Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Random Projections for k-Means: Maintaining Coresets Beyond Merge & Reduce

We give a new construction for a small space summary satisfying the coreset guarantee of a data set with respect to the $k$-means objective function. The number of points required in an offline construction is in $\tilde{O}(k \epsilon^{-2}\min(d,k\epsilon^{-2}))$ which is minimal among all available constructions. Aside from two constructions with exponential dependence on the dimension, all known coresets are maintained in data streams via the merge and reduce framework, which incurs are large space dependency on $\log n$. Instead, our construction crucially relies on Johnson-Lindenstrauss type embeddings which combined with results from online algorithms give us a new technique for efficiently maintaining coresets in data streams without relying on merge and reduce. The final number of points stored by our algorithm in a data stream is in $\tilde{O}(k^2 \epsilon^{-2} \log^2 n \min(d,k\epsilon^{-2}))$.
The evaluation of two software watermarking algorithms

In this paper we analyze the effectiveness of two different software watermarking algorithms. The first is an algorithm proposed by Akito Monden et al. and the second an algorithm proposed by Robert L. Davidson and Nathan Myhrvold of the Microsoft Corporation. We have implemented these techniques within the SANDMARK framework, a system designed to study the effectiveness of software protection algorithms on Java bytecode. To the best of our knowledge this is the first implementation and empirical evaluation of these algorithms with respect to a set of properties such as bit‐rate, stealth, and resilience to attack. We demonstrate through the use of the SANDMARK framework that both of these algorithms have a high bit‐rate but are unstealthy and easy to attack. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adapting Golog for Programming the Semantic Web

Motivated by the problem of automatically composing network accessible services, such as those on the World Wide Web, this paper proposes an approach to building agent technology based on the the notion of generic procedures and customizing user constraint. We argue that an augmented version of the logic programming language Golog provides a natural formalism for programming Web services. To this end, we adapt and extend the Golog language to enable programs that are generic, customizable and usable in the context of the Web. We realize these extensions in an augmented ConGolog interpreter that combines online execution of information-providing Web services with offline simulation of world-altering Web services, to determine a sequence of Web Services for subsequent execution. Our implemented system is currently interacting with services on the Web.
LSP: A Locality-Aware Strip Prefetching Scheme for Striped Disk Array Systems with Concurrent Accesses

In striped disk array systems, the independency of disks for prefetching is more important than parallelism under high concurrency of accesses, based on which strip prefetching with low read cost has more ability to improve the performance of RAID. However, it indiscriminately fetching all the involved strips limits its applicability. To solve this problem, we propose a Locality-aware Strip Prefetching Scheme (LSP), where it keeps track of the users’ accesses and identifies the hot data areas. Only those strips located in the hot data areas will be prefetched and each prefetching request fetches one strip. LSP has several advantages. First, LSP adapts to the evolving workloads in an online and self-tuning fashion and satisfies the striped disk array systems due to the low read cost in each prefetching request. Second, LSP fully exploits the spatial locality in users’ accesses. Here, the spatial locality is more general, which includes multiple simple patterns, such as loop references, sequentiality, reverse references, and other locality-awarded patterns. Third, LSP discriminates the hot data areas from the cold data areas when prefetching, which significantly alleviates the waste of disk bandwidth, optimizes the cache utilization and improves the prefetching accuracy. We have implemented the prototype of LSP algorithm in Linux kernel 2.6. 18. The experimental results show that LSP outperforms SP and Sequential prefetching (SEQP) by up to 22.4% and 24.1% in terms of the average response time, and by up to 1.5 times and 2.3 times in terms of throughput, respectively.
Microorganism producing l-methionine precursor and method of producing l-methionine and organic acid from the l-methionine precurosr

