Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time series analysis based on enhanced NLCS

Similarity analysis plays a key role in clustering of time series. Normalized longest common subsequence (NLCS) is a similarity measurement widely used in comparing character sequences. In this paper, we developed the NLCS and present a novel algorithm to precisely calculate the similarity of time series. The algorithm used the sum of all common subsequence instead of longest common subsequence which can not represent the similarity of sequences accurately. The experiments based on synthetic and real-life datasets shown that the proposed algorithm performed better in comparing the similarity of time series. Comparing with Euclidean distance on four cluster validity indices, the results lead to a better performance by k-means or self-organize map.
Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Nanoparticle-Assisted Enhanced Oil Recovery—A Review

In the last two decades, nanotechnology has flourished due to its vast number of applications in many fields such as drug delivery, oil and gas, and thermal applications, like cooling and air-conditioning. This study focuses on the applications of nanoparticles/nanofluids in the Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) process to increase oil recovery efficiency. To understand the nanoparticle-assisted EOR process, the first step is to understand the flow characteristics of nanoparticles in porous media, including entrapment and release in the pores and the behavior of nanoparticles under high temperatures, pressures, and salinity levels and in the presence of external electric and magnetic fields. Also, the process looks at the roles of various pore distributions during their application as EOR agents. The experimental approaches are not only time consuming, but they are also cumbersome and expensive. Hence, the mathematical models could help to facilitate the understanding of the transport and interaction of nanofluids in a reservoir and how such processes can be optimized to get maximum oil recovery and, in turn, reduce the production cost. This paper reviews and critically analyzes the latest developments in mathematical modeling and simulation techniques that have been reported for nanofluid-assisted EOR. One section is dedicated to discussing the challenges ahead, as well as the research gaps in the modeling approach to help the readers to also contribute to further enlightening the modeling nanofluid-assisted EOR process.
Development of pipeline ADC for the luminosity detector at ILC

The design and measurement results of the prototype 1.5-bit stages developed for a 10 bit pipeline ADC for the luminosity detector (LumiCal) at International Linear Collider (ILC) are discussed. The motivation for the chosen architecture is presented and followed by the description of core analog blocks in a 1.5-bit stage pipeline ADC. The prototype stages were designed and fabricated in 0.35 μm CMOS technology. Wide spectrum of measurements of static (INL, DNL) and dynamic (SFDR, SNHR, SINAD, THD) parameters performed to understand and quantify the circuit performance is presented. Single 1.5-bit stage operation is studied in detail.
White Matter Hyperintensity on Cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Predictor of Stroke

Background and Purpose— We have previously reported that several “silent” infarcts found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were a risk factor for stroke. Several recent reports have shown that high white matter grade (WMG) and increasing WMG over time were risk factors for stroke. We tested the hypothesis that high WMG ≥2 was a predictor of risk for stroke, independent of other risk factors. Methods— We examined the extent of white matter hyperintensity on cranial MRI of 3293 participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). The degree of white matter hyperintensity was graded from least severe (grade= 0) to most severe (grade= 9). Participants were followed-up for an average of 7 years for the occurrence of a stroke. Clinical stroke diagnoses were based on hospital records reviewed by an adjudication committee expert in stroke diagnosis. During this period, 278 strokes occurred. Results— The relative risk of stroke increased significantly as the WMG increased. The risk of stroke was 2.8% per year for participants with high WMG (grades ≥5), compared with only 0.6% for participants with grades 0 to 1. Conclusions— The risk of stroke with high WMG is independent of traditional stroke risk factors and persists when controlling for MRI infarcts, another subclinical imaging marker of cerebrovascular disease. Assessment of white matter disease may be valuable in assessing future risk of stroke.
The Source of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection In Infants: A Household Cohort Study In Rural Kenya

Background. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine development for direct protection of young infants faces substantial obstacles. Assessing the potential of indirect protection using different strategies, such as targeting older children or mothers, requires knowledge of the source of infection to the infants. Methods. We undertook a prospective study in rural Kenya. Households with a child born after the preceding RSV epidemic and ≥1 elder sibling were recruited. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected every 3–4 days irrespective of symptoms from all household members throughout the RSV season of 2009–2010 and tested for RSV using molecular techniques. Results. From 451 participants in 44 households a total of 15 396 nasopharyngeal swab samples were samples were collected, representing 86% of planned sampling. RSV was detected in 37 households (84%) and 173 participants (38%) and 28 study infants (64%). The infants acquired infection from within (15 infants; 54%) or outside (9 infants; 32%) the household; in 4 households the source of infant infection was inconclusive. Older children were index case patients for 11 (73%) of the within-household infant infections, and 10 of these 11 children were attending school. Conclusion. We demonstrate that school-going siblings frequently introduce RSV into households, leading to infection in infants.
A novel deniable authentication protocol based on Diffie-Hellman algorithm using pairing technique

