Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The lazy functional side of logic programming

In this paper we show, among other things, that logical structures such as di erence lists have a natural counterpart in lazy functional programs; i.e. that most programs using di erence-lists are functional in nature. This shows immediately that many common non-well-moded programs are functional in nature and that well-modedness is thus not a necessary attribute of those logic programs behaving functionally. We do this by employing a straightforward { literal { translation of moded logic programs .
Reaching Rural Patients through Otolaryngology Visiting Consultant Clinics

Providing otolaryngology care to rural populations is a major challenge. In this study, we focus on rural outreach by the otolaryngology workforce in Iowa, a state with a high proportion of rural residents. Using data from 2013, we find that almost half (46%) of Iowa-based otolaryngologists participate in outreach. Along with colleagues from adjoining states, Iowa otolaryngologists staffed more than 2100 in-person clinic days in 76 mainly rural sites. This system of rural outreach has expanded access from 20 to 85 of the 99 counties in Iowa. These efforts improve access for more than 1 million residents out of a total population of 3 million. However, this improved level of access comes at a cost as visiting otolaryngologists drove an estimated 17,000 miles per month. This established approach to serving rural patients may be negatively impacted by changes under the Affordable Care Act.
Stochastic Attribute-Value Grammars

Probabilistic analogues of regular and context-free grammars are well known in computational linguistics, and currently the subject of intensive research. To date, however, no satisfactory probabilistic analogue of attribute-value grammars has been proposed: previous attempts have failed to define an adequate parameter-estimation algorithm.In the present paper, I define stochastic attribute-value grammars and give an algorithm for computing the maximum-likelihood estimate of their parameters. The estimation algorithm is adapted from Della Pietra, Della Pietra, and Lafferty (1995). To estimate model parameters, it is necessary to compute the expectations of certain functions under random fields. In the application discussed by Della Pietra, Della Pietra, and Lafferty (representing English orthographic constraints), Gibbs sampling can be used to estimate the needed expectations. The fact that attribute-value grammars generate constrained languages makes Gibbs sampling inapplicable, but I show that sampling can be done using the more general Metropolis-Hastings algorithm.
Analogy in systems management: A theoretical inquiry

This theoretical analysis of the intuitive and diffuse characteristics of analogical reasoning processes is the first step in a research effort intended to lead to: understanding of common (and possibly costly) errors, pitfalls, travails, and problem-solving impediments; possible recommendations for improvements to organizational structures, control and coordination processes, and management information flows, and guidelines for a generalized analogical reasoning support framework (e.g., a handbook, a knowledge bank design, and/or even a software package/artificial intelligence program).
A Near-Optimal Solution to a Two-Dimensional Cutting Stock Problem

We present an asymptotic fully polynomial approximation scheme for strip-packing, or packing rectangles into a rectangle of fixed width and minimum height, a classicalNP-hard cutting-stock problem. The algorithm, based on a new linear-programming relaxation, finds a packing ofn rectangles whose total height is within a factor of (1 +e) of optimal (up to an additive term), and has running time polynomial both in n and in 1/ e.
A rapid prototyping environment for distributed reconfigurable systems

In the last decade FPGAs have emerged as the ultimate solution to reduce the time to market and ensure a long time on the market for digital products. Although the design time of applications in FPGAs is still shorter than those of ASICs, programming FPGAs is still a complex exercise reserved to electrical and electronics engineers. Programming FPGAs requires quite a long time to learn and understand the CAD tools. This limits the use of FPGA in other fields like mechanical engineering and computer science which could benefit from the advantages of those devices. For this purpose, simple and efficient design tools are required for people working in other fields and willing to use FPGAs to solve some problems. We present a new design environment called CoreMap, for prototyping and programming on distributed reconfigurable systems. The CoreMap provides the possibility to implement circuits in FPGA with out knowledge of hardware design and CAD tools. In contrast to many tools which seek the same objective, the CoreMap does not generate a HDL code to be compiled by a CAD tool. The CoreMap processes a combined placement and core-based synthesis to implement dataflow graphs in FPGAs. CoreMap also uses techniques based on the computation of eigenvalues to partition and place large designs temporally on one FPGA or spatially on more FPGAs.
AP4.3 - Silver nanoplates on graphite substrates for ultrasensitive and label free Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) based detection of organophosphorous nerve agents in gas phase

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based sensor has been developed for the label-free real-time gas phase detection of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP); a surrogate molecule of the Gseries nerve agents which are of particular concern due to its extreme toxicity, persistence and previous deployment. In particular, SERS substrates based on high density Ag nanoplates (LSPR at 700 nm) monolayers on graphite have been straightforwardly attained by electrostatically-driven adsorption technique. Unlike Au based counterparts, SERS measurements suggest the chemisorption of DMMP molecules to the Ag nanoplate surface, eventually leading to photoinduced decomposition products. These SERS substrates have demonstrated the capability for the reliable identification of DMMP in gas phase at 2.5 ppmV, with the advantages of simple operation and low cost.
Multiparametric MR Imaging with High-Resolution Dynamic Contrast-enhanced and Diffusion-weighted Imaging at 7 T Improves the Assessment of Breast Tumors: A Feasibility Study.