A method for producing L-methionine and organic acid from L-methionine precursor is provided to improve production yield and efficiency, and inhibit substrate toxicity and by-product production by using two stage processes including microorganism fermentation and enzyme conversion. A method for producing L-methionine and organic acid comprises the steps of: (1) producing a microorganism producing L-methionine precursor, O- acyl homoserine represented by a formula(1) in which R is a material containing C, H, O, N and other compounds, and culturing the microorganism to produce L-methionine precursor; and (2) converting the L-methionine precursor into L-methionine and organic acid by using a converting enzyme, wherein the microorganism producing L-methionine precursor is Escherichia coli MF001(KCCM-10568), Escherichia coli CJM-BTJ(pMetA-CL)(KCCM-10767), Escherichia coli CJM-BTJ(pCJ-MetA-CL)(KCCM-10872), or Escherichia coli CJM-BTJA(pCJ-MetX-CL)(KCCM-10873); the converting enzyme is derived from Pseudomonas sp. , Chromobacterium sp. , Leptospira sp. and Hyphomonas sp. ; and the organic acid is succinic acid or acetic acid.
Successful Microbubble Sonothrombolysis Without Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator in a Rabbit Model of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Microbubbles (MB) combined with ultrasound (US) have been shown to lyse clots without tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) both in vitro and in vivo. We evaluated sonothrombolysis with 3 types of MB using a rabbit embolic stroke model. Methods— New Zealand White rabbits (n=74) received internal carotid angiographic embolization of single 3-day-old cylindrical clots (0.6×4.0 mm). Groups included: (1) control (n=11) embolized without treatment; (2) tPA (n=20); (3) tPA+US (n=10); (4) perflutren lipid MB+US (n=16); (5) albumin 3 &mgr;m MB+US (n=8); and (6) tagged albumin 3 &mgr;m MB+US (n=9). Treatment began 1 hour postembolization. Ultrasound was pulsed-wave (1 MHz; 0.8 W/cm2) for 1 hour; rabbits with tPA received intravenous tPA (0.9 mg/kg) over 1 hour. Lipid MB dose was intravenous (0.16 mg/kg) over 30 minutes. Dosage of 3 &mgr;m MB was 5×109 MB intravenously alone or tagged with eptifibatide and fibrin antibody over 30 minutes. Rabbits were euthanized at 24 hours. Infarct volume was determined using vital stains on brain sections. Hemorrhage was evaluated on hematoxylin and eosin sections. Results— Infarct volume percent was lower for rabbits treated with lipid MB+US (1.0%±0.6%; P=0.013), 3 &mgr;m MB+US (0.7%±0.9%; P=0.018), and tagged 3 &mgr;m MB+US (0.8%±0.8%; P=0.019) compared with controls (3.5%±0.8%). The 3 MB types collectively had lower infarct volumes (P=0.0043) than controls. Infarct volume averaged 2.2%±0.6% and 1.7%±0.8% for rabbits treated with tPA alone and tPA+US, respectively (P=nonsignificant). Conclusions— Sonothrombolysis without tPA using these MB is effective in decreasing infarct volumes. Study of human application and further MB technique development are justified.
The Beneficial Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercises for Adults with Low Back Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: The aim of this meta-analytic review was to quantitatively examine the effects of traditional Chinese exercises (TCE) on pain intensity and back disability in individuals with low back pain (LBP). Methods: Potential articles were retrieved using seven electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science, Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang). The searched period was from inception to 1 March 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of TCE on pain intensity and back disability in LBP patients were included. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using the random-effects models and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Data from eleven RCTs (886 individuals with LBP) meeting the inclusion criteria were extracted for meta-analysis. Compared with the control intervention, TCE induced significant improvements in the visual analogue scale (VAS) (Hedge’s g = −0.64, 95% CI −0.90 to −0.37, p < 0.001), Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) (Hedge’s g = −0.41, 95% CI −0.79 to −0.03, p = 0.03), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (Hedge’s g = −0.96, 95% CI −1.42 to −0.50, p < 0.001), and cognitive function (Hedge’s g = −0.62, 95% CI −0.85 to −0.39, p < 0.001). In a meta-regression analysis, age (β = 0.01, p = 0.02) and total exercise time (β = −0.0002, p = 0.01) were associated with changes in the VAS scores, respectively. Moderator analyses demonstrated that Tai Chi practice (Hedge’s g = −0.87, 95% CI −1.38 to −0.36, p < 0.001) and Qigong (Hedge’s g = −0.54, 95% CI −0.86 to −0.23, p < 0.001) reduced VAS scores. Interventions with a frequency of 1–2 times/week (Hedge’s g = −0.53, 95% CI −0.98 to −0.07, p = 0.02) and 3–4 times/week (Hedge’s g = −0.78, 95% CI −1.15 to −0.42, p < 0.001) were associated with reduced VAS scores, but this significant reduction on this outcome was not observed in the weekly training frequency of ≥5 times (Hedge’s g = −0.54, 95% CI −1.16 to 0.08, p = 0.09). Conclusions: TCE may have beneficial effects for reducing pain intensity for individuals with LBP, regardless of their pain status.
GridFlow: workflow management for grid computing

Grid computing is becoming a mainstream technology for large-scale distributed resource sharing and system integration. Workflow management is emerging as one of the most important grid services. In this work, a workflow management system for grid computing, called GridFlow, is presented, including a user portal and services of both global grid workflow management and local grid sub-workflow scheduling. Simulation, execution and monitoring functionalities are provided at the global grid level, which work on top of an existing agent-based grid resource management system. At each local grid, sub-workflow scheduling and conflict management are processed on top of an existing performance prediction based task scheduling system. A fuzzy timing technique is applied to address new challenges of workflow management in a cross-domain and highly dynamic grid environment. A case study is given and corresponding results indicate that local and global grid workflow management can coordinate with each other to optimise workflow execution time and solve conflicts of interest.
A QoS-oriented routing game for smart meter data collection

