Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depression, social anxiety, and attachment as predictors of the use and quality of cyber communication

DEPRESSION, SOCIAL ANXIETY, AND ATTACHMENT AS PREDICTORS OF THE USE AND QUALITY OF CYBER COMMUNICATION. Stefan E. LaTulip Old Dominion University, 2013 Director: Dr. Barbara Winstead This study examined the influence of depression symptoms, social anxiety symptoms, and adult attachment style on the use and the perceptions o f the quality of cyber communications with close friends, romantic partners, and family members. One hundred thirty-five individuals completed an initial survey, with sixty five o f the original group completing a follow-up survey five weeks later. Results indicated that anxious attachment was associated with a greater reported usage o f social networking sites, whereas avoidant attachment predicted less instant message use over time. Depression symptoms and avoidant attachment were generally associated with perceptions o f higher negativity and lower positivity with some of the target groups, where as social anxiety symptoms were generally associated with perceptions o f more positive interactions. These findings indicate that depression symptoms, social anxiety symptoms, and attachment are differentially associated with quantity and perceived quality o f use of cyber communication. Implications for understanding the relationship between psychological symptoms and problematic interpersonal behavior via social networking activities are discussed.
train energy density of VO 2-based microactuators

The strain, stress and strain energy density of a vanadium dioxide (VO2)-based microactuator were obtained from experimental curvature measurements as a function of temperature. The study revealed fully reversible strain and stress changes of up to −0.32% and −510 MPa, respectively, and a maximum strain energy density of approximately 8.1 × 105 J/m3 through a temperature window of only 15 ◦C. The method for obtaining the strain energy density in this work is more accurate than the ones presented
Space-filling curves for Partitioning Adaptively Refined Meshes

We present a general space-filling curve algorithm for partitioning an arbitrary 3D mesh. We discuss communication patterns in Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) applications and how we can reduce communication and improve the quality of partitions using a better space-filling curve. We compare the our partitions with those generated using Morton order, which is currently used by majority of AMR software frameworks. We used the MiniAMR miniapp from Mantevo to generate our test cases and also measure the various costs involved in adpative mesh refinement.
GPU-based Acceleration of Deep Convolutional Neural Networks on Mobile Platforms

Mobile applications running on wearable devices and smartphones can greatly benefit from accurate and scalable deep CNN-based machine learning algorithms. While mobile CPU performance does not match the intensive computational requirement of deep CNNs, the embedded GPU which already exists in many mobile platforms can be leveraged for acceleration of CNN computations on the local device and without the use of a cloud service. We present a GPU-based accelerated deep CNN engine for mobile platforms with upto 60X speedup.
Iwssip 2010 -17th International Conference on Systems, Signals and Image Processing 219 Emotional Brain Activation Model Based on Computer Theory and Digital Image Processing

— Human beings are constantly stimulated to activate mental operations associated with emotion. Moreover, there are different neural mechanisms that correspond to each emotion degrees. Science lacks knowledge on the operation of such mechanisms, despite being notorious that some regions are related to particular emotions. Modern studies generally enumerate the relationship <mental process, activation region>, while it would be much more interesting if they try to explain the brain engine aspects. This article intends to present a technique for modeling human brain as a computable object by using Computer Theory and Digital Image Processing. A pattern cerebral activation recognizer Turing Machine was constructed from functional magnetic resonance images in order to systemize the cerebral activation human process for a limited set of emotional stimulations.
Scalable Linear Predictive Coding of Time-Consistent 3D Mesh Sequences

We present a linear predictive compression approach for time-consistent 3D mesh sequences supporting and exploiting scalability. The algorithm decomposes each frame of a mesh sequence in layers employing patch-based mesh simplification techniques. This layered decomposition is consistent in time. Following the predictive coding paradigm, local temporal and spatial dependencies between layers and frames are exploited for compression. Prediction is performed vertex-wise from coarse to fine layers exploiting the motion of already encoded 1-ring neighbor vertices for prediction of the current vertex location. It is shown that a predictive exploitation of the proposed layered configuration of vertices can improve the compression performance upon other state-of-the-art approaches by up to 16% in domains relevant for applications.
The impact of literature education on students' perceptions of self and others: Exploring personal and social learning experiences in relation to teacher approach

The Dutch Institute for Curriculum Development argues that literature education is important for broadening students' personal, social and cultural horizons. Indeed, reading literary fiction may alter readers' self- and social perceptions, but little is known about whether adolescents gain such personal and social insights through reading in the secondary literature classroom, nor about how these per-ceived learning outcomes are related to their teachers' approaches to various aspects of literature teaching. Thus, the aims of this study were to examine the impact of literature education on students' self- and social perceptions and to explore relationships between students' learning experiences and their teachers' classroom practices. Dutch students (N=297, grades 10-12) wrote a learner report about what they learned about themselves and other people through literature education, and completed a measure on familiarity with fiction. Their teachers (N=13) completed the Teachers' Approaches to Literature Education Questionnaire (TALE-Q), which indicated more analytical-interpretative or personal-experiential approaches to three aspects of teaching. Students of teachers with distinct approaches to these aspects were grouped to compare their learning experiences. Findings showed that nearly all students (99%) reported to have learned something about themselves and others through literature education, mainly personal characterizations of oneself and others, learn-ing about oneself and others as literary readers, descriptions and evaluations of people's behaviors, and lessons for life. In addition, teachers' reports of more classroom interaction and student autonomy were related to students' more frequent reports of personal and social insights, but this may also partly be explained by students being more familiar with fiction and having a more positive attitude toward liter-ary reading. Implications for personal and social learning in the literature classroom are discussed.
Optimizing SpMV for Diagonal Sparse Matrices on GPU

