Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A greedy algorithm for finding a large 2‐matching on a random cubic graph

A 2‐matching of a graph G is a spanning subgraph with maximum degree two. The size of a 2‐matching U is the number of edges in U and this is at least n−κ(U) where n is the number of vertices of G and κ denotes the number of components. In this article, we analyze the performance of a greedy algorithm 2greedy for finding a large 2‐matching on a random 3‐regular graph. We prove that with high probability, the algorithm outputs a 2‐matching U with κ(U)=Θ∼(n1/5) .
Ultrasonic imaging technologies in perspective

Ultrasonic imaging is a mature and widely used medical diagnostic technology but it is also a field of intense research activity. Innovations are viewed with differing perspectives by the stakeholders− users, industrialists, regulators, and researchers and research funders. The more important recent developments include advances in transducers, scanning schemes, coded excitation, three-dimensional, high-resolution and high-speed imaging, contrast agents, harmonic, elasticity and strain imaging, point-of-care devices, computed tomography, thermoacoustic, photoacoustic, acousto-optic and Hall effect imaging. Viewed from diverse perspectives, the assessment of ultrasonic imaging technologies is intellectually challenging. This is a general problem, which demands a multidisciplinary approach. An emerging, integrated, context for such assessment is presented. Given the straitened economies around the world, the need to articulate value for each and all stakeholders is becoming increasingly important.
Outage probability and SER of two-hop MIMO relaying systems with a fixed-gain relay and antenna selection

A two-hop amplify-and-forward (AF) multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) relaying system with antenna selection at each node is analyzed in this paper. Fixed-gain relaying strategy which has a low complexity is considered at the relay. New exact expressions for outage probability and average symbol error rate (SER) for a variety of modulation schemes are derived. To gain insight as to how parameters influence system performance, the coding gain and diversity diversity are analytically presented. Also, asymptotic behavior for outage probability and average SER at high signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) are quantified. Finally, computer simulations are compared with the analytical expressions to verify the exactness of the derived theoretical results.
Computational limits to binary genes

We analyse the trade-off between the speed with which a gene can propagate information, the noise of its output and its metabolic cost. Our main finding is that for any given level of metabolic cost there is an optimal trade-off between noise and processing speed. Any system with a non-vanishing leak expression rate is suboptimal, i.e. it will exhibit higher noise and/or slower speed than leak-free systems with the same metabolic cost. We also show that there is an optimal Hill coefficient h which minimizes noise and metabolic cost at fixed speeds, and an optimal threshold K which minimizes noise.
Alternative Views of the Monetary Transmission Mechanism: What Difference Do They Make for Monetary Policy?

This paper examines how alternative views of the monetary transmission mechanism affect the choice of a monetary policy rule. The main finding is that many different structural models indicate that the same simple monetary policy rule--one in which the central bank's target short-term interest rate reacts to inflation and to real output--would perform well. Such rules work well even in models where the monetary transmission mechanism has a relatively strong exchange-rate channel. The models differ, however, in their implications for more complex monetary rules. Copyright 2000 by Oxford University Press.
CCR New Strategies New Strategies in Breast Cancer : The Signi fi cance of Molecular Subtypes in Systemic Adjuvant Treatment for Small T 1 a , bN 0 M 0 Tumors

Awareness of breast cancer heterogeneity has strikingly increased in the past decade in parallel with the development of high-throughput molecular tests. Beyond the clear usefulness of antiestrogen treatment in luminal tumors and trastuzumab in HER2-positive tumors, breast cancer subtypes may have additional clinical and predictive roles that can be relevant to clinical practice. In this article, we discuss the significance of molecular subtypes in the systemic treatment of early-stage breast tumors smaller than 1 cm (T1a,bN0M0) and suggest new strategies for future treatment recommendations for these patients. Clin Cancer Res; 20(24); 1–5. 2014 AACR.
Learning and Recognizing Human Actions Using PCA and 3-D Motion Trajectories

An approach for learning and recognizing human actions in videos is described. The proposed approach learns various actions through principle component analysis (PCA) of motion curves, and recognizes observed actions using features of their motion curves. Trajectories of one or more key points on the human body are created. A curve is fitted to each trajectory to smooth noise and to produce a continuous and smooth motion curve. A motion curve is partitioned into segments, each representing a basic motion. A basic motion is then recognized by projecting its features to an eigenspace created by PCA and following the k-nearest
A 3 dmemory Test Using A Global Built-In Self-Repair With Redundancy Sharing And Parallel Testing

