Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Reservoir Hosts, Vectors, and Human Hosts of West Nile Virus: A Review of the Recent Literature

Over the last two decades West Nile Virus (WNV) has been responsible for significant disease outbreaks in humans and animals in many parts of the World. Its extremely rapid global diffusion argues for a better understanding of its geographic extent. The purpose of this inquiry was to explore spatio-temporal patterns of WNV using geospatial technologies to study populations of the reservoir hosts, vectors, and human hosts, in addition to the spatio-temporal interactions among these populations. Review of the recent literature on spatial WNV disease risk modeling led to the conclusion that numerous environmental factors might be critical for its dissemination. New Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based studies are monitoring occurrence at the macro-level, and helping pinpoint areas of occurrence at the micro-level, where geographically-targeted, species-specific control measures are sometimes taken and more sophisticated methods of surveillance have been used.
Clinicoeconomics and Outcomes Research Dovepress Economic Evaluation of Sq-standardized Grass Allergy Immunotherapy Tablet (grazax ® ) in Children

Background: Grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis is a common allergic respiratory disorder affecting over 20% of the UK population in terms of quality of life and sleep, work, and school patterns. The SQ-standardized grass allergy immunotherapy tablet (AIT) has been demonstrated as a disease-modifying treatment which gives a sustained effect even after completion of a treatment course. The objective of this study was to provide an economic assessment of whether treatment with the SQ-standardized grass AIT, Grazax ® (Phleum pratense) in combination with symptomatic medications is preferable to the standard of care using symptomatic medications only. The analysis was performed for children with grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis, with or without concomitant asthma, in the UK. Methods: The model evaluated the two treatment regimens in a cohort of 1,000 children from a payer's perspective. Treatment was modeled in terms of management of symptoms, impact on resource use, and development of allergic asthma. The analysis modeled the use of SQ-standardized grass AIT and the sustained effects of treatment over a 9-year time horizon (ie, 3 years of treatment, with modeled long-term benefits). Data inputs were drawn from a recent clinical trial, published studies, and databases. Results: SQ-standardized grass AIT improves patient outcomes, generating an incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained of £12,168. This is below commonly accepted thresholds in the UK. Conclusion: The resulting incremental cost per QALY falls below commonly accepted willingness to pay thresholds. Therefore, the SQ-standardized grass AIT is a cost-effective option for the treatment of grass pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis in the UK pediatric population.
Combined-order Algorithm using Promethee Method Approach and Analytic Hierarchy Decision for Chunk Allocation in LTE Uplink Systems

The problem of chunk-based resource allocation for the uplink of Long Term Evolution is investigated. In this paper, a combined order using the promethee method and analytic hierarchy decision for chunk allocation algorithm is proposed. The utility of each order is sorted based on promethee method approach so that the utility of each order could be approximated as the average of all criteria on each order. To decide the best allocation, analytic hierarchy process score is assigned to its order based on their decision criteria weighting factor to find the best allocation. Using a particular weighting factor, the proposed algorithms outperform the previous mean greedy algorithms which use user-order allocation in term of spectral efficiency and data rate fairness without increase the time complexity. It also outperform iterative swapping chunk algorithm in term of data rate fairness.
Low Noise Front-End Amplifier Dedicated to Monitor Very Low Amplitude Signal from Implantable Sensors

This paper describes a low-noise, low-power and lowvoltage analog front-end amplifier integrated in implantable electronic devices and dedicated to very low amplitude signal acquisition. Low noise and low DC offset are obtained by means of Chopper Stabilization (CHS) technique. In addition, due to adding a rail to rail input stage, low power supply (1.8V) and wide common mode input range (0-1.8V) are achieved also. It features a gain of 51dB and a bandwidth of 4.5 kHz. The equivalent input noise is about 56nv/ Hz .
Intellectual Capital and Business Performance: What Structural Relationships Do They Have in Upper‐Upscale Hotels?

