Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Packing multiway cuts in capacitated graphs

We consider the following "multiway cut packing" problem in undirected graphs: given a graph G = (V, E) and k commodities, each corresponding to a set of terminals located at different vertices in the graph, our goal is to produce a collection of cuts {E1, . , Ek} such that Ei is a multiway cut for commodity i and the maximum load on any edge is minimized. The load on an edge is defined to be the number of cuts in the solution containing the edge. In the capacitated version of the problem the goal is to minimize the maximum relative load on any edge---the ratio of the edge's load to its capacity. Multiway cut packing arises in the context of graph labeling problems where we are given a partial labeling of a set of items and a neighborhood structure over them, and the goal, informally stated, is to complete the labeling in the most consistent way. This problem was introduced by Rabani, Schulman, and Swamy (SODA'08), who developed an O(log n/log log n) approximation for it in general graphs, as well as an improved O(log2 k) approximation in trees. Here n is the number of nodes in the graph. We present the first constant factor approximation for this problem in arbitrary undirected graphs. Our LP-rounding-based algorithm guarantees a maximum edge load of at most 8OPT + 4 in general graphs. Our approach is based on the observation that every instance of the problem admits a laminar solution (that is, no pair of cuts in the solution crosses) that is near-optimal.
Isoniazid resistance and death in patients with tuberculous meningitis: retrospective cohort study

Objective To determine whether initial isoniazid resistance is associated with death during the treatment of tuberculous meningitis. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting National Tuberculosis Surveillance System at the Centers for Disease Control in the United States. Participants Patients with a clinical diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis, reported to the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 2005. Main outcome measure All cause mortality during antituberculous treatment. Results Between 1993 and 2005, 1896 patients had a clinical diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis and positive cultures from any site. In 123 (6%) of these patients, isoniazid resistance was present on initial susceptibility testing. The unadjusted association between initial isoniazid resistance and subsequent death among these 1896 patients did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval 0.94 to 2.02). However, among 1614 patients with positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures, a significant unadjusted association was found between initial isoniazid resistance and subsequent death (odds ratio 1.61, 1.08 to 2.40). This association increased after adjustment for age, race, sex, and HIV status (odds ratio 2.07, 1.30 to 3.29). Conclusions Isoniazid resistance on initial susceptibility testing was associated with subsequent death among cases of tuberculous meningitis with positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Randomised controlled trials are needed to evaluate the optimal empirical regimen for treating patients with tuberculous meningitis who are at high risk for both initial isoniazid resistance and poor clinical outcomes.
Integration of software tools in developing a multiple criteria support system on a personal computer

Multiple Criteria Decision Support Systems are a special cross betueen optimization systems and Decision Support Systems (DSS). Optimization systems produce a single, ‘best’ solution to a given problem while Decision Support Systems offer alternative scenarios for consideration of a decision maker. However, Multiple Criteria Decision Support Systems (MCDSS) combine the features of both: the problems are solved by optimization techniques, but due to their multiple criteria nature, they generate a set of solutions, rather than a single, optimal solution; and they provide the flexibility of a Decision Support System CDSS) by offering alternative solutions within the solution set for the decision maker’s consideration. In HCDSS, the definition of optimal becomes a decision that maximizes a decision maker’s utility for satisfaction (tionts, 1987). Multiple criteria decision support systems CMCDSS) require the same types of software support as do traditional decision support systems: a method of managing problem data; a method of solving the problem; a method of interacting with the decision maker; and a method of displaying results. But, in addition, HCDSSs require one or more optimization techniques for solving the particular problem, plus multiple criteria models for generating a candidate solution or a set of candidate solutions. In some systems, the user specifies the optimization techniques to use for solving the problem, uhile in others, the models and solution techniques may be prespecified. In this paper a general HCDSS design architecture is proposed which describes the main modules of a MCDSS and their inter-relationship. A prototype model uhich was on a microcomputer using the architecture is described. The WCDSS, called Compromise Programing Decision Support System CCPDSS), was written in FORTRAN interfaced with R:Base 5000 relational data base system, R:Base PI program interface subroutine package, and IBM Graphics Development Toolkit subroutine package.
A Simulator based on QEMU and SystemC for Robustness Testing of a Networked Linux-based Fire Detection and Alarm System