To ensure resilient and reliable meter data collection that is essential for the smart grid operation, we propose a QoS-oriented wireless routing scheme. Specifically tailored for the heterogeneity of the meter data traffic in the smart grid, we first design a novel utility function that not only jointly accounts for system throughput and transmission latency, but also allows for flexible tradeoff between the two as desired by various smart meter applications. Then, we model the interactions among smart meter data concentrators as a mixed-strategy network formation game. Such a problem formulation, together with our proposed distributed learning algorithm, results in a stable probabilistic route. Both contributions are novel and unique in comparison with existing work on this topic. Another distinct feature of our approach is its capability of effectively maintaining the QoS of smart meter data collection, even when the network is under attack, as verified by simulations.
Inhibitory Effects of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Andrographis paniculata on NF-κB Trans-Activation Activity and LPS-Induced Acute Inflammation in Mice

This study was to investigate anti-inflammatory effect of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees (Acanthaceae) (AP). The effects of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from AP on the level of inflammatory mediators were examined first using nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) driven luciferase assay. The results showed that AP significantly inhibited NF-κB luciferase activity and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and nitric oxide (NO) secretions from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon-γ stimulated Raw264.7 cells. To further evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of AP in vivo, BALB/c mice were tube-fed with 0.78 (AP1), 1.56 (AP2), 3.12 (AP3) and 6.25 (AP4) mg kg−1 body weight (BW)/day in soybean oil, while the control and PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an anti-inflammatory agent) groups were tube-fed with soybean oil only. After 1 week of tube-feeding, the PDTC group was injected with 50 mg kg−1 BW PDTC and 1 h later, all of the mice were injected with 15 mg kg−1 BW LPS. The results showed that the AP1, AP2, AP3 and PDTC groups, but not AP4, had significantly higher survival rate than the control group. Thus, the control, AP1, AP2, AP3 and PDTC groups were repeated for in vivo parameters. The results showed that the AP and PDTC groups had significantly lower TNF-α, IL-12p40, MIP-2 or NO in serum or peritoneal macrophages and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lung of mice. The AP1 group also had significantly lower MIP-2 mRNA expression in brain. This study suggests that AP can inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and alleviate acute hazards at its optimal dosages.
A conceptual model of groupware

This paper discusses a conceptual model of groupware consisting of three complementary components or models: a description of the objects and operations on these objects available in the system; a description of the activities (and their orderings) that the users of the system can perform; and a description of the interface of users with the system, and with other users.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN CURRENT MODE POWER SUPPLIES

Introduction This detailed section contains an in-depth explanation of the numerous PWM functions, and how to maximize their usefulness. It covers a multitude of practical circuit design considerations, such as slope compensation, gate drive circuitry, external control functions, synchronization, and paralleling current mode controlled modules. Circuit diagrams and simplified equations for the above items of interest are included. Familiarity with these topics will simplify the design and debugging process, and will save a great deal of time for the power supply design engineer.
Building adaptable and reusable XML applications with model transformations

We present an approach in which the semantics of an XML language is defined by means of a transformation from an XML document model (an XML schema) to an application specific model. The application specific model implements the intended behavior of documents written in the language. A transformation is specified in a model transformation language used in the Model Driven Architecture (MDA) approach for software development. Our approach provides a better separation of three concerns found in XML applications: syntax, syntax processing logic and intended meaning of the syntax. It frees the developer of low-level syntactical details and improves the adaptability and reusability of XML applications. Declarative transformation rules and the explicit application model provide a finer control over the application parts affected by adaptations. Transformation rules and the application model for an XML language may be composed with the corresponding rules and application models defined for other XML languages. In that way we achieve reuse and composition of XML applications.
Exploring the black box of dissemination: The role of professional and organizational development

The field of engineering education has initiated a focus on ensuring engineering education research is disseminated and implemented within the classroom. Numerous researchers have investigated the reasons for the adoption of evidence-based practices, or, more often, the lack thereof. The Professional and Organizational Development (POD) network community is an underutilized potential ally for ensuring the implementation of engineering education research due to their focus on organizational change and improving teaching practice. Using the Diffusion of Innovation framework and best practices for adoption, this session will guide faculty in envisioning a wide variety of channels for moving engineering education research into the classroom. Participants in this special session will brainstorm ways to encourage collaboration between these two communities culminating in a "message in a bottle" to the POD community to help them understand the activities and needs of engineering education researchers. This message will be delivered to faculty development professionals, centers for teaching and learning, organizational change specialists, and others in the POD community at their annual conference in November 2015.
Hypothetical revision and matter-of-fact supp osition