The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural relationships among intellectual capital (INCAP) dimensions and business performance (BUPER) in upper-upscale hotels. This study classified INCAP into three dimensions: human capital (HUCAP), organizational capital (ORCAP) and customer capital (CUCAP). This study applied a structural equation modeling to investigate the proposed model and hypotheses. The results showed that HUCAP affects ORCAP and CUCAP and that ORCAP influences CUCAP. INCAP dimensions, with the exception of HUCAP, directly affect BUPER; however, HUCAP indirectly affects BUPER via ORCAP and CUCAP. This study helps upper-upscale hotel managers identify relevant INCAP dimensions and their indicators to enhance BUPER. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non-Parallel Training in Voice Conversion Using an Adaptive Restricted Boltzmann Machine

In this paper, we present a voice conversion (VC) method that does not use any parallel data while training the model. VC is a technique where only speaker-specific information in source speech is converted while keeping the phonological information unchanged. Most of the existing VC methods rely on parallel data-pairs of speech data from the source and target speakers uttering the same sentences. However, the use of parallel data in training causes several problems: 1) the data used for the training are limited to the predefined sentences, 2) the trained model is only applied to the speaker pair used in the training, and 3) mismatches in alignment may occur. Although it is, thus, fairly preferable in VC not to use parallel data, a nonparallel approach is considered difficult to learn. In our approach, we achieve nonparallel training based on a speaker adaptation technique and capturing latent phonological information. This approach assumes that speech signals are produced from a restricted Boltzmann machine-based probabilistic model, where phonological information and speaker-related information are defined explicitly. Speaker-independent and speaker-dependent parameters are simultaneously trained under speaker adaptive training. In the conversion stage, a given speech signal is decomposed into phonological and speaker-related information, the speaker-related information is replaced with that of the desired speaker, and then voice-converted speech is obtained by mixing the two. Our experimental results showed that our approach outperformed another nonparallel approach, and produced results similar to those of the popular conventional Gaussian mixture models-based method that used parallel data in subjective and objective criteria.
Universal coding with minimum probability of codeword length overflow

Lossless block-to-variable length source coding is studied for finite-state, finite-alphabet sources. The aim is to minimize the probability that the normalized length of the codeword will exceed a given threshold B, subject to the Kraft inequality. It is shown that the Lempel-Ziv algorithm (1978) asymptotically attains the optimal performance in the sense just defined, independently of the source and the value of B. For the subclass of unifilar Markov sources, faster convergence to the asymptotic optimum performance can be accomplished by using the minimum-description-length universal code for this subclass. It is demonstrated that these universal codes are also nearly optimal in the sense of minimizing buffer overflow probability, and asymptotically optimal in a competitive sense. >
All Friends Are Equal â€“ Some Even More: An Investigation of Privacy Protection Among Facebook Users

Social networking sites (SNS) such as Facebook have created a new way for individuals to share personal data and interact with each other on the Internet. The disclosure of this personal data is directly tied to the existing relationships of individuals within an SNS. Individual privacy settings allow a selective disclosure of personal data to specific connected individuals. In this paper, we present first empirical insights of a grounded theory study, based on 37 qualitative interviews with Facebook users, which reveal factors that drive, or generally influence, the use of these individual privacy settings on SNS. By investigating this privacy protection behavior towards connected individuals, so-called âfriendsâ in Facebookâs terminology, we add new perspectives to existing theories of information privacy protection â individualsâ privacy protection behavior in nonanonymous online environments. We have developed a conceptual model showing that the motivation to use individual privacy settings depends on a complex interplay between different factors. As important drivers, motives for using SNS, existing relationships and context of personal data disclosure have been identified. Building on those insights further allows development or improvement of general privacy controls for individuals interacting with each other on the Internet.
Genotype–environment interactions in honeybee guarding behaviour

Honeybees have an age-based division of labour that is influenced by genetic variability for the tendency to perform specific tasks. Individuals in a honeybee colony comprise diverse genotypes and their interactions can influence task allocation. Colonies from an African race (Africanized honeybees, AHB, Apis mellifera scutellata Ruttner) usually produce a much stronger defensive response than do European races of honeybees (EHB), and these races may differ in how individuals are allocated to the tasks of guarding and stinging. We observed guarding behaviour in colony environments that varied in proportions of genotypes (AHB, EHB) and population size. In large colonies, AHB showed much greater guarding persistence (number of days guarding) than EHB; hybrids were intermediate. In another series of experiments, three families each of AHB and EHB were cofostered in colonies with different AHB: EHB ratios, then tested in large and small colonies. In colonies of both sizes, colony environment interacted with both famly and type (AHB or EHB) for propensity to guard. Individuals of both types guarded more persistently in large colonies, but family and type both interacted with environment. EHB were more likely to initiate guarding bouts in low-AHB colonies, but persistence did not change with environment. AHB were insensitive to effects of environment for the tendency to initiate guarding behaviour, but were more persistent in high-AHB environments. EHB and AHB may differ in how they allocate individuals to guarding. The positive reinforcement of behaviour that occurs in high-defensive environments and in large populations could cause a stronger stinging response through alarm pheromone recruitment.  2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Successive Cancellation of Power Amplifier Distortion for Multiuser Detection