In this paper, we present a simulation framework based on SystemC and QEMU applied to the robustness testing of the communication layers in the AutroSafe fire alarm system from Autronica Fire and Security. This is a distributed large scale fire detection and alarm system. The system is based on state-of-the-art redundant protocols and embedded Linux operating systems. To achieve good confidence about the correctness and the robustness of the system, a simulation environment is used to run the target software using virtual execution platforms with timing variability. These platform variations allow simulating a range of system conditions, hence several possible interactions among the nodes and the network protocols, to which the application must be resilient. QEMU is used to execute the target software, while accurate models of the network protocols and topologies are provided in a SystemC-based simulation framework called DESYRE. The novel contribution described in this work is the integration of these environments for the simulation of a networked system with control of time execution accuracy and variability, as well as the application to the robustness testing of the industrial application.
An Improved Crossover Operator of Genetic Algorithm

Crossover operation is the main means of Genetic Algorithms, for the lack of crossover operation, from three aspects of crossover operation, systemically proposed one kind of improved Crossover operation of Genetic Algorithms, namely used a kind of new consistent Crossover Operator and determined which two individuals to be paired for crossover based on relevance index, which can enhance the algorithm’s global searching ability; Based on the concentrating degree of fitness, a kind of adaptive crossover probability can guarantee the population will not fall into a local optimal result. Simulation results show that: Compared with the traditional cross-adaptive genetic Algorithms and other adaptive genetic algorithm, the new algorithm’s convergence velocity and global searching ability are improved greatly, the average optimal results and the rate of converging to the optimal results are better.
Lexicon Effects on Chinese Information Retrieval

We investigate the effects of lexicon size and stopwords on Chinese information retrieval using our method of short-word segmentation based on simple language usage rules and statistics. These rules allow us to employ a small lexicon of only 2,175 entries and provide quite admirable retrieval results. It is noticed that accurate segmentation is not essential for good retrieval. Larger lexicons can lead to incremental improvements. The presence of stopwords do not contribute much noise to IR. Their removal risks elimination of crucial words in a query and adversely affect retrieval, especially when the queries are short. Short queries of a few words perform more than 10% worse than paragraph-size queries.
The robust multiple-model adaptive control (RMMAC) method

We propose a novel architecture, RMMAC, which represents a new variant in the class of multiple model adaptive control architectures. The general philosophy of the RMMAC was described in refs. [3] and [4], while extensive simulation evaluations were shown in [3-11]. The RMMAC methodology integrates robust controller synthesis, using the mixed-μ synthesis method, with dynamic hypothesis-testing concepts using explicit robust-performance requirements for the adaptive design.
Active Contours based Object Detection and Extraction using SPF Parameter

paper, we propose a new region-based Active Contour Model (ACM) that employs signed pressure force (SPF) as a level set function. Further, a flood fill algorithm is incorporated along with SPF function for robust object extraction. Signed pressure force (SPF) parameters, is able to control the direction of evolution of the region. The proposed system shares all advantages of the C-V and GAC models. The proposed ACM has an additional advantage i.e. of selective local or global segmentation. Flood Fill framework is employed for retrieving the object upon successful detection in the image. In addition, the computer simulation results show that the proposed system could address object detection within an image and its extraction with highest order of efficiency.
Incentives of Private Equity General Partners from Future Fundraising

Incentives from the explicit fee structure ("two and twenty") of private equity funds understate the actual incentives facing private equity general partners because they ignore the rewards stemming from the effect of current performance on the ability to raise larger funds in the future. We evaluate the importance of these implicit incentives in the context of a learning model in which investors use current performance to update their assessments of a general partner's ability, and, in turn, decide how much capital to allocate to the partners' next fund. Our estimates suggest that implicit incentives from expected future fundraising are about as large as explicit incentives from carried interest in the current fund. This implies that the performance-sensitive component of revenue is about twice as large as suggested by previous estimates based only on explicit fees. Consistent with the model, we find that these implicit incentives are stronger when abilities are more scalable and weaker when current performance is less informative about ability. Overall, the results suggest that implicit incentives from future fundraising have a substantial impact on general partners' welfare and are likely to be an important factor in the success of private equity firms.
Large-signal model of a downstream DC/DC converter for analysis and design of front-end PFC rectifier using computer simulation

