Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Optimization Framework for Propagation of Query-Document Features by Query Similarity Functions

It is well known that a great number of query--document features which significantly improve the quality of ranking for popular queries, however, do not provide any benefit for new or rare queries since there is typically not enough data associated with those queries that is required to reliably compute the values of those features. It is a common practice to propagate the values of such features from popular to tail queries, if the queries are similar according to some predefined query similarity functions. In this paper, we propose new algorithms that facilitate and increase the effectiveness of this propagation. Given a query similarity function and a query--document relevance feature, we introduce two different approaches (linear weighting approach and tree-based approach) to learn a function of values of the similarity function and values of the feature for the similar queries w.r. t. the given document. The propagated value of the feature equals the value of the obtained function for the given query--document pair.
Akt Contributes to Neuroprotection by Hypothermia against Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Activation of the Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) kinase pathway can be neuroprotective after stroke. Akt is activated by growth factors via a phosphorylation-dependent pathway involving the kinases phosphoinositide 3 (PI3) kinase and phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) and is negatively regulated by phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN). Akt kinase blocks apoptosis by phosphorylating the substrates forkhead transcription factor (FKHR) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). We found that intra-ischemic hypothermia (30°C) reduced infarct size and improved functional outcomes up to 2 months. Changes in phosphorylation levels of Akt, as measured by Western blots and immunostaining, differed from levels of Akt activity measured in an in vitro assay in normothermic animals. Hypothermia blocked most of these changes and maintained Akt activity. Inhibition of PI3/Akt enlarged infarct size in hypothermic animals. Hypothermia improved phosphorylation of PDK1, PTEN, and FKHR. Hypothermia did not improve GSK3β (Ser9) phosphorylation but blocked the nuclear translocation of phosphorylated β-catenin (Ser33/37/Thr41) downstream of GSK3β. Phosphorylation levels of PTEN, Akt, and Akt substrate decreased before apoptotic cytochrome c release and degradation of microtubule-associated protein-2, a marker of neuronal survival. Hypothermia may protect from ischemic damage in part by preserving Akt activity and attenuating the apoptotic effects of PTEN, PDK1, and FKHR.
A Variational Bayesian Approach for Image Restoration—Application to Image Deblurring With Poisson–Gaussian Noise

In this paper, a methodology is investigated for signal recovery in the presence of non-Gaussian noise. In contrast with regularized minimization approaches often adopted in the literature, in our algorithm the regularization parameter is reliably estimated from the observations. As the posterior density of the unknown parameters is analytically intractable, the estimation problem is derived in a variational Bayesian framework where the goal is to provide a good approximation to the posterior distribution in order to compute posterior mean estimates. Moreover, a majorization technique is employed to circumvent the difficulties raised by the intricate forms of the non-Gaussian likelihood and of the prior density. We demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach through comparisons with state-of-the-art techniques that are specifically tailored to signal recovery in the presence of mixed Poisson–Gaussian noise. Results show that the proposed approach is efficient and achieves performance comparable with other methods where the regularization parameter is manually tuned from the ground truth.
Efficient Grapheme-phoneme Alignment for Japanese

Current approaches to the grapheme-phoneme alignment problem for Japanese achieve good accuracy, but are extremely computationally expensive. In this paper we evaluate various modifications to previous algorithms for both the alignment and okurigana detection subtasks. The best algorithm achieved accuracy of 96.2% for the combined task on a limited data set, and was significantly more efficient than previous approaches.
Effects of Grandchildren’s Love Language Program on Depression among Thai Older Adults

Depression in older adults has remained 1 of the major detrimental public health problems both worldwide and in Thailand. Among the myriad healing approaches, mental attachment on the basis of grandchildren’s love language is favorably perceived by Thai older adults with depression. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effects of grandchildren’s love language program on reducing depression among Thai older adults. Eighty Thai older adults with mild to moderate depression levels received the so-called “Love Language of Grandchildren Program” (n = 40) and usual care (n = 40). The Nine-Question Scale (9Q) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) were distributed at the pre- and post-treatment and at the 12 and 24-week of the follow-ups. The treatment effectiveness was evaluated by using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA). The 9Q and HRSD scores revealed a significantly neutralized depression for those in love language of grandchildren program and, on the other hand, no decline was observed in the usual care’s participants. Love language of grandchildren program effectively reduced 9Q and HRSD symptoms of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical conditions respectively. It was also more effective than the usual care in reducing mild to moderate symptoms of depression (p < 0.05). The findings provide better understanding on how grandchildren approach to prevent depression for Thai older adults in a family and community, and can be used to guide further capacity development for grandchildren who provide helping to this group.
Robust MMSE video decoding: theory and practical implementations