This paper presents an iterative interference suppression technique to cancel power amplifier (PA) distortion at the receiver. The focus is mainly on single carrier frequency division multiple access systems, and on removing the distortion created by adjacent users' power amplifier. It is assumed that the receiver has perfect knowledge of all the users' transmitter power amplifier nonlinearities. By relaxing the requirement on PA linearity at the mobile terminals, the PA power efficiency can be improved. The simulations show that by utilizing the successive interference cancelation technique, the require signal to noise ratio required to achieve 10^-3 symbol error rate is decreased by 3 - 4 dB. By using a clipped communication signal instead of backing off the power in the transmitter PA, we are able to improve the power added efficiency by 8 percentage points.
Creating supportive environments for CALL teacher autonomy

This chapter reports on a study undertaken on the impact of pedagogical and technological innovations in language teaching and language learning, with a special focus on creating online institutional environments to support teachers’ autonomy in computer assisted language learning (CALL). This study took place at MUELC, a self-funded teaching institution that belongs to a network of Australian universities offering English Language Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS). Significant expansion in student en-rollments has resulted in programs across four locations with all language teachers involved in CALL delivery. Fostering and supporting teacher autonomy became the key premise for the creation of multifaceted in-house CALL support initiatives, one of them an online portal containing resources for teaching and learning as well as tools for reflection on practice and opportunities for professional development. Language teachers have been building this intranet portal site using the theoretical frameworks of practitioner-based inquiry and organizational change management. The evaluation of this study reflects the duality of the research aims; namely, the features of the developed product and the learning process of the teachers involved. This may be of value to other language institutions embarking on similar online projects.
Comparative proteome analysis of human esophageal cancer and adjacent normal tissues

Objective(s): Ranking as the sixth commonest cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) represents one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. One of the main reasons for the low survival of patients with esophageal cancer is its late diagnosis. Materials and Methods: We used proteomics approach to analyze ESCC tissues with the aim of a better understanding of the malignant mechanism and searching candidate protein biomarkers for early diagnosis of esophageal cancer. The differential protein expression between cancerous and normal esophageal tissues was investigated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE). Then proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) and MASCOT web based search engine. Results: We reported 4 differentially expressed proteins involved in the pathological process of esophageal cancer, such as annexinA1 (ANXA1), peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2), transgelin (TAGLN) andactin-aortic smooth muscle (ACTA2). Conclusion: In this report we have introduced new potential biomarker (ACTA2). Moreover, our data confirmed some already known markers for EC in our region.
Empirical evaluation of information visualizations: an introduction

Throughout the 1990s, we have witnessed the burgeoning interest and rapidly advancing technologies in the "eld of information visualization (Card, Mackinlay & Shneiderman, 1999; Chen, 1999; Ware, 2000). This "eld has captured the imagination of researchers and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines all over the world. Increasingly powerful and visually appealing information visualization techniques are "nding their way into everyday life in our information society. The widespread proliferation of information visualization techniques has also highlighted the need for principles and methodologies for empirical evaluation of these techniques. Urgently needed are improved methods in areas such as task analysis, usability evaluation and usage analysis, especially those with special emphasis on visualization}intrinsic user interfaces. Until recently, research in information visualization has largely focused on the development of innovative computing techniques. George Robertson, the inventor of wellknown information visualization techniques such as Cone Trees (Robertson, Mackinlay & Card, 1991), was among the "rst to draw our attention to the importance of empirical evaluation with his keynote speech in 1998 at the IEEE Information Visualization Symposium. We are "nally beginning to see evaluations of advanced visualization techniques, but progress has been slow and isolated (e.g. Pirolli, Card & Van Der Wege, 2000; Graham, Kennedy & Hand, 2000). This special issue aims to provide a timely and unifying forum for researchers and practitioners to tackle some of the fundamental and practical issues concerning empirical evaluation of information visualizations. We have solicited nine original articles on topics related to this theme. Two thematic aspects become apparent in this special issue, namely, evaluating well-known information visualization techniques and analysing the use of information visualization techniques in a practical context. A detailed introduction will be given below to guide the reader of the special issue.
A Variable Step Size Based Improved Multiband-Structured Adaptive Filter Algortihm