The recent literature offers several models of the notion of matter of fact supposition1 revealed in the acceptance of the so-called indicative conditionals. Some of those models are qualitative [Collins 90], [Levi 96], [Stalnaker 84]. Other probabilistic models appeal either to infinitesimal probability or two place probability functions ([Adams 75], [van Fraassen 95], [Joyce 99], [McGee 94]). Recent work has made possible to understand which is the exact qualitative counterpart of the latter probabilistic models. In this article we show that the qualitative notion of change that thus arises is hypothetical revision, a notion previously axiomatized in [Arlo-Costa 97] and [Arlo-Costa & Thomason 96]. This notion is incompatible with AGM as well as with other standard methods of theory change (like Katsuno and Mendelzon's UPDATE). The way in which matter-of-fact supposition is modeled by hypothetical revision is illustrated via examples. The model is compared with other qualitative accounts of the notion of.
Hyperventilation in panic disorder patients and healthy first-degree relatives.

Our aim was to observe the induction of panic attacks by a hyperventilation challenge test in panic disorder patients (DSM-IV) and their healthy first-degree relatives. We randomly selected 25 panic disorder patients, 31 healthy first-degree relatives of probands with panic disorder and 26 normal volunteers with no family history of panic disorder. All patients had no psychotropic drugs for at least one week. They were induced to hyperventilate (30 breaths/min) for 4 min and anxiety scales were applied before and after the test. A total of 44.0% (N = 11) panic disorder patients, 16.1% (N = 5) of first-degree relatives and 11.5% (N = 3) of control subjects had a panic attack after hyperventilating (chi(2) = 8.93, d.f. = 2, P = 0.011). In this challenge test the panic disorder patients were more sensitive to hyperventilation than first-degree relatives and normal volunteers. Although the hyperventilation test has a low sensitivity, our data suggest that there is no association between a family history of panic disorder and hyperreactivity to an acute hyperventilation challenge test. Perhaps cognitive variables should be considered to play a specific role in this association since symptoms of a panic attack and acute hyperventilation overlap.
The investigation of power control schemes for a device-to-device communication integrated into OFDMA cellular system

Power control is one of the key functions which are able to co-ordinate the system interference. In this paper, several power control schemes are investigated for a hybrid LTE system, which combines the direct device-to-device (D2D) mode communication and the normal cellular mode communication. In the system study, the power control for the D2D mode communication is emphasized. In general, the utilization of local area transmission for D2D communications provides a better SINR than normal cellular communications. In this case, the proper power control for D2D communications can be a flexible way to improve (and balance) the overall system performance. Naturally, the low power transmission of D2D communications leads to many potential advantages, such as low interference level (to normal cellular users) and low power consumption. From the power control point of view, the low power transmission provides more freedom to tune the Tx power. However, power control is not an efficient solution to avoid the strong mutual (co-channel) interference between different types of UEs. In this case, the join consideration of mode selection, resource scheduling, link adaption and power control is needed.
An Approach to Handwriting Recognition using Back-Propagation Neural Network

Handwriting Recognition is an important topic in Computer Science. In this paper a procedure is presented to identify characters that are drawn using stylus with the help of Back-Propagation Neural Network. The paper describes the entire procedure from feature extraction to the training of the network. Feature extraction includes pixel grabbing, finding character bounds and down-sampling of the image to 7*5 pixel size. The neural network is trained by supervised learning which includes error calculation using back-propagation approach. After the training is completed the network is ready to identify characters that are drawn in the computer. This same approach given in this paper can be extended to recognize handwritten documents and also for recognizing multilingual characters.
Automated Ribotyping Using Different Enzymes To Improve Discrimination of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates, with a Particular Focus on Serotype 4b Strains

ABSTRACT To develop improved automated subtyping approaches forListeria monocytogenes, we characterized the discriminatory power of different restriction enzymes for ribotyping. When 15 different restriction enzymes were used for automated ribotyping of 16 selected L. monocytogenes isolates, the restriction enzymesEcoRI, PvuII, and XhoI showed high discriminatory ability (Simpson's index of discrimination > 0.900) and produced complete and reproducible restriction cut patterns. These three enzymes were thus evaluated for their ability to differentiate among isolates representing the two major serotype 4b epidemic clones, those having ribotype reference pattern DUP-1038 (51 isolates) and those having pattern DUP-1042 (20 isolates). Among these isolates, PvuII provided the highest discrimination for a single enzyme (nine different subtypes; index of discrimination = 0.518). A combination of PvuII and XhoI showed the highest discriminatory ability (index of discrimination = 0.590) for these isolates. A group of 44 DUP-1038 isolates and a group of 12 DUP-1042 isolates were identical to each other even when the combined data for all three enzymes were used. We conclude that automated ribotyping using different enzymes allows improved discrimination of L. monocytogenes isolates, including epidemic serotype 4b strains. We furthermore confirm that most of the isolates representing the genotypes linked to the two major epidemic L. monocytogenes clonal groups form two genetically homogeneous groups.