Sparse Matrix-Vector multiplication (SpMV) is an important computational kernel in scientific applications. Its performance highly depends on the nonzero distribution of sparse matrices. In this paper, we propose a new storage format for diagonal sparse matrices, defined as Compressed Row Segment with Diagonal-pattern (CRSD). In CRSD, we design diagonal patterns to represent the diagonal distribution. As the Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have tremendous computation power and OpenCL makes them more suitable for the scientific computing, we implement the SpMV for CRSD format on the GPUs using OpenCL. Since the OpenCL kernels are complied at runtime, we design the code generator to produce the codelets for all diagonal patterns after storing matrices into CRSD format. Specifically, the generated codelets already contain the index information of nonzeros, which reduces the memory pressure during the SpMV operation. Furthermore, the code generator also utilizes property of memory architecture and thread schedule on the GPUs to improve the performance. In the evaluation, we select four storage formats from prior state-of-the-art implementations (Bell and Garland, 2009) on GPU. Experimental results demonstrate that the speedups reach up to 1.52 and 1.94 in comparison with the optimal implementation of the four formats for the double and single precision respectively. We also evaluate on a two-socket quad-core Intel Xeon system. The speedups reach up to 11.93 and 12.79 in comparison with CSR format under 8 threads for the double and single precision respectively.
TASI Lectures on Non-BPS D-Brane Systems

In this set of lectures various properties of D-branes are discussed. After re-viewing the basics, we discuss unstable D-brane/anti-D-brane systems, a subject pioneered by Sen. Following him, we discuss the construction of the non-BPS D0-brane in type I theory. This state is stable since it carries a conserved Z 2 charge. The general classiﬁcation of D-brane charges using K-theory is discussed. The results for the type I theory, and the T-dual type I ′ theory, are emphasized. Compactiﬁcation of type I on a circle or torus gives a theory with 16 supersymmetries in 9d or 8d. In each case the moduli space has three branches. The spectrum of non-BPS D-branes are diﬀerent for each of these branches. We conclude by pointing out some problems with the type I D7-brane and D8-brane predicted by K-theory.
Comparison of stress distributions and failure modes during thermal cycling and power cycling on high power IGBT modules

The paper presents experimental investigations on both power and thermal cycling conditions on 600 V-200 A six-pack IGBT power modules. Both types of cycles are compared in term of thermo- mechanical stresses by using finite element simulations. Finally, combined stresses are simulated in order to assess the real conditions of use of these devices in automotive applications.
Basic Research On Advanced Distributed Computing : from Algorithms to SysTems

BROADCAST will develop the principles for understanding, designing, and implementing large scale distributed computing systems (LSDCS), in three broad areas: Fundamental concepts. Evaluate and design computational paradigms (such as ordering, causality, consensus); structuring models (groups and fragmented objects); and algorithms (especially for consistency). Systems Architecture. Develop the architecture of LSDCS, in the areas of: naming, identification, binding and locating objects in LSDCS; resource management (e.g. garbage collection); communication and group management. Solutions should scale and take into account fragmentation, and recent technological developments (disconnectable devices and 64-bit address spaces). Systems Engineering. Efficiently supporting the architecture, exploiting the concepts and algorithms developed earlier, as kernel and storage support for numerous fine-grain complex objects; and programming support tools for building distributed applications. Broadcast Technical Reports can be ordered in hardcopy from the Broadcast Secretariat. They are also available electronically: by anonymous FTP from server broadcast.esprit. ec.org in directory projects/broadcast/reports; or through the CaberNet Infrastructure AFS filesystem, in directory /afs/research.ec.org/pro-jects/broadcast/reports. Logging is a particular storage semantic involving specific storage mechanisms, e.g. finding the log end or sequencing through a log. This paper presents the main logging techniques issues through a study of four existing logging systems implemented as independent storage systems: Clio, Camelot DLF, KI T L O G and Sprite LFS. It aims to provide a clear view of problems and actual solutions.
Productivity of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) Exposed to PCBs at the Kalamazoo River Superfund Site

