Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic Logic under Uncertainty

Probabilistic logic combines the capability of binary logic to express the structure of argument models with the capacity of probabilities to express degrees of truth of those arguments. The limitation of traditional probabilistic logic is that it is unable to express uncertainty about the probability values themselves. This paper provides a brief overview subjective logic which is a probabilistic logic that explicitly takes uncertainty about probability values into account. More specifically, we describe equivalent representations of uncertain probabilities, and their interpretations. Subjective logic is directly compatible with binary logic, probability calculus and classical probabilistic logic. The advantage of using subjective logic is that real world situations can be more realistically modelled, and that conclusions more correctly reflect the ignorance and uncertainties about the input arguments.
Power Analysis for Interleaving Experiments by Means of Offline Evaluation

Evaluation in information retrieval takes one of two forms: collection-based offline evaluation, and in-situ online evaluation. Collections constructed by the former methodology are reusable, and hence able to test the effectiveness of any experimental algorithm, while the latter requires a different experiment for every new algorithm. Due to this a funnel approach is often being used, with experimental algorithms being compared to the baseline in an online experiment only if they outperform the baseline in an offline experiment. One of the key questions in the design of online and offline experiments concerns the number of measurements required to detect a statistically significant difference between two algorithms. Power analysis can provide an answer to this question, however, it requires an a-priori knowledge of the difference in effectiveness to be detected, and the variance in the measurements. The variance is typically estimated using historical data, but setting a detectable difference prior to the experiment can lead to suboptimal, upper-bound results. In this work we make use of the funnel approach in evaluation and test whether the difference in the effectiveness of two algorithms measured by the offline experiment can inform the required number of impression of an online interleaving experiment. Our analysis on simulated data shows that the number of impressions required are correlated with the difference in the offline experiment, but at the same time widely vary for any given difference.
Identifying emergent behaviours from longitudinal web use

Laboratory studies present difficulties in the understanding of how usage evolves over time. Employed observations are obtrusive and not naturalistic. Our system employs a remote capture tool that provides longitudinal low-level interaction data. It is easily deployable into any Web site allowing deployments in-the-wild and is completely unobtrusive. Web application interfaces are designed assuming users' goals. Requirement specifications contain well defined use cases and scenarios that drive design and subsequent optimisations. Users' interaction patterns outside the expected ones are not considered. This results in an optimisation for a stylised user rather than a real one. A bottom-up analysis from low-level interaction data makes possible the emergence of users' tasks. Similarities among users can be found and solutions that are effective for real users can be designed. Factors such as learnability and how interface changes affect users are difficult to observe in laboratory studies. Our solution makes it possible, adding a longitudinal point of view to traditional laboratory studies. The capture tool is deployed in real world Web applications capturing in-situ data from users. These data serve to explore analysis and visualisation possibilities. We present an example of the exploration results with one Web application.
Evaluation of feature selection and model training strategies for object category recognition

Several methods for object category recognition in RGB-D images have been reported in literature. These methods are typically tested under the same conditions (which we can consider a “domain” in a restricted sense) such as viewing angles, distances to the object as well as lightening conditions on which they are trained. However, in practical applications one often has to deal with previously unseen domains. In this paper, we investigate the effect of domain change on the performance of object category recognition methods. We use the public RGB-D Object Dataset from Lai et al. [1] for training, and for testing we introduce the DLR-RGB-D dataset, representing a similar, but different domain. The data present in both datasets holds various object instances grouped into general object categories. Object category detectors are trained using the objects of one domain and tested on the objects of the other domain. We then explored how do different 3D features perform when the model trained on the source domain is applied on the target domain, and evaluated two feature selection strategies. In our experiments we show that a domain change can have significant impact on the model's accuracy, and present results for improving the results by increasing the variability of the objects in the training domain. Finally, we discuss the relevance of the descriptors and the properties they capture.
Towards a Semiformal Development Methodology for Embedded Systems

In recent days, the amount of functions has increased significantly in embedded products so that systems development methodologies play an important role to ensure the product’s quality, cost, and time. Furthermore, this complexity coupled with constantly evolving specifications, has led to propose a semiformal development methodology to support the building of embedded real-time systems. A platform-based design approach has been used to balance costs and time-to-market in relation to performance and functionality constraints. We performed three expressive case studies and we concluded that the proposed methodology significantly reduces design time and improves software modularity and reliability.
Using handheld pXRF to study medieval stained glass: A methodology using trace elements

