Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Framework for Resolving Open-World Referential Expressions in Distributed Heterogeneous Knowledge Bases

We present a domain-independent approach to reference resolution that allows a robotic or virtual agent to resolve references to entities (e.g., objects and locations) found in open worlds when the information needed to resolve such references is distributed among multiple heterogeneous knowledge bases in its architecture. An agent using this approach can combine information from multiple sources without the computational bottleneck associated with centralized knowledge bases. The proposed approach also facilitates “lazy constraint evaluation”, i.e., verifying properties of the referent through different modalities only when the information is needed. After specifying the interfaces by which a reference resolution algorithm can request information from distributed knowledge bases, we present an algorithm for performing open-world reference resolution within that framework, analyze the algorithm’s performance, and demonstrate its behavior on a simulated robot.
The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Employees' Organizational Commitment: The Case Study of the PPDNKK Kuala Terengganu office

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships between 2 variables of job satisfaction: Intrinsic and Extrinsic with organizational commitment: Affective commitment, commitment Continuance and Normative commitment. This study was focused to staffs of PPDNKK Kuala Terengganu as the respondents. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 19.0 for processing the data with accuracy and validity of the data will not be questioned. Pearson correlation statistical analysis is used to test the relationship between variables. Most likely, the study will also examine the relationships between important variables in understanding the organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Results from this study showed that there 4 new dimension in job satisfaction of rewards, benefits, salary and promotion. However, according to Luthan (1998), all of these dimensions there are components in the extrinsic job satisfaction. Revenue analysis was carried out also bring 3 new dimensions. Dimensions have been classified in accordance with commitments components described by Meyer and Allen (1991). Objective of this study finally answered and there is a relationship between job satisfactions embarking commitment. The study hopes to contribute to the quality of work and commitment of staff PPDNKK Kuala Terengganu.
Congestion control and pricing of volume intensive applications

We consider fair sharing of network resources over a period of time between offline and interactive users. The former value total transferred volume while the latter have time-dependent valuations for instantaneous bandwidth. Following the work of Kelly on fair bandwidth sharing, we express the system optimum as an equilibrium of traditional congestion control taking place in a fast timescale and a volume charging mechanism in a slow timescale. The problem is very much related to multipath congestion control where paths are unfolded also in the dimension of time, and our algorithms can be regarded as multipath congestion control algorithms operating on two separate timescales that combine congestion control with scheduling. A novel feature of our algorithms is that, contrary to ordinary dual algorithms, users are not overcharged at any time while approaching the equilibrium. This is a sensible economical property not recognized before in the context of congestion control over long timescales.
The Influence of Bodily Experience on Children's Language Processing

The Body-Object Interaction (BOI) variable measures how easily a human body can physically interact with a word's referent (Siakaluk, Pexman, Aguilera, Owen, & Sears, ). A facilitory BOI effect has been observed with adults in language tasks, with faster and more accurate responses for high BOI words (e.g., mask) than for low BOI words (e.g., ship; Wellsby, Siakaluk, Owen, & Pexman, ). We examined the development of this effect in children. Fifty children (aged 6-9 years) and a group of 21 adults completed a word naming task with high and low BOI words. Younger children (aged 6-7 years) did not show a BOI effect, but older children (aged 8-9 years) showed a significant facilitory BOI effect, as did adults. Magnitude of children's BOI effect was related to age as well as reading skills. These results suggest that bodily experience (as measured by the BOI variable) begins to influence visual word recognition behavior by about 8 years of age.
The “HyTime ”: hypermedia/time-based document structuring language

he computer and telecommunications industries have made enormous progress in communications technology standardization in recent years. One effect of good communications technology is that people can concentrate on the information being communicated. More and more people are realizing, however, that being able to send and receive files containing information is not enough. It is desirable that all digital documents explicitly indicate in a standard way what kind of notation is used in them. When an electronic document is created, its author should be able to incorporate active references to other on-line documents ("hyperlinks"l), regardless of the heterogeneity of their notations. In other words, there should be a standard way to make "information about information" interoperable. Such a standard should, among other things:
Advances in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. The main risk factors for cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx are alcohol and tobacco use. In addition, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is an established cause of oropharyngeal cancer. An experienced multidisciplinary team is necessary for adequate management and optimal outcome. The treatment of locally advanced disease generally requires various combinations of radiotherapy, surgery, and systemic therapy, but despite this aggressive multimodal treatment, 40% to 60% of the patients will relapse. In this report, we will discuss recent advances in the management of SCCHN, including new developments in molecular biology, imaging, and treatment.
Signs of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in relation to risk factor distribution in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study (HNR)

