Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Effort in Collective Software Design: Methodological Perspectives in Cognitive Ergonomics

Empirical software engineering is concerned with measuring, or estimating, both the effort put into the software process and the quality of its product. We defend the idea that measuring process effort and product quality and establishing a relation between the two cannot be performed without a model of cognitive and collective activities involved in software design, and without measurement of these activities. This is the object of our field, i.e. Cognitive Ergonomics of design. After a brief presentation of its theoretical and methodological foundations, we will discuss a cognitive approach to design activities and its potential to provide new directions in ESE. Then we will present and discuss an illustration of the methodological directions we have proposed for the analysis and measurement of cognitive activities in the context of collective software design. The two situations analysed are technical review meetings, and Request For Comments-like procedures in Open Source Software design.
Grain Refining through Semisolid Processing

Semisolid process can be used as grain refining method to replace conventional chemical grain refining approach. Typical semisolid slurry making techniques were introduced in the paper as potential semisolid grain refining methods. The temperature and morphology control for grain refining through semisolid process were enhanced to achieve fine particle size and large particle number rather than spheroidal particle shape or low viscosity of the slurry comparing with conventional rheo-forming process. The grain refinement effect was demonstrated by a 40 mm cylinder casting of AZ31 alloy.
Clustering Co-occurrence of Maximal Frequent Patterns in Streams

One way of getting a better view of data is using frequent patterns. In this paper frequent patterns are subsets that occur a minimal number of times in a stream of itemsets. However, the discovery of frequent patterns in streams has always been problematic. Because streams are potentially endless it is in principle impossible to say if a pattern is often occurring or not. Furthermore the number of patterns can be huge and a good overview of the structure of the stream is lost quickly. The proposed approach will use clustering to facilitate the analysis of the structure of the stream. A clustering on the co-occurrence of patterns will give the user an improved view on the structure of the stream. Some patterns might occur so much together that they should form a combined pattern. In this way the patterns in the clustering will be the largest frequent patterns: maximal frequent patterns. Our approach to decide if patterns occur often together will be based on a method of clustering when only the distance between pairs is known. The number of maximal frequent patterns is much smaller and combined with clustering methods these patterns provide a good view on the structure of the stream.
Semantic Blossom Graph: A New Approach for Visual Graph Exploration

Graphs are widely used to represent relationships between entities. Indeed, their simplicity in depicting connectedness backed by a mathematical formalism, make graphs an ideal metaphor to convey relatedness between entities irrespective of the domain. However, graphs pose several challenges for visual analysis. A large number of entities or a densely connected set quickly render the graph unreadable due to clutter. Typed relationships leading to multigraphs cannot clearly be represented in hierarchical layout or edge bundling, common clutter reduction techniques. We propose a novel approach to visual analysis of complex graphs based on two metaphors: semantic blossom and selective expansion. Instead of showing the whole graph, we display only a small representative subset of nodes, each with a compressed summary of relations in a semantic blossom. Users apply selective expansion to traverse the graph and discover the subset of interest. A preliminary evaluation showed that our approach is intuitive and useful for graph exploration and provided insightful ideas for future improvements.
Differentially methylated genes and androgen receptor re-expression in small cell prostate carcinomas

ABSTRACT Small cell prostate carcinoma (SCPC) morphology is rare at initial diagnosis but often emerges during prostate cancer progression and portends a dismal prognosis. It does not express androgen receptor (AR) or respond to hormonal therapies. Clinically applicable markers for its early detection and treatment with effective chemotherapy are needed. Our studies in patient tumor–derived xenografts (PDX) revealed that AR–negative SCPC (AR−SCPC) expresses neural development genes instead of the prostate luminal epithelial genes characteristic of AR–positive castration-resistant adenocarcinomas (AR+ADENO). We hypothesized that the differences in cellular lineage programs are reflected in distinct epigenetic profiles. To address this hypothesis, we compared the DNA methylation profiles of AR− and AR+ PDX using methylated CpG island amplification and microarray (MCAM) analysis and identified a set of differentially methylated promoters, validated in PDX and corresponding donor patient samples. We used the Illumina 450K platform to examine additional regions of the genome and the correlation between the DNA methylation profiles of the PDX and their corresponding patient tumors. Struck by the low frequency of AR promoter methylation in the AR−SCPC, we investigated this region's specific histone modification patterns by chromatin immunoprecipitation. We found that the AR promoter was enriched in silencing histone modifications (H3K27me3 and H3K9me2) and that EZH2 inhibition with 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep) resulted in AR expression and growth inhibition in AR−SCPC cell lines. We conclude that the epigenome of AR− is distinct from that of AR+ castration-resistant prostate carcinomas, and that the AR− phenotype can be reversed with epigenetic drugs.
KBDOCK 2013: a spatial classification of 3D protein domain family interactions