The surfaces of 30 pieces of glass from panel 3b of the Great East Window of York Minster (1405-1408 CE) were analyzed by handheld portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and small samples from the same pieces were analyzed by electron microprobe (EPMA). Comparison of the two methods reveals significant divergences which are not systematic, particularly for elements lighter than Ti. Rather than a problem with pXRF calibration or correction software, the non-systematic error is attributable to the presence of a thin surface layer of weathered glass. Analysis of the depths of X-ray generation indicate that virtually all X-rays characteristic of Ca and K are generated within the top 50 µm of the glass. However, for heavier elements such as Rb, Sr and Zr, most emitted X-rays are generated below 100 µm. Using pXRF data for the heavier elements, it is possible to replicate the compositional groupings identified by quantitative EPMA. White glass in the window is likely to have originated in England, while colored glasses were probably obtained from the Continent. The alkali contents of the green and yellow glasses appear to have been manipulated to generate their colors. Glass which is medieval in technology but not original to the panel was identified. In particular, zirconium proved a useful indicator of glassmaking regions, and rubidium and strontium were more sensitive to differences between batches, which has interesting implications for future work.
The design and evolution of TurboTurtle, a collaborative microworld for exploring Newtonian physics

TurboTurtle is a dynamicmulti-usermicroworld for the exploration of Newtonian physics. With TurboTurtle, students can alter the attributes of the simulation environment, such as gravity, friction, and presence or absence of walls. Students explore the microworld by manipulating a variety of parameters, and learn concepts by studying the behaviours and interactions that occur. TurboTurtle has evolved into a “group-aware” system where several students, each on their own computer, can simultaneously control the microworld and gesture around the shared display. TurboTurtle's design rationale includes concepts such as equal opportunity controls, simulation timing, concrete vs. abstract controls, recoverability, and how strictly views should be shared between students. Teachers can also add structure to the group's activities by setting the simulation environment to an interesting state, which includes a set of problems and questions. Observations of pairs of young children using TurboTurtle highlight extremes in collaboration styles, from conflict to smooth interaction. Finally, the technical work in making TurboTurtle group-aware is slight, primarily because it was built with a groupware toolkit called GroupKit.
Efficient Multi-Function Data Sharing and Searching Mechanism for Cloud-Based Encrypted Data

Outsourcing a huge amount of local data to remote cloud servers that has been become a significant trend for industries. Leveraging the considerable cloud storage space, industries can also put forward the outsourced data to cloud computing. How to collect the data for computing without loss of privacy and confidentiality is one of the crucial security problems. Searchable encryption technique has been proposed to protect the confidentiality of the outsourced data and the privacy of the corresponding data query. This technique, however, only supporting search functionality, may not be fully applicable to real-world cloud computing scenario whereby secure data search, share as well as computation are needed. This work presents a novel encrypted cloud-based data share and search system without loss of user privacy and data confidentiality. The new system enables users to make conjunctive keyword query over encrypted data, but also allows encrypted data to be efficiently and multiply shared among different users without the need of the "download-decrypt-then-encrypt" mode. As of independent interest, our system provides secure keyword update, so that users can freely and securely update data's keyword field. It is worth mentioning that all the above functionalities do not incur any expansion of ciphertext size, namely, the size of ciphertext remains constant during being searched, shared and keyword-updated. The system is proven secure and meanwhile, the efficiency analysis shows its great potential in being used in large-scale database.
Evaluation of Low Temperature Grown Influenza A2/Hong Kong Virus in Volunteers

Summary A strain of A2/Hong Kong/68 virus was adapted to growth at 25° in calf kidney tissue culture and a virus suspension was prepared for administration to volunteers after a total of 10 passages at 25°, including 2 terminal dilution purifications. The low temperature grown virus acquired a temperature sensitive defect which restricted its growth at 40 °, a temperature at which the wild-type virus grew without restriction. The low temperature-adapted virus appeared to exhibit reduced infectivity for man, but was not attenuated since illness occurred when sufficient virus was administered to infect all volunteers.
Phage 3396 from a Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis Pathovar May Have Its Origins in Streptococcus pyogenes