PURPOSE To ascertain whether multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the breast in combination with dynamic contrast material-enhanced (DCE) imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at 7 T is feasible and improves diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS From December 2011 to December 2013, 40 patients with suspicious breast lesions were included in this institutional review board-approved prospective study. Before bilateral multiparametric MR imaging of the breast at 7 T, all patients gave written informed consent. Lesions were classified according to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) and assessed for apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values by two readers independently. For combined analysis of DCE MR imaging and DWI, the BI-RADS-adapted reading algorithm, which adapted ADC thresholds to the BI-RADS assessment category, was used. Diagnostic values of multiparametric, DCE MR imaging, and DWI were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed. Image quality and interreader agreement were assessed. Histopathologic results were used as the highest standard. RESULTS There were 29 malignant and 17 benign lesions (range, 6-95 mm; mean, 23.3 mm). Multiparametric MR imaging yielded a sensitivity of 100% (29 of 29 lesions), a specificity of 88.2% (16 of 18 lesions), and an area under the curve of 0.941, which was greater than for DCE MR imaging (P = .003), which had a sensitivity of 100% (29 of 29 lesions), a specificity of 53.2% (nine of 17 lesions), and an area under the curve of 0.765. DWI had a sensitivity of 93.1% (27 of 29 lesions), a specificity of 88.2% (15 of 17 lesions), and an area under the curve of 0.907. Multiparametric MR imaging at 7 T of the breast eliminated all false-negative findings and reduced false-positive findings, from eight false-positive findings with DCE MR imaging to two false-positive findings. Thus, if used clinically, 7-T multiparametric MR imaging may have potentially obviated unnecessary breast biopsies in six of eight lesions (P = .031). Multiparametric MR imaging demonstrated either excellent or good image quality and interreader agreement (κ = 0.89-1.00). CONCLUSION The clinical use of 7-T multiparametric MR imaging is feasible, provides good or excellent image quality, and has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Logical Characterization of Bisimulation Metrics

Bisimulation metrics provide a robust and accurate approach to study the behavior of nondeterministic probabilistic processes. In this paper, we propose a logical characterization of bisimulation metrics based on a simple probabilistic variant of the Hennessy-Milner logic. Our approach is based on the novel notions of mimicking formulae and distance between formulae. The former are a weak version of the well known characteristic formulae and allow us to characterize also (ready) probabilistic simulation and probabilistic bisimilarity. The latter is a 1-bounded pseudometric on formulae that mirrors the Hausdorff and Kantorovich lifting the defining bisimilarity pseudometric. We show that the distance between two processes equals the distance between their own mimicking formulae.
Scalable Database Logging for Multicores

Modern databases, guaranteeing atomicity and durability, store transaction logs in a volatile, central log buffer and then flush the log buffer to non-volatile storage by the write-ahead logging principle. Buffering logs in central log store has recently faced a severe multicore scalability problem, and log flushing has been challenged by synchronous I/O delay. We have designed and implemented a fast and scalable logging method, Eleda, that can migrate a surge of transaction logs from volatile memory to stable storage without risking durable transaction atomicity. Our efficient implementation of Eleda is enabled by a highly concurrent data structure, Grasshopper, that eliminates a multicore scalability problem of centralized logging and enhances system utilization in the presence of synchronous I/O delay. We implemented Eleda and plugged it to WiredTiger and Shore-MT by replacing their log managers. Our evaluation showed that Eleda-based transaction systems improve performance up to 71 x, thus showing the applicability of Eleda.
Real-time disparity estimation algorithm for stereo camera systems

