of 186 eyes were included: 42 with glaucoma, 14 glaucoma suspects due to optic nerve characteristics, 25 ocular hypertensives, and 105 normal eyes. All patients performed standard visual fields (Humphrey 24-2) and ATD with eight stimuli configurations: four achromatic (A), two red-green (T), and two blue-yellow (D). To derive main outcome measures, mean sensitivity, mean defect (MD), and pattern standard deviation (PSD) were calculated and compared among groups and types of stimuli with the Kruskal-Wallis test. The percentage of cases outside normal limits (ONL) was calculated. RESULTS MD and PSD were significantly different in glaucoma eyes than in normal subjects for all types of stimuli except D-0.5 cycles per degree (cpd)/12Hz. PSD was also lower for normals than for all pathologic groups with A-4cpd/2Hz, A-4cpd/12Hz, D-0.5cpd/2Hz, and T-0.5cpd/2Hz. The highest percentage of ONL cases was obtained with the two low-spatial-frequency chromatic stimuli, with D-0.5cpd/2Hz and T-0.5cpd/2Hz using PSD, which classified as ONL 81.6% and 86.7% of glaucoma eyes, 51.8% and 44.5% of hypertensives, and 72.2% and 41.2% of optic disc suspects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS ATD assessed different aspects of visual function, and the most sensitive tests to detect glaucomatous damage were the low-temporal-frequency chromatic tests.
Zoonotic species of the genus Arcobacter in poultry from different regions of Costa Rica.

In recent years, emerging pathogens have received special attention due to their consequences for public health. Given that Arcobacter has been isolated in Costa Rica from commercial meat poultry samples, the aim of this research was to determine its isolation frequency from laying hens, broilers, ducks, and geese and to compare two types of samples, namely, cloacal swabs and stool collection. Arcobacter was isolated from 22 (11%) of the 200 samples examined. Fifteen (55%), eight (30%), and four (15%) of the isolated strains were identified as A. butzleri, A. cryareophilus, and Arcobacter spp. , respectively. Also, there is a statistically significant difference among the isolation frequencies of Arcobacter for the types of samples evaluated, yielding more isolates from stool samples than from cloacal swab collection. This work describes the distribution of Arcobacter in farm animals as potential sources for its spread from animal-derived products.
A new approach to feature selection in text classification

Text classification is the process of automatically assigning predefined categories to free text, which is very important to information retrieval and many other applications. Of it, the first important thing is to effectively represent a text to characterize it as belonging to a specified category based on its content and thus make the following phase of classifier training and using more effective and efficient regarding to the final classification performance. In this paper, an effective and efficient new method called variance-mean based feature filtering method of feature selection to do feature reduction in the representation phase for text classification is proposed. It keeps the best features, and thus improves the final performance, e.g. macro-f1 to 0.92 and simultaneously decreases the computing time for representing the incoming text waiting to be classified dramatically, which is important because it occurs on line and is time-critical. The effectiveness and efficiency are especially obvious when applied to Chinese language text.
Improved Search in Hamming Space using Deep Multi-Index Hashing

Similarity-preserving hashing is a widely-used method for nearest neighbour search in large-scale image retrieval tasks. There has been considerable research on generating efficient image representation via the deep-network-based hashing methods. However, the issue of efficient searching in the deep representation space remains largely unsolved. To this end, we propose a simple yet efficient deep-network-based multi-index hashing method for simultaneously learning the powerful image representation and the efficient searching. To achieve these two goals, we introduce the multi-index hashing (MIH) mechanism into the proposed deep architecture, which divides the binary codes into multiple substrings. Due to the non-uniformly distributed codes will result in inefficiency searching, we add the two balanced constraints at feature-level and instance-level, respectively. Extensive evaluations on several benchmark image retrieval datasets show that the learned balanced binary codes bring dramatic speedups and achieve comparable performance over the existing baselines.
Performance Evaluation of State-of-the-Art Ranked Retrieval Methods and Their Combinations for Query Suggestion