ABSTRACT Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis strains (group G streptococcus [GGS]) are largely defined as commensal organisms, which are closely related to the well-defined human pathogen, the group A streptococcus (GAS). While lateral gene transfers are emerging as a common theme in these species, little is known about the mechanisms and role of these transfers and their effect on the population structure of streptococci in nature. It is now becoming evident that bacteriophages are major contributors to the genotypic diversity of GAS and, consequently, are pivotal to the GAS strain structure. Furthermore, bacteriophages are strongly associated with altering the pathogenic potential of GAS. In contrast, little is know about phages from GGS and their role in the population dynamics of GGS. In this study we report the first complete genome sequence of a GGS phage, Φ3396. Exhibiting high homology to the GAS phage Φ315. 1, the chimeric nature of Φ3396 is unraveled to reveal evidence of extensive ongoing genetic diversity and dissemination of streptococcal phages in nature. Furthermore, we expand on our recent findings to identify inducible Φ3396 homologues in GAS from a region of endemicity for GAS and GGS infection. Together, these findings provide new insights into not only the population structure of GGS but also the overall population structure of the streptococcal genus and the emergence of pathogenic variants.
Architectural considerations in integrated modular avionics (IMA) system safety case construction

This article presents a systematic approach to using a safety argument notation-GSN-to construct a safety case for IMA systems. Starting from a goal-structured representation of the safety arguments, we have shown how the FDAS goals (safety requirements) can be supported by the available evidence. We have also defined some scenarios to help the revision of the safety case that is already constructed. There are several relatively new certification standards mentioned in this article related to IMA system certification, and the avionics industry has little experience in complying with them individually. It is a challenge for integrators that use those certification standards within a unified framework through GSN, and it will be the research direction of our future work.
An Agent-Based Model of Centralized Institutions, Social Network Technology, and Revolution

This paper sheds light on the general mechanisms underlying large-scale social and institutional change. We employ an agent-based model to test the impact of authority centralization and social network technology on preference falsification and institutional change. We find that preference falsification is increasing with centralization and decreasing with social network range. This leads to greater cascades of preference revelation and thus more institutional change in highly centralized societies and this effect is exacerbated at greater social network ranges. An empirical analysis confirms the connections that we find between institutional centralization, social radius, preference falsification, and institutional change.
Effect of Soil Ameliorators on Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Communities that Colonize Seedlings of Pinus densiflora in Abandoned Coal Mine Spoils

In this study, the effect of soil ameliorators on ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities in coal mine spoils was investigated. Organic fertilizers and slaked lime were applied as soil ameliorators in 3 abandoned coal mine spoils. One year after the initial treatment, roots of Pinus densiflora seedlings were collected and the number of ECM species, colonization rate, and species diversity were assessed. The results showed that the soil ameliorators significantly increased ECM colonization on the roots of P. densiflora. The results suggest that soil ameliorators can have a positive effect on ECM fungi in terms of growth of host plants and show the potential use of soil ameliorator treatment for revegetation with ECM-colonized pine seedlings in the coal mine spoils.
Comparing entropy measures of idea links in design protocols: Linkography entropy measurement and analysis of differently conditioned design sessions

Abstract This paper explores using Shannon's entropy of information to measure linkographs of 12 design sessions that involved six architects in two different experimental conditions. The aim is to find a quantitative tool to interpret the linkographs. This study examines if the differences in the design processes and the design outcomes can be reflected in the entropic interpretations. The results show that the overall entropy of one design condition is slightly higher than the other. Further, there are indications that the change of entropy might reflect design outcomes.
Requirement of transcription factor NFAT in developing atrial myocardium

Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) is a ubiquitous regulator involved in multiple biological processes. Here, we demonstrate that NFAT is temporally required in the developing atrial myocardium between embryonic day 14 and P0 (birth). Inhibition of NFAT activity by conditional expression of dominant-negative NFAT causes thinning of the atrial myocardium. The thin myocardium exhibits severe sarcomere disorganization and reduced expression of cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin-T (cTnT). Promoter analysis indicates that NFAT binds to and regulates transcription of the cTnI and the cTnT genes. Thus, regulation of cytoskeletal protein gene expression by NFAT may be important for the structural architecture of the developing atrial myocardium.
Concerning Web-based e-learning at a Maritime Higher Education Institution: Case Study

The purpose of this article is threefold. Firstly, it considers the real needs which led to the idea of conceiving and developing new study program supported by web-based e-learning system (WELS) at the Faculty of Maritime Studies (University of Montenegro) as maritime higher education and training institution. In this part of the article the collaborative projects which enhanced this idea and its implementation are described briefly, as well. Secondly, the results of the polls realized among certain number of involved students, teachers, and experts in related activities, are presented and discussed in order to identify main features along with pros and cons of the WELS being here examined. And, thirdly, some empirically based suggestions when it comes to choose the appropriate software tools for creating more interesting, engaging, inciting, and thus of higher quality instructional materials being available through WELS, are given.
Ultrafine particles in the atmosphere