Aims Modern imaging technology allows us the visualization of coronary artery calcification (CAC), a marker of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. The prevalence, quantity, and risk factors for CAC were compared between two studies with similar imaging protocols but different source populations: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study (HNR). Methods and results The measured CAC in 2220 MESA participants were compared with those in 3126 HNR participants with the inclusion criteria such as age 45–75 years, Caucasian race, and free of baseline cardiovascular disease. Despite similar mean levels of CAC of 244.6 among participants in MESA and of 240.3 in HNR (P = 0.91), the prevalence of CAC > 0 was lower in MESA (52.6%) compared with HNR (67.0%) with a prevalence rate ratio of CAC > 0 of 0.78 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72–0.85] after adjustment for known risk factors. Consequently, among participants with CAC > 0, the participants in MESA tended to have higher levels of CAC than those in HNR (ratio of CAC levels: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.19–1.63), since many HNR participants have small (near zero) CAC values. Conclusions The CAC prevalence was lower in the United States (MESA) cohort than in the German (HNR) cohort, which may be explained by more favourable risk factor levels among the MESA participants. The predictors for increased levels of CAC were, however, similar in both cohorts with the exception that male gender, blood pressure, and body mass index were more strongly associated in the HNR cohort.
Privacy-preserving routing in delay tolerant networks based on Bloom filters

Privacy preservation in opportunistic networks, such as disruption and delay tolerant networks, constitutes a very challenging area of research. The wireless channel is vulnerable to malicious nodes that can eavesdrop data exchanges. Moreover, all nodes in an opportunistic network can act as routers and thus, gain access to sensitive information while forwarding data. Node anonymity and data protection can be achieved using encryption. However, cryptography-based mechanisms are complex to handle and computationally expensive for the participating (mobile) nodes. We propose SimBet-BF, a privacy-preserving routing algorithm for opportunistic networks. The proposed algorithm builds atop the SimBet algorithm and uses Bloom filters so as to represent routing as well as other sensitive information included in data packets. SimBet-BF provides anonymous communication and avoids expensive cryptographic operations, while the functionality of the SimBet algorithm is not significantly affected. In fact, we show that the required security level can be achieved with a negligible routing performance trade-off.
Measurement of boundary fields in a reverberation chamber

This paper describes the measurement and analysis of the electrical field strength components near the walls of a reverberation chamber. Therefore an array of 8 E-field probes was used. The average value is calculated from the measurement results and compared to theoretical values that are derived from a plane wave representation. The presented results are normalized to the mean value in the working volume of the reverberation chamber where the average field is assumed to be statistically isotropic and homogeneous. A good agreement can be noticed for certain components of the field strength. Remaining deviations of the results and limitations of the measurement setup are discussed.
The Quality of Reports on Cervical Arterial Dissection following Cervical Spinal Manipulation

Background Cervical artery dissection (CAD) and stroke are serious harms that are sometimes associated with cervical spinal manipulation therapy (cSMT). Because of the relative rarity of these adverse events, studying them prospectively is challenging. As a result, systematic review of reports describing these events offers an important opportunity to better understand the relation between adverse events and cSMT. Of note, the quality of the case report literature in this area has not yet been assessed. Purpose 1) To systematically collect and synthesize available reports of CAD that have been associated with cSMT in the literature and 2) assess the quality of these reports. Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted using several databases. All clinical study designs involving CADs associated with cSMT were eligible for inclusion. Included studies were screened by two independent reviewers for the presence/absence of 11 factors considered to be important in understanding the relation between CAD and cSMT. Results Overall, 43 articles reported 901 cases of CAD and 707 incidents of stroke reported to be associated with cSMT. The most common type of stroke reported was ischemic stroke (92%). Time-to-onset of symptoms was reported most frequently (95%). No single case included all 11 factors. Conclusions This study has demonstrated that the literature infrequently reports useful data toward understanding the association between cSMT, CADs and stroke. Improving the quality, completeness, and consistency of reporting adverse events may improve our understanding of this important relation.
When Domain-General Learning Fails and When It Succeeds: Identifying the Contribution of Domain Specificity