This paper investigates several state-of-the-art ranked retrieval methods, adapts and combines them as well for query suggestion. Four performance criteria plus user evaluation have been adopted to evaluate these query suggestion methods in terms of ranking and relevance from different perspectives. Extensive experiments have been conducted using carefully designed eighty test queries which are related to eight topics. The experimental results show that the method developed in this paper, which combines the TF-IDF and Jaccard coefficient methods, is the best method for query suggestion among the six methods evaluated, outperforming the most popularly used TF-IDF method. Furthermore, it is shown that re-ranking query suggestions using Cosine similarity improves the performance of query suggestions.
Tissue stroma as a regulator of leukocyte recruitment in inflammation

The stromal milieu (cellular and matrix components) helps establish tissue “address‐codes” that direct leukocyte behavior in inflamed tissue. Coordinated interactions among the stroma, leukocytes, and ECs dictate which leukocytes are recruited, whether they are retained within the inflamed site, and how long they survive. Herein, we discuss how the stromal milieu influences the leukocyte recruitment cascade. Moreover, we explore how corruption of the stromal phenotype in chronic inflammatory diseases contributes to undesired, continuous recruitment of leukocytes. Emerging complex, multicellular, multilayered (co‐)culture models are now addressing the molecular circuitry involved in regulating stromal organization during inflammation. Understanding context‐specific changes in pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory agents derived from the stroma, such as IL‐6 (and its cofactors), is important for the generation of therapeutic strategies that restore the balance between recruitment and clearance of the inflammatory infiltrate in chronic disease.
RP-HPLC Method for the Determination of Losartan Potassium and Ramipril in Combined Dosage Form

A simple, specific and accurate reverse phase liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of losartan potassium and ramipril in table dosage forms. A hypersil ODS C18, 4.6×250 mm, 5 μm column in isocratic mode, with mobile phase acetonitrile:methanol:10 mM tetra butyl ammonium hydrogen sulphate in water in the ratio of 30:30:40% v/v/v was used. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and effluent was monitored at 210 nm. The retention times of losartan potassium and ramipril were 4.7 and 3.3 min, respectively. The linearity range for losartan potassium and ramipril were in the range of 0.04-100 μg/ml and 0.2-300 μg/ml, respectively. The proposed method was also validated and successfully applied to the estimation of losartan potassium and ramipril in combined tablet formulations.
PLZT thin-film waveguides.

PLZT thin-film channel waveguides have been successfully formed in ridges by an ion-beam etching process. The electrooptic Kerr coefficients of the waveguides have been newly obtained. We have determined that the electrooptic coefficients R11′ and R12′ were 0.1–0.2 × 10−16 (m/V)2 and 0.01 × 10−16 (m/V)2, respectively, by Mach-Zehnder interferometric measurement. It was confirmed that PLZT channel waveguides were much more efficient than conventional Ti-diffused LiNbO3 waveguides.
Radioimmunoassay of thyrotropin concentrated from serum.

A method for concentrating human TSH (hTSH) from serum for use in RIAs is described. The method takes advantage of the affinity of the plant lectin, concanavalinA, for the carbohydrate portion of the hTSH molecule. The hTSH from 2.5 ml serum was adsorbed to concanavalin A covalently linked to sepharose and then radioimmunoassayed using the hTSH antiserum and hTSH for iodination distributed by the National Pituitary Agency. For the RIA standard curve, the hTSH reference preparation was concentrated from a serum with undetectable hTSH in order to correct for recovery and to control for nonspecific effects. The percentage of serum hTSH extractedfrom 2.5 ml serum with the concentration procedure was 76.6 ± 3.4% (mean ± SD). The coefficient of correlation between serum hTSH, determined with the concentration procedure, and serumhTSH determined without was 0.979 (P <0.001). Over 95% of normal adult men and women had detectable levels of serum hTSH, ranging from <0.56-4. 0μU/ml. The mean of detectable serum hTSH .