For large-signal analysis and design of power supply system with multiple converters, the simulation speed becomes much critical when simulation is employed as virtual prototyping approach. Previously published models for downstream DC/DC converters at the power semiconductor switch level or even the power stage level can hardly meet this requirement. This paper proposes a model that can accurately emulate the input characteristics of downstream DC/DC converters under low frequency small-signal situation or large-signal process. The model is very simple, which makes simulation very fast, therefore can greatly facilitate the design and verification of front-end PFC voltage loop compensator, and the analysis and design of many PFC transient issues in distributed power systems.
Tropical Cyclone Atmospheric Forcing for Ocean Response Models : Approaches and Issues

The specification of tropical cyclone atmospheric forcing for ocean response models is described with emphasis on methods that are currently actively applied in basins rich in insitu, airborne and remotely sensed meteorological data. We emphasize approaches and critical issues addressed in more detail in this workshop’s special session on Tropical Meteorology. Five alternative wind fields developed for Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Katrina (2005) are applied with a third generation wave model to highlight the sensitivity of predictions of integrated properties of the wave spectrum to the wind fields, including a preliminary assessment of the sensitivity of inner core peak sea states to high frequency temporal changes in the wind forcing.
Hemispheric Differences in Numerical Cognition: A Comparative Investigation of how Primates Process Numerosity

Four experiments, using both humans and monkeys as participants, were conducted to investigate the similarities and differences in human and nonhuman primate numerical cognition. In Experiment 1 it was determined that both humans and monkeys display a SNARC effect, with similar symbolic distance effects for both species. In addition, both species were found to respond faster to congruent stimulus pairs. In Experiment 2 both species were found accurately to recognize quantitative stimuli when presented for durations of 150 msec in a divided visual field paradigm. Performance for humans and monkeys for numerals and dot-patterns was almost identical in terms of accuracy and response times. In Experiment 3 participants were required to make relative numerousness judgments in a divided visual field paradigm. Both species responded faster and more accurately to stimuli presented to the right visual field. Species differences appeared, with monkeys performing equally well on both trial types whereas the humans performed better on numeral trials than on dot trials. In Experiment 4 repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was combined with the divided visual field paradigm. Accuracy was significantly disrupted for both species when compared to a no stimulation condition. A facilitation effect was also evident with both species exhibiting significant decreases in response time for all trials. Right-handed participants took longer to respond to stimuli presented to the left visual field. These findings add to the body of knowledge regarding both the similarities and differences of how quantitative stimuli are processed by humans and monkeys. INDEX WORDS: Numerical Cognition, Numerosity, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, rTMS, Numeric Processing, SNARC effect HEMISPHERIC DIFFERENCES IN NUMERICAL COGNITION: A COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF HOW PRIMATES PROCESS NUMEROSITY
Pediatric brain tumor cells release exosomes with a miRNA repertoire that differs from exosomes secreted by normal cells

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) are very aggressive brain tumors with a cancer stem cell component. Cells, including cancer stem cells, release vesicles called exosomes which contain small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs). These are thought to play an important role in cell-cell communication. However, we have limited knowledge of the types of exosomal miRNAs released by pediatric HGG stem cells; a prerequisite for exploring their potential roles in HGG biology. Here we isolated exosomes released by pediatric glioma stem cells (GSCs) and compared their repertoire of miRNAs to genetically normal neural stem cells (NSCs) exosomes, as well as their respective cellular miRNA content. Whereas cellular miRNAs are similar, we find that the exosomal miRNA profiles differ between normal and tumor cells, and identify several differentially expressed miRNAs. Of particular interest is miR-1290 and miR-1246, which have previously been linked to ‘stemness’ and invasion in other cancers. We demonstrate that GSC-secreted exosomes influence the gene expression of receiving NSCs, particularly targeting genes with a role in cell fate and tumorigenesis. Thus, our study shows that GSCs and NSCs have similar cellular miRNA profiles, yet differ significantly in the repertoire of exosomal miRNAs and these could influence malignant features of HGG.
Pig Spermatozoa Defect in Acrosome Formation Caused Poor Motion Parameters and Fertilization Failure through Artificial Insemination and In vitro Fertilization