A novel video decoding algorithm based on the minimum mean square error (MMSE) criterion is investigated in this research. To alleviate the effect of transmission errors, we first develop an error propagation model to estimate and track the mean square error (MSE) of each pixel in the decoder. Then, the proposed video decoding algorithm adjusts the reconstruction of each pixel adaptively according to fluctuating channel conditions. More specifically, the decoder reconstructs a pixel in the kth frame F/sub k/ by using a weighted sum of two pixels in frames F/sub k-1/ and F/sub k-2/, respectively, where their weights are adaptively selected to minimize the MSE of the reconstructed pixel by using the error propagation model. Extensive simulation results performed on standard H.263 bit streams demonstrate that the MMSE-based concealment algorithm yields a better performance than the conventional method, even if the encoder transmits a single motion vector per block. Moreover, the proposed MMSE decoding algorithm significantly enhances the error resilient capability of the double-vector motion compensation (DMC) algorithm, where two motion vectors are sent per block.
When Clustering Shows Optimality towards Analyzing Stuck-at Faults in Channels of On-chip Networks

With the ever shrinking dimension of a chip on a die, it is evident that the channels of on-chip networks (NoCs) are often exposed to logic level manufacturing faults such as stuck-at faults. The faults coercively put the networks into miscellaneous system level failures like packet corruption, misrouting, and dropping. Thus, the reliability has become a special interest. Additionally, the performance of the NoCs is somewhat deviated. This paper proposes a distributed and time-efficient on-line test model that addresses stuck-at faults in interswitch and local channels of NoCs as well as analyze the effect of the faults on various performance metrics. Fault simulations achieve 100% coverage metrics and show that the proposed test model takes same test clocks to detect the faults in larger NoCs. Further, online evaluation of the proposed test model reveals that it speeds more than 16 times up on a set of NoCs. Simultaneously, we observe packet latency is improved to 20.17–44.45% while energy consumption by a packet flit is reduced to 16.96–39.40% on these NoCs. The improvements may grow with NoC size.
Photos to Remember, Photos to Forget

Each year makes it easier to accumulate large numbers of photos and videos in the social and personal digital space. Their long-term existence is mostly driven by chance rather than by clear guidelines or rules for archiving them. Thus, unfortunately, cases of nonintended both the exposure and disappearance of personal photos happen much too often. This article mainly focuses on this question: What should we remember and thus archive, and what can we forget? The authors describe the European project ForgetIT (www.forgetIT-project.eu), which is investigating the introduction of a form of digital or managed forgetting into information management environments. The project focuses on the idea of making more conscious decisions about which content is really important, and thus should be preserved safely, and which content we can (and should) forget.
Impartial trimmed means for functional data

In this paper we extend the notion of impartial trimming to a functional data framework, and we obtain resistant estimates of the center of a functional distribution. We give mild conditions for the existence and uniqueness of the functional trimmed means. We show the continuity of the population parameter with respect to the weak convergence of probability measures. As a consequence we obtain consistency and qualitative resistance of the data based estimates. A simpliﬁed approximate computational method is also given. Some real data examples are ﬁnally analyzed.
Nordihydroguaiaretic acid activates hTRPA1 and modulates behavioral responses to noxious cold in mice

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a major biologically active component of the creosote bush, Larrea tridentate, widely used in unregulated therapies. NDGA is a lipoxygenase inhibitor while a derivative, terameprocol, has been trialed as a chemotherapeutic agent. When investigating fatty acid activation of the human transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A, member 1 (hTRPA1), we found that NDGA activated the channel. Here we investigate the actions of NDGA and terameprocol at hTRPA1 and the consequences of this for noxious cold sensitivity in mice. hTRPA1 was stably expressed in HEK 293 cells (HEK 293‐TRPA1) and channel activity examined by measuring changes in intracellular calcium ([Ca]i) using a fluorescent dye and activation of membrane currents using patch clamp electrophysiology. The effects of local NDGA and terameprocol application on acetone‐induced paw flinching were examined in mice. NDGA (pEC50 of 5.4 ± 0.1, maximum change in fluorescence of 385 ± 30%) and terameprocol (pEC50 4.5 ± 0.2, maximum 550 ± 75%) increased [Ca]i in HEK 293‐hTRPA1 cells. NDGA also induced an increase in membrane conductance in HEK 293‐hTRPA1 cells. These effects were prevented by the TRPA1 antagonist HC‐030031, and were dependent on the presence of Cys621, Cys 641, and Cys 665 in hTRPA1. Neither NDGA nor terameprocol alone produced spontaneous pain behaviors in mice after hind paw injection, but both enhanced responses to acetone. NDGA and terameprocol are efficacious activators of TRPA1. NDGA should be used with care to probe lipoxygenase involvement in nociception while TRPA1 activity should be considered when considering use of these drugs in humans.
Protocadherin Gene Clusters Comparative DNA Sequence Analysis of Mouse and Human