This paper proposes a real-time stereo matching algorithm using GPU programming. The likelihood model is implemented using GPU programming for real-time operation. And the prior model is proposed to improve the accuracy of disparity estimation. First, the likelihood matching based on rank transform is implemented in GPU programming. The shared memory handling in graphic hardware is introduced in calculating the likelihood model. The prior model considers the smoothness of disparity map and is defined as a pixel-wise energy function using adaptive interaction among neighboring disparities. The disparity is determined by minimizing the joint energy function which combines the likelihood model with prior model. These processes are performed in the multi-resolution approach. The disparity map is interpolated using the reliability of likelihood model and color-based similarity in the neighborhood. This paper evaluates the proposed approach with the Middlebury stereo images. According to the experiments, the proposed algorithm shows good estimation accuracy over 30 frames/second for 640×480 image and 60 disparity range. The proposed disparity estimation algorithm is applied to real-time stereo camera system such as 3-D image display, depth-based object extraction, 3-D rendering, and so on.
Geometry Guided Multi-Scale Depth Map Fusion via Graph Optimization

In depth discontinuous and untextured regions, depth maps created by multiple view stereopsis are with heavy noises, but existing depth map fusion methods cannot handle it explicitly. To tackle the problem, two novel strategies are proposed: 1) a more discriminative fusion method, which is based on geometry consistency, measuring the consistency, and stability of surface geometry computed on both partial and global surfaces, different from traditional methods only using visibility consistency; 2) a graph optimization method which fuses pyramids of depth maps as mutual complementary information is available in different scales, and differs from existing multi-scale fusion methods. The method considers both sampling scale of a point and relations among points, and is proven to be solvable by graph cuts. Experimental results verify the superior performance of the proposed method to the traditional visibility consistency-based methods, and the proposed method is also compared favorably with a number of state-of-the-art methods. Moreover, the proposed method achieves the highest completeness among all the methods compared.
Multiple beamforming with source localization based on CSP analysis

In this paper, a method is investigated for using an array of microphones to capture a high-quality recording of voice under reverberation. In the past, multiple beamforming has been proposed by Flanagan's group as a method for efficiently suppressing reverberation. However, because this multiple beamforming method computes the arrival positions of the sound and its reflections based on the prior knowledge of the shape of the room and the position of the target sound source, it is not suited to practical applications. In this paper, a method of multiple beamforming is proposed in which the source positions of the sound and its reflections are localized without using prior knowledge of the shape of the room or the position of the target sound source. The effectiveness of the proposed method was evaluated in a simulation experiment using the image method and in an experiment in an actual hallway environment. First, an experiment was run to localize the positions of the sources of the sound and its reflections under a condition in which both the shape of the room and the source position of the sound were unknown. As the result, it was found that the localization error for the source position of the sound was small. Furthermore, although the localization errors for the source positions of the reflections were large, the localized reflection paths were found to be approximately equal to the true reflection paths. Next, the output signal from the proposed method was evaluated based on SNR. The result demonstrated that multiple beamforming is more effective than single beamforming. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 34(5): 69–80, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1204
Analysis of proppant particles porosity based on microCT image processing

The proppant is a granular material with a typical size of 0.2 to 1.2 mm. It is used to prevent the closure of fractures in the reservoir created by hydraulic fracturing procedure, which is actively used in the oil and gas industry. Some types of proppant are manufactured from porous technical ceramics. Presence of internal voids can dramatically decrease the proppant grain mechanical strength and consequently proppant pack conductivity under natural stress. For a detailed study of proppant particles’ internal porosity structure and its relation to the pack’s strength, we applied X-ray microtomography (microCT), which allows to observe this structure non-destructively. In the work, we presented our approaches for digital analysis of reconstructed 3D microCT images for studying the internal voids and the homogeneity of their distribution inside the proppant. We used an automatic thresholding for primary segmentation of pores and particles. We apply 3D marker-controlled watershed to separate individual proppant particles. We propose features for characterization of radial and layered porosity distribution for each particle and homogeneity evaluation. The correctness of our method was tested on synthetic models. Current results indicate probable dependence of proppant strength properties on its internal porosity, but not on the homogeneity of porosity distribution.
Assessing internet access and use in a medically underserved population: implications for providing enhanced health information services.

BACKGROUND The relationship between health information seeking, patient engagement and health literacy is not well understood. This is especially true in medically underserved populations, which are often viewed as having limited access to health information. OBJECTIVE To improve communication between an urban health centre and the community it serves, a team of library and information science researchers undertook an assessment of patients' level and methods of access to and use of the Internet. METHODS Data were collected in 53 face-to-face anonymous interviews with patients at the centre. Interviews were tape-recorded for referential accuracy, and data were analysed to identify patterns of access and use. RESULTS Seventy-two percentage of study participants reported having access to the Internet through either computers or cell phones. Barriers to Internet access were predominantly lack of equipment or training rather than lack of interest. Only 21% of those with Internet access reported using the Internet to look for health information. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that lack of access to the Internet in itself is not the primary barrier to seeking health information in this population and that the digital divide exists not at the level of information access but rather at the level of information use.
Exploring African Tone Scales