3D integration is a promising technology that provides high memory bandwidth, reduced power, shortened latency, and smaller form factor. Among many issues in 3D IC design and production, testing remains one of the major challenges. This paper introduces a new designfor-test technique called 3D-GESP, an efficient Built-In-Self-Repair (BISR) algorithm to fulfill the test and reliability needs for 3D-stacked memories. Instead of the local testing and redundancy allocation method as most current BISR techniques employed, we introduce a global 3D BISR scheme, which not only enables redundancy sharing, but also parallelizes the BISR procedure among all the stacked layers of a 3D memory. Our simulation results show that our proposed technique will significantly increase the memory repair rate and reduce the test time.
A Social Network Database that Learns How to Answer Queries

Social networks are ubiquitous, with online networks garnering a large portion of Web traffic. Both online and offline, social networks structures are an interesting data source whose importance has been recognized for over a hundred years. Research on social network analysis has dealt with properties of entire networks, in addition to properties of nodes or sets of nodes. A user queries a social network in pursuit of a desired outcome, such as an expert on a specific medical condition, a set of influential people to promote a new product, or a well-balanced group of database experts to form a program committee. The user may know what the desired outcome is, and may even be able to express it in a formal query language, given the right abstract predicates to represent typical social-network measures (e.g., the importance of a node or its relevance to some keywords). However, choosing the best implementations for these predicates, as well as optimal ranking functions for the results, will often be beyond the abilities of a standard user. In fact, even an expert may experience difficulty with such a task, as the quality of solutions may depend on the precise query at hand, the user preferences, and the nature of the network. This paper suggests a novel vision of a social network database system. This system incorporates abstract predicates relevant to social networks as primitive building blocks in the query language, and uses machine learning, as an integral part of the query processor, to select and improve upon the predicate implementations. The paper discusses the main features of such a system, as well as the implementation challenges.
Exploiting gradient information in continuous iterated density estimation evolutionary algorithms

For continuous optimization problems, evolutionary algorithms (EAs) that build and use probabilistic models have obtained promising results. However, the local gradient information of the fitness function is not used in these EAs. In the case of optimization of continuous differentiable functions, it may be less efficient to disregard this information. In this paper, we therefore hybridize pure continuous iterated density estimation evolutionary algorithms (IDEAs) by using the conjugate gradient algorithm on a selection of the solutions. We test the resulting algorithm on a few well known difficult continuous differentiable function optimization problems. The results indicate that exploiting gradient information in probabilistic model building EAs leads to more efficient continuous optimization
Emergence of Mixed-Oil Fat Emulsions for Use in Parenteral Nutrition

Since early work by Wretlind and Schuberth led to the development of a stable and safe intravenous fat emulsion (IFE) using soybean oil (SO) and egg phospholipid emulsifier, IFEs have become a crucial source of essential fatty acids and nonprotein energy in parenteral nutrition. However, largely due to their high &ohgr;-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and phytosterol content, SO IFEs have been associated with complications, including a proinflammatory profile and hypertriglyceridemia, as well as intestinal failure–associated liver disease. Subsequent generations of IFEs have used other sources of triglycerides, including medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), olive oil (OO), and fish oil (FO), to reduce the SO component. Although these IFEs showed some improvement in complications compared with SO IFE, the quest to develop an IFE with a better side effect profile and beneficial physiologic effects led to the development of a mixed-oil (MO) IFE (Smoflipid; 30% SO, 30% MCTs, 25% OO, and 15% FO) that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The use of a MO approach is theoretically and intuitively more physiologically similar to normal dietary human consumption. Although the data are from small, short-term trials, MO IFE results thus far have been promising, with some studies showing improved liver function tests, improvement in triglycerides, higher &ohgr;-3/&ohgr;-6 PUFA ratio, and higher &agr;-tocopherol. Larger long-term studies are needed to ensure these theoretical benefits lead to significant improvement in clinical outcomes.
A Top-Down Approach to Estimating Spatially Heterogeneous Impacts of Development Aid on Vegetative Carbon Sequestration

Since 1945, over $4.9 trillion dollars of international aid has been allocated to developing countries. To date, there have been no estimates of the regional impact of this aid on the carbon cycle. We apply a geographically explicit matching method to estimate the relative impact of large-scale World Bank projects implemented between 2000 and 2010 on sequestered carbon, using a novel and publicly available data set of 61,243 World Bank project locations. Considering only carbon sequestered due to fluctuations in vegetative biomass caused by World Bank projects, we illustrate the relative impact of World Bank projects on carbon sequestration. We use this information to illustrate the geographic variation in the apparent effectiveness of environmental safeguards implemented by the World Bank. We argue that sub-national data can help to identify geographically heterogeneous impact effects, and highlight many remaining methodological challenges.
Battered Immigrant Mexican Women's Perspectives Regarding Abuse and Help-Seeking