Comparing, classifying and modelling protein structural interactions can enrich our understanding of many biomolecular processes. This contribution describes Kbdock (http://kbdock.loria.fr/), a database system that combines the Pfam domain classification with coordinate data from the PDB to analyse and model 3D domain–domain interactions (DDIs). Kbdock can be queried using Pfam domain identifiers, protein sequences or 3D protein structures. For a given query domain or pair of domains, Kbdock retrieves and displays a non-redundant list of homologous DDIs or domain–peptide interactions in a common coordinate frame. Kbdock may also be used to search for and visualize interactions involving different, but structurally similar, Pfam families. Thus, structural DDI templates may be proposed even when there is little or no sequence similarity to the query domains.
Cracking shear strength of RC slender beams without stirrups

Abstract This study presents alternative cracking shear strength equations for slender reinforced concrete (RC) beams without stirrups. More than 80 data has been obtained from existing sources of RC beam shear test results covering a wide range of beam properties and test methods. The proposed cracking shear strength equations are applied to existing test data for normal strength concrete (NSC) and high‐strength concrete (HSC) slender beams and the results are compared with those predicted by the ACI 318 equations. It can be also noted that the test results are in better agreement with proposed cracking shear strengths. However, because the test data for high‐strength concrete members are very limited, further research is required to verify these equations.
A low power low noise current starved CMOS VCO for PLL

In this article an ultra low power, low phase noise current starved CMOS VCO are proposed. This CSVCO is applicable for PLL application such as in, clock generation and recovery, frequency synthesizer for cell phones, fast locking in digital aid circuits etc. This proposed circuits area and power consumptions are very less and compatible for PLL applications. It demonstrates the superlative performance of the CSVCO. Transient response and phase noise analysis is performed and after simulation the phase noise at 1MHz is -104.0dBc/Hz with supply voltage of 1 V. It is performed using cadence virtuoso gpdk045 nm CMOS technology.
Radical scavenging compound J 811 inhibits hydrogen peroxide‐induced death of cerebellar granule cells

Oxidative stress is considered to be an important pathophysiological condition to promote cell death in a broad variety of disorders, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Scavestrogens, structurally derived from estradiol, are potent radical scavengers and inhibitors of iron‐induced cell damage in vitro. In this study the potential cytoprotective effects of the so‐called scavestrogen estra‐1,3,5(10),8‐tetraene‐3,17α‐diol, J 811, was tested using rat cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) exposed to 25 or 50 μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). H2O2‐induced apoptotic cell death was detected by the appearance of high molecular weight DNA fragments and nuclear condensation. The addition of J 811 before or shortly after the exposure to H2O2 prevented CGC apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. The estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182.780 failed to prevent the protective effect of J 811, suggesting that the latter is not dependent on estrogen receptor activation. The lack of protection against apoptosis caused by colchicine suggests that J 811 is neither interfering with the activation of caspase‐3, nor acting downstream of caspase‐3. Therefore, the protective effect observed against H2O2 seems to be upstream caspases activation, pointing to a scavenging action of J 811. Thus the scavestrogen J 811 is a powerful antioxidant able to interfere with radicalmediated cell death and is potentially useful in diseases where reactive oxygen species are involved. J. Neurosci. Res. 56:420–426, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrohydrodynamic instabilities in dielectric liquids induced by corona discharge

Corona discharge from a needle is used to induce electrohydrodynamic (EHD) instabilities in a flat thin layer of dielectric liquid. We encounter two types of instabilities. The first one appears only for very insulating liquids and it is linked to the space charge induced in the liquid. This instability happens to be the classical EHD instability induced by unipolar injection. At higher voltages we observe a second instability in highly insulating liquids that is also observable for more conducting liquids. This second instability is due to the existence of a charged free surface.
outputs Analysis of conceptual metaphors to improve music software : the role of prior experience in inclusive music interaction Conference Item