This paper describes a new deniable authentication protocol whose security is based Diffe-Hellman (CDH) Problem of type Decisional Diffie-Hellman(DDH) and the Hash Diffie-Hellman (HDDH) problem. Here we have used pairing technique i.e the problem is called Bilinear Diffie Hell-man (BDHP) problem. The protocol is of identity-based and can be implemented in low power and small processor mobile devices such as smart card, PDA etc. A deniable authentication protocol enables a receiver to identify the true source of a given message, but not to prove the identity of the sender to a third party. This property is very useful for providing secure negotiation over the internet. Our proposed protocol will be achieving the most three security requirement like deniable authentication, authentication and confidentialities. Also it is resistant against Man-in middle Attack.
Structure of a CGI-58 Motif Provides the Molecular Basis of Lipid Droplet Anchoring*

Background: CGI-58 activates the key intracellular lipase ATGL. Results: Solution structure of the N-terminal lipid droplet (LD)-binding motif of CGI-58 bound to dodecylphosphocholine micelles. Conclusion: The LD-binding motif acts independently to anchor proteins to LDs and consists of two LD-binding arms. Significance: The structure of the peptide LD anchor sheds light on the interaction of CGI-58 with LDs. Triacylglycerols (TGs) stored in lipid droplets (LDs) are hydrolyzed in a highly regulated metabolic process called lipolysis to free fatty acids that serve as energy substrates for β-oxidation, precursors for membrane lipids and signaling molecules. Comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) stimulates the enzymatic activity of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), which catalyzes the hydrolysis of TGs to diacylglycerols and free fatty acids. In adipose tissue, protein-protein interactions between CGI-58 and the LD coating protein perilipin 1 restrain the ability of CGI-58 to activate ATGL under basal conditions. Phosphorylation of perilipin 1 disrupts these interactions and mobilizes CGI-58 for the activation of ATGL. We have previously demonstrated that the removal of a peptide at the N terminus (residues 10–31) of CGI-58 abrogates CGI-58 localization to LDs and CGI-58-mediated activation of ATGL. Here, we show that this tryptophan-rich N-terminal peptide serves as an independent LD anchor, with its three tryptophans serving as focal points of the left (harboring Trp21 and Trp25) and right (harboring Trp29) anchor arms. The solution state NMR structure of a peptide comprising the LD anchor bound to dodecylphosphocholine micelles as LD mimic reveals that the left arm forms a concise hydrophobic core comprising tryptophans Trp21 and Trp25 and two adjacent leucines. Trp29 serves as the core of a functionally independent anchor arm. Consequently, simultaneous tryptophan alanine permutations in both arms abolish localization and activity of CGI-58 as opposed to tryptophan substitutions that occur in only one arm.
Mitigating multi-bit soft errors in L1 caches using last-store prediction

Recent studies suggest that the rate of spatial multi-bit soft errors will increase with future technology scaling. Unfortunately, multi-bit errors cannot be effectively mitigated with conventional techniques in L1 data caches (e.g., bit interleaving or stronger coding) due to high power and/or latency overheads. We propose the laststore predictor, a lightweight prediction mechanism that accurately determines when a cache block is written for the last time and writes the data back to the L2 cache where increased access latency permits more effective multi-bit error protection. Using a combination of commercial workloads and SPEC CPU2000 benchmarks, we show that, on average, write-back L1 data caches are 42% vulnerable to multi-bit soft errors. Where SECDED ECC fails to mitigate multi-bit errors, our mechanism reduces the multi-bit soft-error vulnerability to 12% on average.
Assessing Ecosystem Restoration Alternatives in Eastern Deciduous Forests: The View from Belowground

Both structural and functional approaches to restoration of eastern deciduous forests are becoming more common as recognition of the altered state of these ecosystems grows. In our study, structural restoration involves mechanically modifying the woody plant assemblage to a species composition, density, and community structure specified by the restoration goals. Functional restoration involves reintroducing dormant‐season, low‐severity fire at intervals consistent with the historical condition. Our approach was to quantify the effects of such restoration treatments on soil organic carbon and soil microbial activity, as these are both conservative ecosystem attributes and not ones explicitly targeted by the restoration treatments, themselves. Fire, mechanical thinning, and their combination all initially resulted in reduced soil organic C content, C:N ratio, and overall microbial activity (measured as acid phosphatase activity) in a study site in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, but only the effect on microbial activity persisted into the fourth post‐treatment growing season. In contrast, in a similar forest in the central Appalachian Plateau of Ohio, mechanical thinning resulted in increased soil organic C, decreased C:N ratio, and decreased microbial activity, whereas fire and the combination of fire and thinning did not have such effects. In addition, the effects in Ohio had dissipated prior to the fourth post‐treatment growing season. Mechanical treatments are attractive in that they require only single entries; however, we see no indication that mechanical–structural restoration actually produced desired belowground changes. A single fire‐based/functional treatment also offered little restoration progress, but comparisons with long‐term experimental fire studies suggest that repeated entries with prescribed fire at intervals of 3–8 years offer potential for sustainable restoration.
A democracia impedida. O Brasil no Século XXI. Wanderley Guilherme dos Santos.