Subband adaptive filter algorithms are able to improve the convergence behavior by performing the prewhitening procedure on the input signals. In this paper, we propose a new variable step size improved multiband-structured subband adaptive filter algorithm which dynamically selects subband filters (VSS-IMASF) in order to improve the steady-state performance. The step size is controlled by the estimated mean square deviation (MSD) in order to achieve better steady state performance. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has lower steady state MSD and more robustness compared with the existing subband algorithms.
Geographical Distribution of Methanogenic Archaea in Nine Representative Paddy Soils in China

Paddy field methanogenic archaea are responsible for methane (CH4) production and contribute significantly to climate change. The information regarding the spatial variations in the abundance, the diversity and the composition of such ecologically important microbes, however, is quite limited at large scale. In this investigation, we studied the abundance, alpha diversity and geographical distribution of methanogenic archaeal communities in nine representative paddy sites, along a large latitudinal gradient in China, using pyrosequencing and real-time quantitative PCR. It is found that all paddy soils harbor constant methanogenic archaeal constituents, which is dominated by family Methanocellaceae (37.3%), Methanobacteriaceae (22.1%), Methanosaetaceae (17.2%), and Methanosarcinaceae (9.8%). Methanogenic archaeal abundance is primarily influenced by soil C (R = 0.612, P = 0.001) and N (R = 0.673, P = 0.001) contents, as well as alpha diversity by soil pH (PD: R = -0.552, P = 0.006; Chao1: R = -0.615, P = 0.002). Further exploration revealed that both spatial distance (R = 0.3469, P = 0.001, partial mental test) and soil chemical variables mainly about soil C and N (R = 0.2847, P = 0.001) are the two major factors affecting methanogenic archaeal community composition distribution in paddy soils. This finding will allow us to develop a better picture of the biogeographic ranges of these ecologically important microbes and get deeper insights into their ecology.
The Evolution of the Global Stellar Mass Density at 0 < z < 3

The buildup of stellar mass in galaxies is the consequence of their past star formation and merging histories. Here we report measurements of rest-frame optical light and calculations of stellar mass at high redshift based on an infrared-selected sample of galaxies from the Hubble Deep Field-North. The bright envelope of rest-frame B-band galaxy luminosities is similar in the range 0 < z < 3, and the comoving luminosity density is constant to within a factor of 3 over that redshift range. However, galaxies at higher redshifts are bluer, and stellar population modeling indicates that they had significantly lower mass-to-light ratios than those of present-day L* galaxies. This leads to a global stellar mass density, Ω* , that rises with time from z = 3 to the present. This measurement essentially traces the integral of the cosmic star formation history that has been the subject of previous investigations. Between 50% and 75% of the present-day stellar mass density had formed by z ~ 1, but at z ≈ 2.7 we find that only 3%-14% of today's stars were present. This increase in Ω* with time is broadly consistent with observations of the evolving global star formation rate, once dust extinction is taken into account, but is steeper at 1 < z < 3 than predicted by some recent semianalytic models of galaxy formation. The observations appear to be inconsistent with scenarios in which the bulk of stars in present-day galactic spheroids formed at z ≫ 2.
Multivariate EEG signal analysis for early prediction of epileptic seizure

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder. It will be of great help for the epileptic patient if the seizure can be predicted in advance as timely prediction of the epileptic seizure reduces the risk of injury and timely medication can be given to the patient. In this paper multivariate analysis of EEG signals is proposed to predict an epileptic seizure and identify an epileptogenic region. Brain region is divided into five different zones to localize epileptogenic region. Two linear parameters, variance and complexity and one nonlinear parameter correlation is explored for prediction of an epileptic seizure. Correlation has been computed using a sliding window to predict the seizure. An increase in variance and complexity is observed during pre-ictal period. Results show that seizure can be predicted in advance and also the epileptogenic region can be localized and identified.
International Conference on Information Systems ( ICIS ) 1-1-2008 Real Options from RFID Adoption : The Role of Institutions and Managerial Mindfulness

Widely hailed as the next generation auto-identification technology, RFID has captured the imaginations of organizations across different industry sectors. Accordingly, organizational managers are faced with the important but difficult task of evaluating RFID in the context of their organization and deciding upon its adoption. This research uses the real options perspective to understand how managers’ recognition of the real options from the adoption of RFID affects their adoption decision-making. Conceptualizing the recognition of real options as a sense-making exercise by managers, we investigate the roles played by the institution in which the organization operates, and managers’ own mindfulness in recognizing these options. Using responses collected from 110 managers responsible for RFID adoption in their organizations, we demonstrate that managers recognize and value the presence of real options, and it affects their intention to adopt RFID. Both institutional factors and managerial mindfulness are found important in recognizing