Measurement of Number, Mass and Size Distribution of Particles in the Atmosphere (R M Harrison et al.) Overview of Methods for Analysing Single Ultrafine Particles (A D Maynard) Particles from Internal Combustion Engines - What We Need to Know (N Collings & B R Graskow) Ultrafine Particles in Workplace Atmospheres (J H Vincent & C F Clement) The Surface Activity of Ultrafine Particles (D A Jefferson) Toxicology of Ultrafine Particles: In Vivo Studies (G Oberd/rster) Ultrafine Particles: Mechanisms of Lung Injury (K Donaldson et al.) Differential Epidemiology of Ambient Aerosols (H R Anderson) and other articles.
QoS-aware flexible traffic engineering with OpenFlow-assisted agile IP-forwarding interchanging

In this paper, we propose to use IP-forwarding interchanging (i.e., exchanging packets between IPv4 and IPv6 according to the network status) enabled by OpenFlow to realize quality-of-service (QoS) aware flexible traffic engineering (F-TE) in a hybrid network where IPv4 and IPv6 coexist. Specifically, we have different IP domains interconnected by OpenFlow switches managed by a centralized controller, and design the network system to facilitate online, adaptive and per-flow-based IP-forwarding interchanging for link utilization optimization with the considerations on applications' QoS requirements. We implement the design in a semi-practical network testbed, and demonstrate the advantages of F-TE with experiments that include simultaneous video streaming and file transfer.
Towards supporting awareness of indirect conflicts across software configuration management workspaces

Workspace awareness techniques have been proposed to enhance the effectiveness of software configuration management systems in coordinating parallel work. These techniques share information regarding ongoing changes, so potential conflicts can be detected during development, instead of when changes are completed and committed to a repository. To date, however, workspace awareness techniques only address direct conflicts, which arise due to concurrent changes to the same artifact, but are unable to support indirect conflicts, which arise due to ongoing changes in one artifact affecting concurrent changes in an-other artifact. In this paper, we present a new, cross-workspace awareness technique that supports one particular kind of indirect conflict, namely those indirect conflicts caused by changes to class signatures. We introduce our approach, discuss its implementation in our workspace awareness tool Palantír, illustrate its potential through two pilot studies, and lay out how to generalize the technique to a broader set of indirect conflicts
Calcium antagonists for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

BACKGROUND Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm causes bleeding into the subarachnoid space, which may lead to spasm of the cerebral arteries and ischaemic damage to the brain. Prophylactic use of calcium antagonists in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms might reduce the risk of ischaemic damage. OBJECTIVES This review aimed to determine whether calcium antagonists improve outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). SEARCH STRATEGY The Cochrane Stroke Group trials register (last searched: March 1999) plus hand searching and personal contacts with trialists and pharmaceutical companies marketing calcium antagonists. SELECTION CRITERIA All completed, unconfounded, truly randomised controlled trials comparing any calcium antagonist with control, within ten days of SAH onset. Eleven trials that met the inclusion criteria were included in the overview. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Trialists were contacted to obtain missing information. MAIN RESULTS We analysed 11 trials totalling 2804 randomized patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (1376 in the treatment and 1428 in the control group). The drugs analyzed were: nimodipine (eight trials, 1574 patients), nicardipine (two trials, 954 patients), and AT877 (one trial, 276 patients). In 92% of the patients aneurysms were confirmed by angiography or autopsy. Overall, calcium antagonists significantly reduce the risk of poor outcome after subarachnoid haemorrhage: relative risk (RR) 0.82 (95% CI 0. 72-0.93); the absolute risk reduction was 5.1%, the corresponding number of patients needed to treat to prevent a single poor outcome event is 20. For oral nimodipine alone the RR was 0.69 (0.58-0.84). The RR of death on treatment with calcium antagonists was 0.94 (95% CI 0.80-1.10), that of ischaemic neurological deficits 0.67 (95% CI 0.59-0.76), and that of CT-scan documented cerebral infarction 0.80 (95% CI 0.71-0.89). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Calcium antagonists reduce the proportion of patients with poor outcome and ischemic neurological deficits after aneurysmal SAH; the risk reduction for case fatality alone is not statistically significant. The results for 'poor outcome' are statistically robust, but depend mainly on trials with oral nimodipine; the evidence for nicardipine and AT877 is inconclusive. The intermediate factors through which nimodipine exerts its beneficial effect after aneurysmal SAH remain uncertain.