SUMMARY A qualitative, pilot study employing in-depth ethno-graphic interviews was conducted to examine perceptions and attitudes towards abuse and the help-seeking behaviors of a sample of ten battered immigrant Mexican women. Findings indicated that participants' attitudes about seeking help were influenced more by cultural factors (e.g., gender-role expectations, famialism) than by psycho-social stres-sors (e.g., immigrant status, financial dependency). Children's welfare played a salient role in women's decisions about seeking help, both as a deterrent and a motivating factor. Women's attitudes about their own abuse were more tolerant than their attitudes about hypothetical situations involving others. Changes in women's attitudes about abuse reflected changes only after some type of intervention had taken place. The majority of the women in the sample had misconceptions or were uninformed about shelters. Suggestions for further research and intervention with this population and a model of internal an.
Developing Flexible Software Using Agent-Oriented Software Engineering

Over the past decade, software agents and multiagent systems have grown into a powerful software engineering paradigm. They enable abstractions not only from the problem domain but also toward dynamic solutions that evolve in real time, depending on environmental stimuli to the software system. Agent-oriented software engineering supports the design of dynamically interacting components, each with its own thread of control, and using complex coordination protocols such as networking applications, ubiquitous computing, and sensor networks. The major pitfall so far has been the lack of sufficient engineering methodology. Author Hisham Mubarak looks at the engineering of agent-oriented systems and provides practical guidance to get started.
Skin Conductance Fluctuations Correlate Poorly with Postoperative Self-report Pain Measures in School-aged Children

Background:The number of fluctuations of skin conductance per second (NFSC) has been shown to correlate with induced pain and self-report pain scales. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and feasibility of NFSC as an objective measurement of nociception intensity in school-aged children after surgery. Methods:After approval by the research ethics board and obtaining consent, 100 subjects participated in this prospective observational study. Preoperatively, NFSC was measured for 60 s at rest and during response to a self-report pain scale (numeric rating scale [NRS], Faces Pain Scale-Revised) and anxiety scoring (NRS). Postoperative measurements were repeated every 10 min for 30 min or until NRS pain score was ≤ 4 for two consecutive scores. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate the relationship between NFSC and NRS pain, Faces Pain Scale-Revised, and NRS anxiety. The clinical utility of using NFSC in determining NRS pain threshold was investigated using receiver operator characteristics analysis. For clinical relevance, a cutoff NFSC was chosen that optimizes both specificity and sensitivity. Although selecting a low cutoff value increases the sensitivity of the NFSC in diagnosing pain, it does so at the expense of specificity. Results:Data from 90 subjects (64.4% male) aged 7–17 yr (median age 13 yr) were analyzed (217 postoperative datasets). NFSC correlated weakly with NRS pain scores (P = 0.21; P < 0.002). NFSC did not correlate with NRS anxiety scores (P = 0.15, P < 0.03). NRS pain scores correlated strongly with Faces Pain Scale-Revised (P = 0.89, P < 0.0001) and weakly with NRS anxiety scores (P = 0.34, P < 0.0001). A threshold of 0.23 NFSC predicted severe pain (NRS ≥ 7) with 56.3% sensitivity (95% CI = 37.7–73.6%) and 78.4% specificity (95% CI = 71.7–84.1%). The area under receiver operator characteristic curve for NFSC was 69.1%. Conclusions:NFSC measurement is feasible in a perioperative setting but was not specific for postoperative pain intensity and was unable to identify analgesia requirements when compared with self-report measures.
Toward IT Value Mapping - An Approach to Value-Based IT Management

Recent research has shown that companies face considerable difficulties in implementing a value-based management of their IT portfolios. This paper therefore presents an approach for measuring and managing the business value of IT investments. To ensure practicability, our approach is derived from a set of practice-based requirements extending previous empirical work. In our conceptual model we distinguish between capital budgeting and ongoing value management. For capital budgeting we propose to assess IT investments according to their expected business value by using net present value analysis and a scoring model. For ongoing value management we recommend to keep track of a set of project specific key performance indicators to ensure that the desired benefits are realized. In order to link these two fundamental processes, value drivers and measurable performance indicators have to be identified. Thus we combine established evaluation for an integrated IT Portfolio assessment considering financial, non-financial and risk effects as well.
Heteroconium chaetospira Induces Resistance to Clubroot via Upregulation of Host Genes Involved in Jasmonic Acid, Ethylene, and Auxin Biosynthesis