The selection of morphologically normal spermatozoa is critical to obtain high breeding performances in boar breeding farms and artificial insemination (AI) centers. Parameters for the selection of semen mainly include total sperm motility, concentration, and morphology. However, these primary parameters are often not reliable for discriminating between normal and abnormal, non-fertilizable spermatozoa. The present study was designed to compare the motion characteristics, fertilization ability using in vitro fertilization (IVF), and acrosome formation of the semen from boars having low (boar number 2012) and normal (boar number 2004 and 2023) breeding performances. The ultimate goal was to identify additional simple and easy criteria for the selection of normal sperm. There was no significant difference between boar 2004 and boar 2023 sperm total motility in computer assisted sperm analysis. However, boar number 2012 semen presented a significantly reduced population of rapid moving spermatozoa and an increased population of slow moving spermatozoa compared to boar numbers 2004 and 2023. Analysis of detailed motion characteristics revealed that sperm from boar number 2012 had significantly reduced motility in progressiveness, average path velocity, straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straightness, and linearity. The assessment of the fertilizing ability by IVF also showed that sperm from boar number 2012 showed a fertility rate of 3.4%, whereas sperm from boar number 2023 had a fertility rate of 75.45%. Interestingly, most of the sperm nuclei were found on the peripheral area of the oocytes, suggesting that the sperm from boar number 2012 lacked penetration ability into the oocyte zonapellucida. The acrosome formation analysis using Pisum sativum agglutinin staining demonstrated that the sperm from boar number 2012 had a defect in acrosome formation. Consequently, primary parameters for selecting semen before AI such as motility are not sufficient to select normal and fertilizable spermatozoa. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the acrosome staining and detailed motion characteristics such as progressiveness, VCL, and VSL should be included in determining semen quality together with primary parameters for successful AI and high breeding performance in the swine industry.
Overview of Results of the MUC-6 Evaluation

The latest in a series of natural language processing system evaluations was concluded in October 1995 and was the topic of the Sixth Message Understanding Conference (MUC-6) in November. Participants were invited to enter their systems in as many as four different task-oriented evaluations. The Named Entity and Coreference tasks entailed Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) annotation of texts and were being conducted for the first time. The other two tasks, Template Element and Scenario Template, were information extraction tasks that followed on from the MUC evaluations conducted in previous years. The evolution and design of the MUC-6 evaluation are discussed in the paper by Grishman and Sundheim in this volume. All except the Scenario Template task are defined independently of any particular domain.
Early-Dynamic Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography and PET Angiography for Endoleak Detection After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Purpose: To propose a positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) protocol including early-dynamic and late-phase acquisitions to evaluate graft patency and aneurysm diameter, detect endoleaks, and rule out graft or vessel wall inflammation after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in one examination without intravenous contrast medium. Technique: Early-dynamic PET/CT of the endovascular prosthesis is performed for 180 seconds immediately after intravenous injection of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose. Data are reconstructed in variable time frames (time periods after tracer injection) to visualize the arterial anatomy and are displayed as PET angiography or fused with CT images. Images are evaluated in view of vascular abnormalities, graft configuration, and tracer accumulation in the aneurysm sac. Whole-body PET/CT is performed 90 to 120 minutes after tracer injection. Conclusion: This protocol for early-dynamic PET/CT and PET angiography has the potential to evaluate vascular diseases, including the diagnosis of complications after endovascular procedures.
Impact of Clinical Pharmacy Services on KAP and QOL in Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Experience

This study was to evaluate the efficacy of pharmaceutical intervention (PI) on chemotherapy knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. A prospective, randomized, controlled study was carried out at Oncology Ward in a tertiary hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University, China. Eligible patient was randomly assigned to pharmaceutical intervention (PI) group or control group. Each patient in PI group was given information booklets and was given 30 min face-to-face medication education and psychological counseling by clinical pharmacists, 2 sessions per week for 2 months. Patients in control group only received conventional treatment. All participants were asked to complete a structured Chemotherapy KAP Questionnaire and QOL Questionnaire at pre- and poststudy time. A total of 149 cancer patients (77 in PI group and 72 in control group) completed the study. The baseline scores of KAP and QOL in 2 groups were similar. At the end of study, only knowledge score was significantly increased; meanwhile no difference existed for attitude, practice, and QOL scores in control group; both KAP scores and QOL score were significantly increased in PI group. As for the between-group comparison, both KAP scores and QOL score in PI group were significantly higher than those in control group. In conclusion, pharmaceutical intervention has a positive role in increasing chemotherapy-related knowledge, improving patients' positive emotions, dealing with chemotherapy adverse reactions, and improving the quality of life of patients.