DOI: 10.1590/2179-8966/2018/33473 RESENHA A Democracia Impedida. O Brasil no Seculo XXI Wanderley Guilherme dos Santos, Rio de Janeiro: FGV, 2017, 188p. Andre Luiz de Carvalho Matheus Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. E-mail: andrematheus85@gmail.com
Enhanced Viral Replication by Cellular Replicative Senescence

Cellular replicative senescence is a major contributing factor to aging and to the development and progression of aging-associated diseases. In this study, we sought to determine viral replication efficiency of influenza virus (IFV) and Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) infection in senescent cells. Primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) or human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) were allowed to undergo numbers of passages to induce replicative senescence. Induction of replicative senescence in cells was validated by positive senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining. Increased susceptibility to both IFV and VZV infection was observed in senescent HBE and HDF cells, respectively, resulting in higher numbers of plaque formation, along with the upregulation of major viral antigen expression than that in the non-senescent cells. Interestingly, mRNA fold induction level of virus-induced type I interferon (IFN) was attenuated by senescence, whereas IFN-mediated antiviral effect remained robust and potent in virus-infected senescent cells. Additionally, we show that a longevity-promoting gene, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), has antiviral role against influenza virus infection. In conclusion, our data indicate that enhanced viral replication by cellular senescence could be due to senescence-mediated reduction of virus-induced type I IFN expression.
Foreign Exchange Rate Prediction using Computational Intelligence Methods

This paper presents the application of six nonlinear ensemble architectures to forecasting the foreign exchange rates in the computational intelligence paradigm. Intelligent techniques such as Backpropagation neural network (BPNN), Wavelet neural network (WNN), Multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), Support vector regression (SVR), Dynamic evolving neuro-fuzzy inference system (DENFIS), Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) and Genetic Programming (GP) constitute the ensembles. The data of exchange rates of US dollar (USD) with respect to Deutsche Mark (DEM), Japanese Yen (JPY) and British Pound (GBP) is used for testing the effectiveness of the ensembles. To account for the auto regressive nature of the time series problem, we considered lagged variables in the experimental design. All the techniques are compared with normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) and directional statistics ( stat D ) as the performance measures. The results indicate that GMDH and GP based ensembles yielded the best results consistently over all the currencies. GP based ensembling emerged as the clear winner based on its consistency with respect to both stat D and NRMSE, but GMDH outperforms it in one of the currencies (DEM). Based on the numerical experiments conducted, it is inferred that using the correct sophisticated ensembling methods in the computational intelligence paradigm can enhance the results obtained by the extant techniques to forecast foreign exchange rates.
ADOPTION DES NORMES COMPTABLES INTERNATIONALES IFRS AU MAROC : ESSAI D’ANALYSE DES ENJEUX ET DES CONTRAINTES DE MISE EN ŒUVRE POUR LE SECTEUR IMMOBILIE

Le developpement des marches financiers, l’importance de la transparence des informations financieres divulguees, les consequences de la mondialisation ont fait evoluer la science comptable, notamment au niveau de sa dimension relative a l’information financiere. Pour le cas du Maroc, le referentiel comptable marocain est reste fige face aux changements induits par les normes IFRS. Le processus de convergence de normes comptables avec les referentiels internationaux (IFRS) s’est pour l’instant limite aux groupes du secteur financier et aux societes cotees. A partir d’une recherche-action inscrite dans nos activites d’expert comptable et de commissaire aux comptes et a travers de nombreuses missions realisees aupres d’importants operateurs œuvrant dans le secteur immobilier au Maroc, nous avons analyse les enjeux ainsi que les contraintes accompagnants les projets d’adoption des normes comptables internationales IFRS. Notre article aborde l’impact de l’introduction des normes IFRS au Maroc a travers l’analyse des avantages et des contraintes d’application au secteur de la promotion immobiliere a la lumiere de l’actuel projet de convergence du Code general de la normalisation comptable –CGNC- vers les normes IFRS.
Probability trends in the assessment of cardiovascular autonomic fluctuations during cold pressor tests

