Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Survey Paper on Recommender Systems

Recommender systems apply data mining techniques and prediction algorithms to predict users' interest on information, products and services among the tremendous amount of available items. The vast growth of information on the Internet as well as number of visitors to websites add some key challenges to recommender systems. These are: producing accurate recommendation, handling many recommendations efficiently and coping with the vast growth of number of participants in the system. Therefore, new recommender system technologies are needed that can quickly produce high quality recommendations even for huge data sets. To address these issues we have explored several collaborative filtering techniques such as the item based approach, which identify relationship between items and indirectly compute recommendations for users based on these relationships. The user based approach was also studied, it identifies relationships between users of similar tastes and computes recommendations based on these relationships. In this paper, we introduce the topic of recommender system. It provides ways to evaluate efficiency, scalability and accuracy of recommender system. The paper also analyzes different algorithms of user based and item based techniques for recommendation generation. Moreover, a simple experiment was conducted using a data mining application -Weka- to apply data mining algorithms to recommender system. We conclude by proposing our approach that might enhance the quality of recommender systems.
Representations of multidimensional linear process bridges

Abstract. We derive bridges from general multidimensional linear non time-homogeneous processes by using only the transition densities of the original process giving their integral representations (in terms of a standard Wiener process) and their so-called anticipative representations. We derive a stochastic differential equation satisfied by the integral representation and we prove a usual conditioning property for general multidimensional linear process bridges. We specialize our results for the one-dimensional case; especially, we study one-dimensional Ornstein–Uhlenbeck bridges.
The use of multiple proxies for fast download

In many file server applications, a server usually restricts the allowed bandwidth to single IP address. This may overzealously hinder the download speed and reduce the reliability of transferring a large file in the view of one individual client. In order to improve download speed for a particular client, we consider the use of multiple proxies to share the download task. We call it MPD (multiple proxies download). The key idea of MPD is to partition the downloading task into segments and use multiple proxies which have different IP address to download different segments of the large file from the server's mirrored site in parallel. After all the segments of the large file are downloaded, all these segments are reassembled into a complete copy. In the MPD working model, a client can acquire aggregate the bandwidth of its proxies. The download speed for the client can be dramatically increased. Downloading reliability and fault tolerance of connections can also be increased
Assumptions of Value-Added Models for Estimating School Effects

The ability of school (or teacher) value-added models to provide unbiased estimates of school (or teacher) effects rests on a set of assumptions. In this article, we identify six assumptions that are required so that the estimands of such models are well defined and the models are able to recover the desired parameters from observable data. These assumptions are (1) manipulability, (2) no interference between units, (3) interval scale metric, (4) homogeneity of effects, (5) strongly ignorable assignment, and (6) functional form. We discuss the plausibility of these assumptions and the consequences of their violation. In particular, because the consequences of violations of the last three assumptions have not been assessed in prior literature, we conduct a set of simulation analyses to investigate the extent to which plausible violations of them alter inferences from value-added models. We find that modest violations of these assumptions degrade the quality of value-added estimates but that models that explicitly account for heterogeneity of school effects are less affected by violations of the other assumptions.
NISSUNA UMANA INVESTIGAZIONE SI PUO DIMANDARE VERA SCIENZIA S’ESSA NON PASSA PER LE MATEMATICHE DIMOSTRAZIONI LEONARDO DAVINCI

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Fast computation of categorical richness on raster data sets and related problems

In many scientific fields, it is common to encounter raster data sets consisting of categorical data, such as soil type or land usage of a terrain. A problem that arises in the presence of such data is the following: given a raster G of n cells storing categorical data, compute for every cell c in G the number of different categories appearing within a window centered at c. The window can either be a (2r+1)x(2r+1) square or a disk of radius r for a positive integer parameter r. We call this the categorical richness problem, and we present two algorithms for it: one for square windows that runs in O(n) time and one for circular windows that runs in O((1+K/r)n) time, where K is the number of distinct categories in G. The algorithms are not only efficient in theory, but also in practice: our experiments show that our algorithms can handle raster data of hundreds of millions of cells. The categorical richness problem is related to colored range counting, where the goal is to preprocess a colored point set such that we can efficiently count the number of colors appearing inside a query range. We present a data structure for colored range counting in R2 for the case where query ranges are squares. Our structure uses O(n polylog n) storage and has O(polylog n) query time, which is significantly better than what is known for arbitrary rectangular ranges.
Do Business Characteristics Determine an Effective Tax Rate?