References http://genome.cshlp. org/content/11/3/389.full. html#ref-list-1 This article cites 39 articles, 18 of which can be accessed free at: License Commons Creative http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. described at a Creative Commons License (Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License), as ). After six months, it is available under http://genome.cshlp. org/site/misc/terms.xhtml first six months after the full-issue publication date (see This article is distributed exclusively by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press for the
Using distance estimation and deep learning to simplify calibration in food calorie measurement

High calorie intake in the human body on the one hand, has proved harmful in numerous occasions leading to several diseases and on the other hand, a standard amount of calorie intake has been deemed essential by dietitians to maintain the right balance of calorie content in human body. As such, researchers have proposed a variety of automatic tools and systems to assist users measure their calorie in-take. In this paper, we consider the category of those tools that use image processing to recognize the food, and we propose a method for fully automatic and user-friendly calibration of the dimension of the food portion sizes, which is needed in order to measure food portion weight and its ensuing amount of calories. Experimental results show that our method, which uses deep learning, mobile cloud computing, distance estimation and size calibration inside a mobile device, leads to an accuracy improvement to 95 percent on average compared to previous work.
You are where you build: Hierarchy, Inequality, and Equalitarianism in Mandara Highland Architecture

Abstract: Ethnic groups living in the Mandara Mountains are assumed to be segmentary in structure, which is why scholarly literature portrays them as egalitarian societies. The configuration of the architectural landscape reveals a different reality. This article shows how the architectural landscapes of the Mandara Highlands are ideologically constructed to represent and legitimize hierarchies between clans and individuals. Physical entities appear as particular elements of social space, and as places socially constructed and tinged with ideologies. These fieldwork-based observations provide the foundation for interrogating the meaning of egalitarianism in African society. Résumé: Les groupes ethniques vivant dans les Monts Mandara apparaissent comme des sociétés segmentaires de par leur structure sociale. C’est pourquoi la littérature scientifique les a dépeint comme des sociétés égalitaires. Cependant, la configuration du paysage architectural révèle une réalité très différente et met en lumière des phénomènes sociaux cachés. Cet article vise à montrer comment les paysages architecturaux des Monts Mandara sont idéologiquement construits pour représenter et légitimer les hiérarchies entre les clans et les individus. Entités physiques, certes, ils apparaissent comme des éléments particuliers de l’espace social et idéologiquement teintés. En tant qu’espaces construits, ils sont créés avec des pierres, du chaume et de l’argile ; mais comme `espace social’, ils revêtent des significations qui concrétisent et rendent légitime l’accès inégal aux ressources politiques et sacrées. Ces observations portées sur la structure du paysage conduisent à une question fondamentale : les groupes sociaux vivant dans les Monts Mandara sont-ils des sociétés égalitaires ? Si la hiérarchie signifie l’existence d’inégalités entre les individus, il serait inapproprié de qualifier ces sociétés d’égalitaires tant on y constate l`existence des inégalités d’accès aux ressources matérielles et aux positions sociales honorables. A partir de ces constats, cet article fait valoir l’argument qu’hiérarchie et égalité coexistent dans un même système, tant les accents égalitaires s’interpénètrent avec une recherche ostentatoire de prestige personnel, notamment à travers l’espace bâti. Resumo: A estrutura dos grupos étnicos que habitam os Montes Mandara tem sido considerada como sendo segmentária, razão pela qual a literatura académica retrata estes grupos como sociedades igualitárias. No entanto, a configuração da paisagem arquitetónica indicia uma realidade diferente. O presente artigo explica de que modo as paisagens arquitetónicas das Terras Altas de Mandara são ideologicamente construídas para representar e legitimar as hierarquias entre clãs e indivíduos. As estruturas físicas constituem elementos específicos do espaço social e lugares socialmente construídos, eivados de ideologias. Resultantes de um trabalho de campo, as observações aqui reunidas lançam as bases para questionarmos o significado do igualitarismo na sociedade africana.
Haptic Device System for Upper Limb Motor and Cognitive Function Rehabilitation: Grip Movement Comparison between Normal Subjects and Stroke Patients

We have developed a rehabilitation system utilising a haptic device. This system aims to integrate motion and sensory therapy ensuring that the patient's interest is maintained and to establish a quantitative assessment of the level of disorder. This system consists of a haptic device, a computer and a LCD monitor. The user moves the grip of the haptic device according to the training program, which is displayed on the computer screen. The haptic device provides a virtual force to the grip. Various types of force can be applied, e.g. resistance, assistance, viscosity and friction. The basic and applied training programs are prepared for training and evaluation including training with simple motion and games. Suitable training can be chosen from the different types of training programs according to the patient's disability. An experiment was carried out with normal healthy subjects and patients who have upper limb dysfunction. The results indicated that this system could be used for quantitative assessment and provide tailor-made training programs for individual patients.
Biosensing with integrated CMOS nanopores