We identify three components of any learning theory: the representations, the learner's data intake, and the learning algorithm. With these in mind, we model the acquisition of the English anaphoric pronoun one in order to identify necessary constraints for successful acquisition, and the nature of those constraints. Whereas previous modeling efforts have succeeded by using a domain-general learning algorithm that implicitly restricts the data intake to be a subset of the input, we show that the same kind of domain-general learning algorithm fails when it does not restrict the data intake. We argue that the necessary data intake restrictions are domain-specific in nature. Thus, while a domain-general algorithm can be quite powerful, a successful learner must also rely on domain-specific learning mechanisms when learning anaphoric one.
Bactericidal activity of propylene glycol, glycerine, polyethylene glycol 400, and polyethylene glycol 1000 against selected microorganisms

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the bactericidal activity of propylene glycol, glycerine, polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), and polyethylene glycol 1000 (PEG 1000) against selected microorganisms in vitro. Materials and Methods: Five vehicles, namely propylene glycol, glycerine, PEG 400, PEG 1000, and combination of propylene glycol with PEG 400, were tested for their bactericidal activity. The minimum bactericidal concentration was noted against four standard strains of organisms, i.e. Streptococcus mutans American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 25175, Streptococcus mutans ATCC 12598, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 35550, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, using broth dilution assay. Successful endodontic therapy depends upon thorough disinfection of root canals. In some refractory cases, routine endodontic therapy is not sufficient, so intracanal medicaments are used for proper disinfection of canals. Intracanal medicaments are dispensed with vehicles which aid in increased diffusion through the dentinal tubules and improve their efficacy. Among the various vehicles used, glycerine is easily available, whereas others like propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol have to be procured from appropriate sources. Also, these vehicles, being viscous, aid in sustained release of the medicaments and improve their handling properties. The most commonly used intracanal medicaments like calcium hydroxide are ineffective on many microorganisms, while most of the other medicaments like MTAD (Mixture of Tetracycline, an Acid, and a Detergent) and Triple Antibiotic Paste (TAP) consist of antibiotics which can lead to development of antibiotic resistance among microorganisms. Thus, in order to use safer and equally effective intracanal medicaments, newer alternatives like chlorhexidine gluconate, ozonized water, etc., are being explored. Similarly, the five vehicles mentioned above are being tested for their antimicrobial activity in this study. Results: All vehicles exhibited bactericidal activity at 100% concentration. Conclusion: Propylene glycol was effective against three organisms namely S. mutans E. faecalis and E. coli and its bactericidal activity was at 50%, 25% and 50% respectively. PEG 1000 was effective against S. mutans and E. coli at 25%. Hence propylene glycol was effective on more number of organisms of which E. faecalis is a known resistant species. PEG 1000 was bactericidal at a lower concentration but was effective on two organisms only.
Impacts des incitatifs économiques en médecine générale : Analyse des préférences et des motivations des médecins

This thesis addresses several issues raised by the introduction in France of economic incentives such as pay-For-Performance applied to general practice. These incentive schemes are designed to improve the quality of care, but they are discussed both in terms of effectiveness and potential side effects. Initially, we assess the impact of the CAPI scheme on various indicators of quality of care: the consultation length and cancers screening. Then, using the discrete choice experiment methodology, we reveal general practitioners (GPs) preferences for devices aimed at improving the early detection of cancers. Finally, we analyse empirically the relationship between French GPs' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. We show that the CAPI has not had a significant impact on the selected quality indicators. In addition, GPs would be sensitive to potentially less costly nonmonetary devices. Eventually, we highlight a negative relationship between GPs' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Our results call for greater caution in the definition of economic incentives in general practice.
WASHABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA COALS

As part of the British Columbia Geological Survey Branch’s Coal Quality Pmject, washability characteristics of coals from all parts of the province are being compiled (see manuscript S-l, this volume, for descriptions of other ongoing coul quality studies). The interpretation of these data will provide insight into the geological basis of washability. and hopefully provide practical information which will aid in the assessment and exploitation of our coal R? S”“ICCS. Coals described in this paper are from the Peace River coalfield of northeastern Briti.sh Columbia. They occur in the Gates Formation of the Lower Cretaccous Fort St. John Gr0lJp.
Calcium store sensor stromal-interaction molecule 1-dependent signaling plays an important role in cervical cancer growth, migration, and angiogenesis

Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is the principal Ca2+ entry mechanism in nonexcitable cells. Stromal-interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ sensor that triggers SOCE activation. However, the role of STIM1 in regulating cancer progression remains controversial and its clinical relevance is unclear. Here we show that STIM1-dependent signaling is important for cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. STIM1 overexpression in tumor tissue is noted in 71% cases of early-stage cervical cancer. In tumor tissues, the level of STIM1 expression is significantly associated with the risk of metastasis and survival. EGF-stimulated cancer cell migration requires STIM1 expression and EGF increases the interaction between STIM1 and Orai1 in juxta-membrane areas, and thus induces Ca2+ influx. STIM1 involves the activation of Ca2+-regulated protease calpain, as well as Ca2+-regulated cytoplasmic kinase Pyk2, which regulate the focal-adhesion dynamics of migratory cervical cancer cells. Because of an increase of p21 protein levels and a decrease of Cdc25C protein levels, STIM1-silencing in cervical cancer cells significantly inhibits cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the S and G2/M phases. STIM1 also regulates the production of VEGF in cervical cancer cells. Interference with STIM1 expression or blockade of SOCE activity inhibits tumor angiogenesis and growth in animal models, confirming the crucial role of STIM1-mediated Ca2+ influx in aggravating tumor development in vivo. These results make STIM1-dependent signaling an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
Mixed-Q linear space-time codes

A new modulation method for linear space-time codes is proposed based on using constellations of different sizes for different symbols. It is shown that the proposed method significantly reduces the complexity of the sphere decoding algorithm. The complexity reduction is more pronounced in high-rate codes, where each code matrix carries a large number of symbols. We also show that the choice of constellation size provides a tradeoff between performance and complexity. Using this, some guidelines for choosing constellation size are presented. As one introduces more constellation disparity in the code, the complexity is further reduced, while the performance loss grows. Typically, a complexity reduction of one to two orders of magnitude can be achieved at the expense of about 3 dB coding gain. We suggest a simple modification in our design to reduce this loss to about 2 dB.
Improving the Outcomes of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders through User-tuned Content Customization

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a triad of disturbances affecting the areas of communication, social interaction and behavior, and each subject has very different cognitive and functional characteristics. Especially at young ages and in educational contexts, these limitations can be deeply disabling if appropriate intervention methodologies are not used. Computer aided tools play a major role in the development of adequate educational responses, however, current approaches either focus more on the delivery of rich multimedia content, and less on the customization capabilities, or vice versa, and are unable to explore the individual differences that are specific to each subject with ASD. This work presents a novel approach focused on improving the outcomes of children with ASD, with a special emphasis on communication skills, by exploring the potential of user-tuned content customization to enable children to interact, share opinions and experiences, through a rich multimedia environment. Our research takes into account the needs of both the children and their caregivers, and provides the means to prepare a unique setup for each child, giving the possibility to fully customize the layout and contents. We extend the current state-of-the-art in the field, both in terms of usability for the caregivers and functionality for the end-users, by proposing a set of methodologies that make content customization more natural for the caregivers, and the navigation on the tool more understandable for the children. Our approach was evaluated through a set of transversal and longitudinal studies involving real-world users, for which we present a detailed analysis. In the overall, experimental results have shown that our proposed approach leads to improved outcomes and higher engagement of the children in the educational process.
An Improved Approach for AC-DC Power Flow Calculation With Multi-Infeed DC Systems

An improved approach based on sequential method for the AC-DC power flow calculation is proposed in this paper. This approach solves the convergence problem caused by voltage violations at AC buses during the power flow calculation for the DC subsystems. The convergence property can be significantly improved by adjusting the converter transformer tap position flexibly. In order to adjust the tap position of the converter transformer flexibly, three mainly modifications are proposed. Firstly, the equations for whole DC systems are decoupled into individual DC systems so as to easily figure out which DC system's tap position needs adjustment. Secondly, the tap ratio of a converter transformer is selected as an alternative state variable to replace the cosine of the control angle when necessary. Thirdly, the Newton-Raphson method is utilized to solve DC subsystems instead of the method using the linear equations. Furthermore, a theoretical analysis of the advantages of the proposed approach is also presented. Numerical simulations and practical applications show that the proposed approach meet the requirement of different system operating conditions and has advantages in terms of convergence and speed. The proposed approach has been successfully integrated into the Energy Management System (EMS) for China Southern Power Grid.