This article conducts a comparative analysis of the tax burden for listed companies in China and the United States and studies the factors that determine the effective tax rate (ETR). Information from the financial statements of sample companies in the Datastream/Worldscope database is used to calculate the corporate tax burden in these two geographical areas. The application of panel data estimation procedures finds (1) that U.S. companies have significantly higher ETRs than Chinese companies, and (2) that the tax burden is determined by the characteristics of each company (size, capital structure, asset mix, profitability) and the tax policy of the government. The main contribution of this article is its finding of a nonlinear relationship between ETR and size, leverage, and capital intensity. The simultaneous consideration of two geographical areas is also a new approach.
High energy scattering in Quantum Chromodynamics

In this series of three lectures, we discuss several aspects of high energy scattering among hadrons in Quantum Chromodynamics. The first lecture is devoted to a description of the parton model, Bjorken scaling and the scaling violations due to the evolution of parton distributions with the transverse resolution scale. The second lecture describes parton evolution at small momentum fraction x, the phenomenon of gluon saturation and the Color Glass Condensate (CGC). In the third lecture, we present the application of the CGC to the study of high energy hadronic collisions, with emphasis on nucleus-nucleus collisions. In particular, we provide the outline of a proof of high energy factorization for inclusive gluon production.
The logic of annotated portfolios: communicating the value of 'research through design'

This paper examines Research Through Design as an orientation to so-called 'Third Wave' Human Computer Interaction (HCI). A number of recent critical reflections are reviewed and the 'disciplinary anxieties', which this approach to HCI has aroused, are discussed. Drawing on Feyerabend's philosophical scepticism over methods and contributions to the Sociology of Science, it is suggested that design research might build its own 'limited rationality' rather than be brought in line with supposed norms for good research or criteria for rigour and relevance of unfamiliar provenance. To this end, a concept of 'annotated portfolio' is advanced, and detailed, as a means for capturing the family resemblances that exist in a collection of artefacts, simultaneously respecting the particularity of specific designs and engaging with broader concerns. The concept is demonstrated through annotating nine well-known pieces created by the Goldsmiths Interaction Research Studio. Treating this collection as an annotated portfolio highlights, formulates and collates interaction design issues in this work in a novel manner. On this basis, annotated portfolios are proposed as a viable means for communicating design thinking in HCI in a descriptive yet generative and inspirational fashion, without having recourse to standards of 'theory' which fit design practice uncomfortably.
About Inferences in a Crowdsourced Lexical-Semantic Network

Automatically inferring new relations from already existing ones is a way to improve the quality of a lexical network by relation densification and error detection. In this paper, we devise such an approach for the JeuxDeMots lexical network, which is a freely avalaible lexical network for French. We first present deduction (generic to specific) and induction (specific to generic) which are two inference schemes ontologically founded. We then propose abduction as a third form of inference scheme, which exploits examples similar to a target term.
Endotoxin triggers nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent up-regulation of multiple proinflammatory genes in the diaphragm.

BACKGROUND Sepsis-induced diaphragmatic force loss and failure are associated with an increased exposure of the muscle to proinflammatory mediators. OBJECTIVES Our objectives were to test the hypothesis that force-inhibiting mediators may arise in large part from the diaphragm itself and to evaluate the roles of mechanical stress, free radicals, and the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB transcription factor pathway in endotoxin (LPS)-induced proinflammatory responses of the diaphragm. METHODS Murine diaphragm and limb muscle cells were exposed to LPS in vitro and in vivo. Proinflammatory gene expression was measured using RNase protection assays (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, TNF-alpha receptor p55, interleukin [IL]-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, macrophage inflammatory peptide-2, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, Fas ligand, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and ELISAs (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and macrophage inflammatory peptide-2). Cyclical muscle cell stretch and free-radical scavengers (N-acetylcysteine and catalase) were used to alter mechanical and oxidative stress levels, respectively. Pharmacologic (pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate) and dominant-negative transfection strategies were used to inhibit the NF-kappaB pathway. RESULTS In primary diaphragm muscle cell cultures, modulation of mechanical stress levels or free-radical exposure did not alter responses to LPS stimulation. However, pharmacologic blockade of the NF-kappaB pathway and dominant-negative molecular inhibition of IKB kinase-beta strongly suppressed LPS-induced proinflammatory gene expression. In vivo, acute endotoxemia induced significantly greater mRNA and protein levels for proinflammatory mediators in the diaphragm as compared with limb muscle. Basal expression levels of proinflammatory genes were significantly higher in the diaphragm. CONCLUSIONS Constitutive and LPS-induced proinflammatory gene expression are exaggerated in the diaphragm compared with limb muscles and are critically dependent on the NF-kappaB pathway. We suggest the diaphragm may be relatively predisposed to proinflammatory responses.
Characteristics and Production Costs of U.S. Corn Farms, Including Organic, 2010