This paper outlines our recent efforts in using solid-state nanopores as a biosensing platform. Traditionally biosensors concentrate mainly on the detection platform and not on signal processing. This decoupling can lead to inferior sensors and is exacerbated in nanoscale devices, where device noise is large and large dynamic range is required. This paper outlines a novel platform that integrates the nano, micro and macroscales in a closely coupled manner that mitigates many of these problems. We discuss our initial results of DNA translocation through the nanopore. We also briefly discuss the use of molecular recognition properties of aptamers with the versatility of the nanopore detector to design a new class of biosensors in a CMOS compatible platform.
A level set model without initial contour

This paper presents a new local edge-based level set model that does not use initial contours. Unlike traditional edge-based active contours that use gradient to detect edges, our model derives the neighborhood distribution and edge information with two different localized region-based operators: a Gaussian mixture model-based intensity distribution estimator and the Hueckel operator. We incorporate the operator outcomes into the recently proposed local binary fitting (LBF) model as local distribution fitting (LDF) model, which enables a model without the initial contour selection, i.e., the level set function can be initialized with a random constant instead of a distance map. Thus our model overcomes the initialization sensitivity problem of most active contours. In addition, with region-based edge detection, the proposed LDF model provides more accurate and robust segmentation. Experiments on both synthetic and real images show the improved performance of our proposed model over the LBF model.
Depth-First Search and Linear Graph Algorithms

The value of depth-first search or “backtracking” as a technique for solving problems is illustrated by two examples. An improved version of an algorithm for finding the strongly connected components of a directed graph and at algorithm for finding the biconnected components of an undirect graph are presented. The space and time requirements of both algorithms are bounded by $k_1 V + k_2 E + k_3 $ for some constants $k_1 ,k_2 $, and $k_3 $, where V is the number of vertices and E is the number of edges of the graph being examined.
Applying quality improvement methods to implement a measurement system for chronic pain-related disability.

OBJECTIVE This article describes the application of quality improvement methodology to implement a measurement tool for the assessment of functional status in pediatric patients with chronic pain referred for behavioral intervention. METHODS The Functional Disability Inventory (FDI), a validated instrument for assessment of pain-related disability, was chosen as the primary clinical outcome measure. Using improvement science methodology, PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycles were run to evaluate: (a) regular FDI administration, (b) two administration methods, (c) regular patient feedback, and (d) documentation methods. RESULTS Within 1 month, psychologists were administering the FDI at least 80% of the time to patients. A high level of reliability using two administration methods (92.8%) was demonstrated. The FDI was feasible to integrate into clinical practice. Modifications to electronic records further enhanced clinician reliability of documentation. CONCLUSIONS Quality improvement methods are an innovative way to make process changes in pediatric psychology settings to dependably gather and document evidence-based patient outcomes.
Partnering for Improved Parent Mathematics Engagement.

Although the Common Core State Standards call on parents to support professional educators’ efforts for improving student academic achievement, we have yet to examine how to best support parents in achieving this goal. The present study addresses this need by examining a five-month mathematics intervention which aimed to increase awareness of the eight Common Core State Standards for the Mathematical Practices (CCSS-MP) in a culturally, linguistically, and generationally diverse group of parents. The intervention consisted of five mathematics workshops designed as part of a multilayered collaboration between a community organization and a teacher educator. One Mexican American and two African American parent–child dyads (n = 3) were video recorded solving “rich” mathematics tasks before and after the intervention. Video recordings were coded using a coding scheme developed from the CCSS-MP. Results indicated parent–child dyads engaged in more and a greater variety of the CCSS-MP after the intervention. Also, the ratio of parent to child talk related to the eight mathematical practices decreased. The results suggest that parents’ mathematics assistance practices changed in such a way that allowed for their children to enact more of the CCSS-MP, which means that children were engaged more deeply in the doing of mathematics at the second time period. Implications for parent education curriculum designers are discussed.
Power Control Algorithm of Internet-of-Things Node Based on Vague Set

Wireless sensor network is the absolutely necessary infrastructure for the internet of things. Aiming at the energy storage and power control problem of nodes in internet of things, this paper analyzes detailedly some typical power control algorithms and its effects to network performance, and proposes a power control algorithm of nodes in internet of things based on vague sets. Use vague sets theory to optimize the parameters of traditional PID controller, and apply it to power control of nodes in internet of things. The result shows that the wireless network nodes can adaptive control its power, reaching the purpose of reducing energy consumption, and communicating reliably and highly efficient.