Eighteen healthy volunteers between 23 and 53 years of age (mean age 34.9 plusmn 9.8 years) were exposed to CPT while continuous ECG recordings were collected. HRV parameters, including root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components, were obtained during baseline and each stage of CPT using an autoregressive (AR) model with Burgpsilas method to evaluate short windows of observation while preserving adequate frequency resolution. HRV parameters obtained during immersion of the hand in cold water, after withdrawal, and every 3 minutes after withdrawal were compared to baseline parameters. A probability trend was updated every 10 seconds for each parameter and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Preliminary results show that probability trends from RMSSD and HF provide consistent and prompt information about the sympathetic activation. These results could be applied in the setting of anesthesia and intraoperative monitoring, where sympathovagal imbalances can provide an early warning of physiological stress and thus facilitate timely interventions.
Invasive Non-typhoidal Salmonella Infections in Asia: Clinical Observations, Disease Outcome and Dominant Serovars from an Infectious Disease Hospital in Vietnam

Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) infections are now a well-described cause of morbidity and mortality in children and HIV-infected adults in sub-Saharan Africa. In contrast, the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of iNTS disease in Asia are not well documented. We retrospectively identified >100 cases of iNTS infections in an infectious disease hospital in Southern Vietnam between 2008 and 2013. Clinical records were accessed to evaluate demographic and clinical factors associated with iNTS infection and to identify risk factors associated with death. Multi-locus sequence typing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on all organisms. Of 102 iNTS patients, 71% were HIV-infected, >90% were adults, 71% were male and 33% reported intravenous drug use. Twenty-six/92 (28%) patients with a known outcome died; HIV infection was significantly associated with death (p = 0.039). S. Enteritidis (Sequence Types (ST)11) (48%, 43/89) and S. Typhimurium (ST19, 34 and 1544) (26%, 23/89) were the most commonly identified serovars; S. Typhimurium was significantly more common in HIV-infected individuals (p = 0.003). Isolates from HIV-infected patients were more likely to exhibit reduced susceptibility against trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole than HIV-negative patients (p = 0.037). We conclude that iNTS disease is a severe infection in Vietnam with a high mortality rate. As in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV infection was a risk factor for death, with the majority of the burden in this population found in HIV-infected adult men.
Hedge Fund Intervention and Accounting Conservatism

Hedge fund intervention has been associated with many positive corporate changes and is an important vehicle for informed shareholder monitoring. Effective monitoring has also been positively associated with accounting conservatism. Building upon these prior results, we predict an increase in accounting conservatism after hedge fund intervention. We use a large sample of hedge fund activist events and identify control firms with similar likelihoods of being targeted using the propensity score matching method to apply difference-in-difference tests. We find that when hedge fund activists have relatively large ownership and sufficient time to exert their monitoring power, target firms experience significant increases in conditional conservatism. CFO turnovers, upward/lateral auditor switches, and improvements in audit committee independence after intervention are accompanied by greater increases in conditional conservatism. Finally, we find greater increases in conditional conservatism when there is a lack of monitoring by dedicated institutional investors before the intervention. Our study suggests that hedge fund activists improve accounting monitoring tools and thus adds important new evidence on the effectiveness of shareholder monitoring on accounting practices.
An approach to software defined cloud infrastructure management

A widespread use of the cloud computing paradigm has increased the necessity and significance of improving the management efficiency of cloud infrastructures. Special attention is paid to solving cloud resource management problems. In this paper, authors present an architecture of Software Defined Cloud Infrastructure management system that leverages Software Defined approach in all subsystems: network, storage, and computation. Due to the intensive changes of virtual machine (VM) workloads and different conditions of resource utilization the VM placement and migration problems should be solved and optimized continuously in an online manner. To address such problems the authors propose novel heuristics for VM placement and consolidation based on a physical machine (PM) workload prediction. The authors also evaluate a particular policy of the VM allocation in a data center using an adaptive genetic algorithm. The proposed adaptive Software Defined approach to the cloud infrastructure management is implemented by using the policy selector that allows to select different algorithms or policies for resources and virtual machines management in order to adapt to the impact of disturbing influences.
Distributed Cognition in the Past Progressive: Narratives as Representational Tools for Clinical Reasoning

Cognition may require access to past events, for example to understand undesirable outcomes or diagnose failures. When cognition is distributed between multiple participants, a particular representational challenge occurs because not all of the participants may have directly experienced the focal event. Language can transcend temporal and physical limitations on event accessibility. We suggest that people create complex linguistic constructs as tools to facilitate retrospective cognition. We illustrate this process by analyzing the use of a particular linguistic construct (narrative) in the domain of clinical reasoning. Results demonstrated that narratives support clinical cognition during practitioner-patient interactions. Narratives extended access to clinically relevant events providing information about circumstances, subjective experiences, patient functioning, and prior decisions. Whereas, the hermeneutic nature of narrative allowed collaborative hypothesis testing and creation of meaning. The use of narrative in clinical cognition challenges Bruner’s (1991) distinction between narrative and paradigmatic reasoning and enriches the understanding of