Data from the 2010 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) and ERS cost of production accounts present a snapshot of the production costs, production practices, and characteristics related to U.S. corn production in 2010. This study found considerable variation in the operating and ownership costs for corn, ranging from an average of $1.74 per bushel for low-cost producers to $3.88 per bushel for high-cost producers. In 2010, high corn prices meant that most producers covered their corn production costs from harvest-month prices. The Heartland continues to be the major corn production region with the lowest operating and ownership costs per bushel, mainly because of the region’s high corn yields. The operating and ownership costs per bushel did not vary significantly by enterprise size where size is measured by the number of planted corn acres per farm. However, these costs per planted acre were lowest for farms with the smallest corn enterprises and highest for farms with the largest corn enterprises. Production value less operating and ownership costs per acre from organic corn production was higher than that from conventional corn production because higher prices more than offset lower yields for organic corn.
Mutations in alpha- and beta-tubulin affect spindle formation in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Two Chinese hamster ovary cell lines with mutated beta-tubulins (Grs-2 and Cmd-4) and one that has a mutation in alpha-tubulin (Tax-1) are temperature sensitive for growth at 40.5 degrees C. To determine the functional defect in these mutant cells at the nonpermissive temperature, they were characterized with respect to cell cycle parameters and microtubule organization and function after relatively short periods at 40.5 degrees C. At the nonpermissive temperature all the mutants had normal appearing cytoplasmic microtubules. Premature chromosome condensation analysis failed to show any discrete step in the interphase cell cycle in which these mutants are arrested. These cells, however, show several defects at the nonpermissive temperature that appear related to the function of microtubules during mitosis. Time-lapse studies showed that mitosis was lengthened in the three mutant lines at 40.5 degrees C as compared with the wild-type cells at this temperature, resulting in a higher proportion of cells in mitosis after temperature shift. There was also a large increase in multinucleated cells in mutant populations after incubation at the nonpermissive temperature. Immunofluorescent studies using a monoclonal anti--alpha-tubulin antibody showed that the mutant cells had a high proportion of abnormal spindles at the nonpermissive temperature. The two altered beta-tubulins and the altered alpha-tubulin all were found to cause a similar phenotype at the high temperature that results in mitotic delay, defective cytokinesis, multinucleation, and ultimately, cell death. We conclude that spindle formation is the limiting microtubule function in these mutant cell lines at the nonpermissive temperature and that these cell lines will be of value for the study of the precise role of tubulin in mammalian spindle formation.
A Novel Application of Amniotic Membrane in Patients with Bullous Keratopathy

To evaluate the efficacy of amniotic membrane in the management of painful bullous keratopathy secondary to the intractable glaucoma and in preventing exposure of drainage devices, we inserted Ahmed valve with amniotic membrane patch graft over the implant itself, and debrided corneal epithelium with amniotic membrane graft over the exposed stroma as a single operation. During the follow-up periods, we monitored vision, intraocular pressure (IOP), presence of ocular pain, and postoperative complications associated with the implants. The mean follow up period was 8.4+/-3.2 months. IOP was well controlled after the intervention. The preoperative mean IOP was measured as 43.9+/-9.0 mmHg and lowered to 16.1+/-1.8 mmHg at the last visit and no complications associated with the implants were noted. Even though the improvement in vision was not prominent, the ocular surface stabilized rapidly and ocular pain associated with bullous keratopathy disappeared soon after surgery. Conclusively the use of amniotic membrane in conjunction with Ahmed valve implantation is an effective way to relieve ocular pain and lessen the chances of complications associated with the implant in patients with intractable glaucoma and bullous keratopathy.
ITRI-99-06 Editing logically complex discourse meanings

WYSIWYM (What You See Is What You Meant) is a new methodology for editing knowledge representations by interacting with a generated NL feedback text which presents both the knowledge already defined and the options for extending and modifying it. This paper concerns novel problems that arise when this methodology is extended to deal with certain familiar and supposedly well-understood semantic phenomena. The basics of WYSIWYM editing are briefly explained, followed by discussion of the problems to do with coreference and quantification and some partial solutions, including an experimental DRT-based prototype. Then we turn to more difficult problems in the area of quantification and sketch some directions in which solutions may be found.
Survey of attribute based encryption