An open challenge for interaction designers is to find ways of designing software solutions capable of enhancing the ability of users with differing levels of knowledge and capabilities to perform tasks that normally require specialised domain expertise. This challenge is particularly demanding in areas such as music analysis, where complex, abstract, domain-specific concepts and notations occur. One promising theoretical foundation for this work involves the identification of what are assumed to be conceptual metaphors and image schemas. These constructs are grounded in prior sensory-motor experiences of space, force, orientation and interactions with other bodies and are identified through analysing discourse. These theories have already been applied with some success both to musical concepts and, separately, to user interface design with the intention of creating more intuitive designs through exploiting these prior sensorymotor experiences. However, the present work appears to be the first to combine these hitherto distinct bodies of research. We hypothesise that if we can identify the conceptual metaphors and image schemas used by musical experts to structure their understanding of music, we can utilise this information to develop a general theoretical framework to aid designers in systematically improving their designs, providing a foundation for inclusive music interaction design and thus opening up software normally restricted to domain experts to a wider and more varied user population. A possible methodology for the development of such a framework is discussed along with details of a study to apply the conceptual metaphors and image schemas used by a small group of experienced musicians to an evaluation of Harmony Space.
How to Collect High Quality Segmentations: Use Human or Computer Drawn Object Boundaries?

High quality segmentations must be captured consistently for applications such as biomedical image analysis. While human drawn segmentations are often collected because they provide a consistent level of quality, computer drawn segmentations can be collected efficiently and inexpensively. In this paper, we examine how to leverage available human and computer resources to consistently create high quality segmentations. We propose a quality control methodology. We demonstrate how to apply this approach using crowdsourced and domain expert votes for the “best” segmentation from a collection of human and computer drawn segmentations for 70 objects from a public dataset and 274 objects from biomedical images. We publicly share the library of biomedical images which includes 1,879 manual annotations of the boundaries of 274 objects. We found for the 344 objects that no single segmentation source was preferred and that human annotations are not always preferred over computer annotations. Our results led us to suggest a new segmentation approach that uses machine learning to predict the optimal segmentation source and a modified segmentation evaluation approach.
A Combinatorial Characterization of Higher-Dimensional Orthogonal Packing

Higher-dimensional orthogonal packing problems have a wide range of practical applications, including packing, cutting, and scheduling. Previous efforts for exact algorithms have been unable to avoid structural problems that appear for instance in two- or higher-dimensional space. We present a new approach for modeling packings, using a graph-theoretical characterization of feasible packings. Our characterization allows it to deal with classes of packings that share a certain combinatorial structure, instead of having to consider one packing at a time. In addition, we can make use of elegant algorithmic properties of certain classes of graphs. This allows our characterization to be the basis for a successful branch-and-bound framework.This is the first in a series of papers describing new approaches to higher-dimensional packing.
Coupled learning of action parameters and forward models for manipulation

The effectiveness of robot interaction depends on the robot's ability to perform task-relevant actions and on the degree to which it is able to predict the outcomes of these actions. In this paper we argue that the two learning problems - learning actions and learning forward models - must be tightly coupled for each of them to be successful. We present an approach that is able to learn a set of continuous action parameters and relational forward models from the robot's own experience. We formalize our approach as simultaneously clustering experiences in a continuous and a relational representation. Our experiments in a simulated manipulation experiment show that this form of coupled subsymbolic and symbolic learning is required for the robot to acquire task-relevant action capabilities.
Intelligent Search Engine Based on Formal Concept Analysis

Due to most query technique in Chinese information retrieval is based on keyword matching, existing Search Engines return excessive information. So there are those directions that future search engines are pursuing to, such as how to express the information requirement, how to lay out and browse the information structure, and how to build individuated and intelligent model based on information requirement etc. Therefore, intelligent search engine based on conceptual relations is the best way to answer for the need of information retrieval. In this paper we put forward an intelligent search engine which Information Retrieval model is found on formal context of FCA (formal concept analysis) and incorporates with a browsing mechanism for such a system based on the concept lattice. Test data validates its feasibility, and implement of the FCA-search engine indicates that the concept lattice of FCA is a useful way of supporting the flexible management of documents according to conceptual relation.
On the applicability of network coding in wireless sensor networks

Network coding is a novel concept for improving network capacity. This additional capacity may be used to increase throughput or reliability. Also in wireless networks, network coding has been proposed as a method for improving communication. We present our experience from two studies of applying network coding in realistic wireless sensor networks scenarios. As we show, network coding is not as useful in practical deployments as earlier theoretical work suggested. We discuss limitations and future opportunities for network coding in sensor networks.
Characterization of elastomer blend and compatibility