Key-finding is a central topic in Western music analysis and development of MIR tools. However, most approaches rely on the Western 12-tone scale, which is not universally used. African music does not follow a fixed tone scale. In order to classify and study African tone scales, we developed a system in which the pitch is first analyzed on a continuous scale. Peak analysis is then applied on these data to extract the actual scale used. This system has been applied to a selection of African music, it allows us to look for similarities using cross-correlation. Thus it provides an interesting tool for query-by-example and database management in collections of ethnic music which can not be simply classified according to keys. Next to this the data can be used for ethnomusicological research. The study of the intervals used in this collection, e.g., gives us evidence for Western influence, with recent recordings having a tendency to use more regular intervals.
Acute and Long-term Responses to Different Rest Intervals in Low-load Resistance Training

Abstract We investigated the effects of low-load resistance training to failure performed with different rest intervals on acute hormonal responses and long-term muscle and strength gains. In the acute study, 14 participants were assigned to either a short rest (S, 30 s) or long rest (L, 150 s) protocol at 40% one-repetition maximum. Blood samples were taken before and after the workout. Both groups showed significant (p<0.05) increases in growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 immediately post-workout. In the longitudinal study, the same protocol as in the acute study was performed 2 times per week for 8 weeks by 21 volunteers. Both groups showed significant increases in triceps (S: 9.8±8.8%, L: 10.6±9.6%, p<0.05) and thigh (S: 5.7±4.7%, L: 8.3±6.4%, p<0.05) cross-sectional area. One-repetition maximum also significantly increased for the bench press (S: 9.9±6.9%, L: 6.5±5.8%, p<0.05) and squat (S: 5.2±6.7%, L: 5.4±3.5%, p<0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that acute hormonal responses, as well as chronic changes in muscle hypertrophy and strength in low-load training to failure are independent of the rest interval length.
Bond strength evaluation of heat treated Cu-Al wire bonding

Bond strength evaluation of wire bonding in microchips is the key study in any wire bonding mechanism. The quality of the wire bond interconnection relates very closely to the reliability of the microchip during performance of its function in any application. In many reports, concerns regarding the reliability of the microchip are raised due to formation of void at the wire-bond pad bonding interface, predominantly after high temperature storage (HTS) annealing conditions. In this report, the quality of wire bonds prepared at different conditions, specifically annealed at different HTS durations are determined by measurements of the strength of the interface between the bond wire and the bond pad. The samples are tested in pull test and bond shear test. It was observed that the higher bonding temperature as well as the longer duration of HTS increased the bond strength. This is represented through the analysis of the measurements of ball shear strength. This is due to the fact that higher bonding temperature and longer HTS promoted better growth of the Cu-Al IMC layer. A transmission electron microscopy - energy dispersive X-ray analysis (TEM-EDX) has been carried out to observe the formation of the Cu-Al IMC layer in the sample.
Aerobic fitness and obesity: relationship to cerebral white matter integrity in the brain of active and sedentary older adults

Objective Aerobic fitness (VO2 peak) and obesity risk (OR) may impact brain health. This study examined hemispheric and segment specific relationships between VO2 peak, OR and cerebral white-matter (CWM) integrity in the cingulum brain region in healthy older adults. Methods Fifteen subjects (66±6 years) completed VO2 peak testing and MRI of the brain. OR was determined via body mass index (BMI) and abdominal girth. MRI analysis was performed with a structural 3D T1 MP-Rage and diffusion tensor imaging technique (DTI, 21 directions, repeated four times) on a 3.0 T MR imaging unit. CWM integrity indices, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), were computed from the tensors. The anterior, middle and posterior cingulum segments were analysed on both sides of the brain. Partial correlations (age and gender controlled) and standard multiple regressions were used to determine significant associations and unique contributions to CWM integrity. Results VO2 peak was moderately related to FA in the left middle cingulum segment (r partial=0.573, p=0.041) and explained 28.5% of FA's total variance (p=0.10). Abdominal girth (r partial=−0.764, p=0.002) and BMI (r partial=−0.690, p=0.009) were inversely related to FA in the right posterior cingulum (RPC) segment. Abdominal girth and BMI uniquely explained 53.9% of FA's total variance (p=0.012) and 43.9% (p=0.040), respectively, in the RPC. Conclusion Higher aerobic fitness and lower obesity risk are related to greater CWM integrity but not in the same cingulum segments.