In Attribute Based Encryption, a set of descriptive attributes is used as an identity to generate a secret key, as well as serving as the access structure that performs access control. It successfully integrates Encryption and Access Control and is ideal for sharing secrets among groups, especially in a Cloud environment. Most developed ABE schemes support key-policy or ciphertext-policy access control in addition to other features such as decentralized authority, efficient revocation and key delegation. This paper surveys mainstream papers, analyzes main features for desired ABE systems, and classifies them into different categories. With this high-level guidance, future researchers can treat these features as individual modules and select related ones to build their ABE systems on demand.
Policies to Internalize Reciprocal International Spillovers

An effective policy scheme to overcome the suboptimal low provision levels of global public goods is developed in this paper. By suggesting a decentralized approach to raise environmental public good provision levels we take account of the lack of a coercive global authority that is able to enforce efficient international environmental regulations. In our model individual regions voluntarily commence international negotiations on public good provision, which are accompanied by side-payments. These side-payments are financed by means of regional externality-correcting taxes. Side-payments and national tax rates are designed in a mutually dependent way. The decentralized scheme we recommend for approaching Pareto efficient Nash equilibria is based on the ideas of Coasean negotiations and Pigouvian taxes. As it is implementable for a wide class of Nash solutions, it is applicable to various international externality problems.
(k, n) threshold distributed key exchange for HIP based internet of things

Host Identity Protocol (HIP) emerges as the most suitable identification protocol for the Internet of Things. HIP not only provides identifier/locator split but also a key agreement procedure named HIP Base Exchange, which bootstraps security associations between HIP peers. However, the heterogeneous and decentralized nature of IoT architecture, coupling resource-constrained networks with powerful Internet, impedes the use of HIP Base Exchange on small devices due to its computationally expensive cryptographic operations. In this paper, we propose a (k, n) threshold distributed key exchange protocol designed to reduce the requirements of HIP Base Exchange, in order to be supported by resource-constrained nodes.
Performance of Various Feature Selection Techniques under Loaded Networks

Network traffic dataset has many features and all may not contribute in detection of threats. Rejecting irrelevant features may increase performance of IDS by reducing computational time. In this paper various available feature selection methods like Correlation feature selection, Chi Squared attribute evaluation, Consistency subset evaluation, filtered attribute evaluation, filtered subset evaluation, gain ratio attribute evaluation, information gain attribute evaluation, One RA attribute evaluation, Symmetrical uncert attribute evaluation are tested on three classifiers Naïve Bayes, J48 and PART by using Weka data mining and machine learning tool on UCI KDD CUP 1999 network traffic dataset. The feature selection methods are analyzed on parameters like accuracy and number of features selected out of total features. The result shows that almost same level of accuracy can be achieved by reducing features and hence less computational time.
Comparison of Risks Factors for Unplanned ICU Transfer after ED Admission in Patients with Infections and Those without Infections

Background. The objectives of this study were to compare the risk factors for unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) transfer after emergency department (ED) admission in patients with infections and those without infections and to explore the feasibility of using risk stratification tools for sepsis to derive a prediction system for such unplanned transfer. Methods. The ICU transfer group included 313 patients, while the control group included 736 patients randomly selected from those who were not transferred to the ICU. Candidate variables were analyzed for association with unplanned ICU transfer in the 1049 study patients. Results. Twenty-four variables were associated with unplanned ICU transfer. Sixteen (66.7%) of these variables displayed association in patients with infections and those without infections. These common risk factors included specific comorbidities, physiological responses, organ dysfunctions, and other serious symptoms and signs. Several common risk factors were statistically independent. Conclusions. The risk factors for unplanned ICU transfer in patients with infections were comparable to those in patients without infections. The risk factors for unplanned ICU transfer included variables from multiple dimensions that could be organized according to the PIRO (predisposition, insult/infection, physiological response, and organ dysfunction) model, providing the basis for the development of a predictive system.
Leveraging a Y 2 K Evaluation To Improve Information Systems Architecture

The cost of ensuring that information systems were prepared for the Year 2000 (Y2K) were enormous. The U.S. government spent an estimated $8.34 billion [1]. Once the cost borne by state and local governments, public utilities, and the commercial sector are included, the costs in the U.S. alone are staggering. When the Y2K costs from other countries are included, the estimated amount exceeds $3 trillion [2]. With the new millennium here, it appears that most of the potential problems were identified, although some fixes are still ongoing. One would hope, however, that organizations are able to recover more from these costs than just a positive statement "We can successfully operate our information systems in the new millennium? "