Binary blends of acrylonitrile-co-butadiene rubber and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber are immiscible. However, they can be made compatible by addition of a third elastomer viz., chlorinated polyethylene or chlorosulphonated polyethylene in small concentrations. Various sophisticated analytical techniques, e.g., ultrasonic velocity measurements in solutions, infrared spectroscopy of solution cast films, thermo-mechanical analysis, processing characteristics through rubber process analyzer (RPA-2000), determination of the vulcanizate properties, and also phase morphology studies by atomic force microscopy have been made to elucidate compatibility and its effect on end-use properties of the evolved blends. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 480–489, 1999
A Compact Mode II Fracture Specimen

A compact Mode II fracture specimen together with its loading frame is analyzed and tested. This system is a further development of an earlier circular Mode II fracture specimen presented by the authors. For fatigue precracking in two different loading configurations, formulas relating the Mode I stress intensity factor, applied load, and specimen geometry are developed. In order to determine K I I c from the fracture load, a relationship between K I I , the applied load, and specimen/loading frame geometry is obtained. All of these relations are calculated by means of the finite element method. These formulas are then employed to perform a series of Mode II fracture toughness tests with Perspex (also called Plexiglas or polymethyl methacrylate [PMMA]). The average measured K I I c value was 0.94 MPa√m. The K I c tests were performed with the compact tension specimen, yielding K I c = 1.06 MPa√m; thus K I c /K I I c was found to be 1.127. In addition, crack propagation angles were found to be between 63 and 70°. These results are compared with the maximum tangential stress and maximum tangential principal stress criteria.
Practical Entropy-Compressed Rank/Select Dictionary

Rank/Select dictionaries are data structures for an ordered set S ⊂ {0,1, . , n − 1} to compute rank(x, S) (the number of elements in S that are no greater than x), and select(i, S) (the i-th smallest element in S), which are the fundamental components of succinct data structures of strings, trees, graphs, etc. In these data structures, however, only asymptotic behavior has been considered and their performance for real data is not satisfactory. In this paper, we propose four novel Rank/Select dictionaries: esp, recrank, vcode and sdarray, each of which is small if the number of elements in S is small, and indeed close to nH0(S) (H0(S) ≤ 1 is the zero-th order empirical entropy of S) in practice. Furthermore, their query times are superior to those of existing structures. Experimental results reveal the characteristics of our data structures and also show that these data structures are superior to existing implementations, both in terms of size and query time.
Low-rate TCP-targeted denial of service attacks and counter strategies

Denial of Service attacks are presenting an increasing threat to the global inter-networking infrastructure. While TCP's congestion control algorithm is highly robust to diverse network conditions, its implicit assumption of end-system cooperation results in a well-known vulnerability to attack by high-rate non-responsive flows. In this paper, we investigate a class of low-rate denial of service attacks which, unlike high-rate attacks, are difficult for routers and counter-DoS mechanisms to detect. Using a combination of analytical modeling, simulations, and Internet experiments, we show that maliciously chosen low-rate DoS traffic patterns that exploit TCP's retransmission timeout mechanism can throttle TCP flows to a small fraction of their ideal rate while eluding detection. Moreover, as such attacks exploit protocol homogeneity, we study fundamental limits of the ability of a class of randomized timeout mechanisms to thwart such low-rate DoS attacks
Comparative analysis of Russian and foreign systems for the neuropsychological diagnosis of children from the standpoint of the psychometric approach and its limitations when used in clinical practice

Modern approaches to the psychological diagnostics of children are based on need analysis and the systematization of existing trends in domestic and foreign children’s neuropsychological diagnoses. This article highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, as well as identifying possible areas of integration. One of the most acute problems is the development of experimental psychological methods to determine the quantitative and expressed characteristics of the mental development of children by flexibly combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, with a view to putting into practice foreign neuroscience principles and standards of evidence. An analysis of contemporary publications on neuropsychological diagnosis reveals the need to consider the standardization of neuropsychological research in the context of current approaches, requirements, and psychodiagnostic criteria. In the domestic neuropsychological literature, these issues are need attention: standardized procedures for presenting stimuli are not, as a rule, described; basic psychometric assessment of the results of the tests is lacking; no investigation of their clinical and psychometric validity is carried out. An analysis was made of the nature of the psychometric approach in foreign child neuropsychology, which relies on mathematical procedures of processing qualitative (ordinal) data converted into quantitative indicators. We examined separately the mathematical software for clinical trials (based on the principles of «evidencebased medicine»), which relies on the «abnormal» nature of the distribution of clinical phenomena.