An endophytic fungus, Heteroconium chaetospira isolate BC2HB1 (Hc), suppressed clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae -Pb) on canola in growth-cabinet trials. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that Hc penetrated canola roots and colonized cortical tissues. Based on qPCR analysis, the amount of Hc DNA found in canola roots at 14 days after treatment was negatively correlated (r = 0.92, P<0.001) with the severity of clubroot at 5 weeks after treatment at a low (2×105 spores pot−1) but not high (2×105 spores pot−1) dose of pathogen inoculum. Transcript levels of nine B. napus (Bn) genes in roots treated with Hc plus Pb, Pb alone and a nontreated control were analyzed using qPCR supplemented with biochemical analysis for the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyases (PAL). These genes encode enzymes involved in several biosynthetic pathways related potentially to plant defence. Hc plus Pb increased the activity of PAL but not that of the other two genes (BnCCR and BnOPCL) involved also in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, relative to Pb inoculation alone. In contrast, expression of several genes involved in the jasmonic acid (BnOPR2), ethylene (BnACO), auxin (BnAAO1), and PR-2 protein (BnPR-2) biosynthesis were upregulated by 63, 48, 3, and 3 fold, respectively, by Hc plus Pb over Pb alone. This indicates that these genes may be involved in inducing resistance in canola by Hc against clubroot. The upregulation of BnAAO1 appears to be related to both pathogenesis of clubroot and induced defence mechanisms in canola roots. This is the first report on regulation of specific host genes involved in induced plant resistance by a non-mycorrhizal endophyte.
MiR‐132‐3p regulates ADAMTS‐5 expression and promotes chondrogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells

Previous study showed that miRNA aberrant expression is involved in chondrogenic differentiation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of miR‐132‐3p on chondrogenic differentiation and the underlying mechanisms. First, quantitative PCR were performed to determine the level of MiR‐132‐3p. Then, we used luciferase assay to examine the target of miR‐132‐3p. Proteoglycan was tested by Alcian blue staining assay. Moreover, the sex determining region Y‐box 9 (SOX9), Collagen type II alpha 1 chain (COL2A1) and Aggrecan (ACAN) levels were analyzed by quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Our results showed that MiR‐132‐3p level was reduced in rat MSCs (rMSCs) during chondrogenic differentiation. Ectopic expression of miR‐132‐3p induced proteoglycan accumulation and the increase of ACAN, SOX9 and COL2A1 expression, which were involved in inducing chondrogenic differentiation of rMSCs. More importantly, ADAMTS‐5 was identified as the target of MiR‐132‐3p. Knockdown of ADAMTS‐5 increased proteoglycan level, but reduced the SOX9, ACAN, and COL2A1 levels during chondrogenic differentiation of rMSCs. Taken together, our results revels that MiR‐132‐3p promotes rMSCs chondrogenic differentiation, possibly mediated by targeting ADAMTS‐5, which provided new perspective on the chondrogenic differentiation and pathology of osteoarthritis.
A Man Left Albuquerque Heading East: Word Problems as Genre in Mathematics Education

Word problems, or story problems, have been a part of mathematical education for the past 4,000 years. This book considers mathematical word problems as a genre, drawing on analytic theory from linguistics, literary criticism, and mathematics education. Raising the question, « what are word problems? , this book addresses it by « taking a walk around the genre to see it from many points of view, including the linguistic, the historical, and the pedagogical. "A Man Left Albuquerque Heading East sheds light on the nature of genre in education and inspires teachers to use word problems in new ways, with different intentions.
Nutrient regulation of insulin gene expression

The β cell of the islets of Langerhans contributes along with other factors to glucose homeostasis by sensing changes in the plasma glucose concentrations and adjusting the rate of insulin production and release. Over short periods of time, insulin production is controlled principally through translation of pre‐existing mRNA. Over longer periods, insulin mRNA levels are modulated through effects on the rate of transcription of the insulin gene, and also through changes in the rate of decay of insulin mRNA. These long‐term effects may be important in allowing the β cell to adapt to changes in diet or periods of fasting. Several mechanisms involved in the control of the rate of translation of insulin mRNA have been described. Effects of glucose metabolism on the turnover of insulin mRNA have yet to be characterized in detail. At the level of transcription, cis‐acting DNA elements and trans‐acting factors involved in the transient response of the insulin gene to changes in intracellular cAMP levels, or to signals generated as a result of glucose metabolism, have been identified. — Docherty, K. , Clark, A. R. Nutrient regulation of insulin gene expression. FASEB J. 8: 20‐27; 1994.
Improving the performance of on-road vehicle detection by combining Gabor and wavelet features

Appearance-based methods represent a promising research direction to the problem of vehicle detection. These methods learn the characteristics of the vehicle class from a set of training images which capture the variability in vehicle appearance. First, training images are represented by a set of features. Then, the decision boundary between the vehicle and nonvehicle classes is computed by modelling the probability distribution of the features In each class or through learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of two important types of features for vehicle detection based on Haar wavelets and Gabor filters. In both cases, the decision boundary is computed using support vector machines (SVMs). Wavelet features encode edge information. Gabor filters provide a mechanism for obtaining orientation and scale tunable edge and line detectors. Our experimental results and comparisons using real data illustrate the effectiveness of both types of features for vehicle detection, with Gabor features performing the better. The two feature sets yield different misclassification errors which led us to the idea of combining them for improving performance. The combined set of features outperformed each feature set alone on completely novel test images.