A 123-km stretch of the Kalamazoo River in Michigan, was designated a Superfund site in 1990 due to historical releases of effluent containing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated paper waste. Risk to bird species in the river ecosystem was evaluated using the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) as a monitor for possible effects due to PCB exposure at two nesting locations, one in the Superfund site and one in an upstream reference location that is less contaminated with PCBs. In 2 of the 3 years of the study, clutch size at the contaminated location was 3.7 ± 1.4 and 4.8 ± 0.73 eggs per nest (mean ± SD), which was significantly less than the clutch size at the reference location (5.0 ± 1.1 and 5.3 ± 1.1 eggs per nest). However, there were no statistically significant differences in fledging success, predicted brood size, predicted number of fledglings, or growth of nestlings between the Kalamazoo River Superfund site and an upstream reference location with lesser concentrations of PCBs in the sediments and riparian soils. Productivity and hatching success comparisons between these same sites were also not significantly different; however, the power of these conclusions was less (p < .10). The reduction in clutch size at the co-contaminated location could not be attributed to PCBs due to a number of confounding factors, including Co-cocontaminants, habitat structure, and food availability. Other reproductive parameters were not significantly impaired, and the size of the newly established colony at the Kalamazoo River Superfund site continued to grow over the period of the study. These site-specific observations, combined with multiple lines of evidence approach that considered results reported for the effects of both total PCBs and 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQ) on tree swallows at other locations, suggest that there were no significant population-level effects of PCBs on tree swallows at the Kalamazoo River Superfund site.
Hiking Leisure

This study explores how hiking trips in the forest afford two Norwegian families experiences of leisure during the trips. In situ interviews were analyzed using a descriptive phenomenological research method, which brackets theoretical or ideological assumptions during data collection and analysis. The results show that three levels of experience are interwoven. First, individual family members, parents as well as children, are immersed in the activities in their physical environment, which evokes positive bodily feelings. Second, interactions and dialogue between family members concerning actual events during the trip give rise to a sense of belonging and togetherness. Finally, the family creates a narrative about itself in the light of its own future as well as sociocultural expectations. We characterize this tapestry of experiences as an act of hiking leisure. We conclude that the experience of the hiking trip goes beyond a simple duality of a core versus balance activity theory and answers the call for research that incorporates the natural contexts in which leisure activities take place.
Dexmedetomidine Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide Induced MCP-1 Expression in Primary Astrocyte

Background. Neuroinflammation which presents as a possible mechanism of delirium is associated with MCP-1, an important proinflammatory factor which is expressed on astrocytes. It is known that dexmedetomidine (DEX) possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of DEX on the production of MCP-1 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated astrocytes. Materials and Methods. Astrocytes were treated with LPS (10 ng/ml, 50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, and 1000 ng/ml), DEX (500 ng/mL), LPS (100 ng/ml), and DEX (10, 100, and 500 ng/mL) for a duration of three hours; expression levels of MCP-1 were measured by real-time PCR. The double immunofluorescence staining protocol was utilized to determine the expression of α2-adrenoceptors (α2AR) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) on astrocytes. Results. Expressions of MCP-1 mRNA in astrocytes were induced dose-dependently by LPS. Administration of DEX significantly inhibited the expression of MCP-1 mRNA (P < 0.001). Double immunofluorescence assay showed that α2AR colocalize with GFAP, which indicates the expression of α2-adrenoceptors in astrocytes. Conclusions. DEX is a potent suppressor of MCP-1 in astrocytes induced with lipopolysaccharide through α2A-adrenergic receptors, which potentially explains its beneficial effects in the treatment of delirium by attenuating neuroinflammation.
Network Topology Discovery through Self-Constrained Decisions

Network Topology Discovery is crucial to a number of network management tasks. Traditional topology discovery techniques require internal nodes to take actions on measurement packets, which makes them unpractical in many cases. For these reasons, tomographic techniques have been introduced, which allow for the reconstruction of network topologies with no need for cooperation from internal routers. The usual approach to tomographic topology discovery is based on clustering nodes into tree structures according to soft similarity metrics. We recently proposed a novel technique based on decision theoretic considerations that help the topology reconstruction by limiting the set of hypotheses to a finite and well-defined set, thus determing hard metrics. In the scheme, probe traffic is sent to all couples of end-nodes and a metric is assigned to each measurement. In this paper, we extend the technique by ordering the topology reconstruction procedure according to metrics reliability defined in terms of their variances. The algorithms presented in the paper are validated through extensive simulations in several network scenarios. The results show that such a methodology allows to retrieve a complete picture of the network that includes the detection of all the internal nodes along with the values of capacities of the interconnecting links.
Graphalytics: A Big Data Benchmark for Graph-Processing Platforms

Graphs are increasingly used in industry, governance, and science. This has stimulated the appearance of many and diverse graph-processing platforms. Although platform diversity is beneficial, it also makes it very challenging to select the best platform for an application domain or one of its important applications, and to design new and tune existing platforms. Continuing a long tradition of using benchmarking to address such challenges, in this work we present our vision for Graphalytics, a big data benchmark for graph-processing platforms. We have already benchmarked with Graphalytics a variety of popular platforms, such as Giraph, GraphX, and Neo4j.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Premature Ejaculation by Urologists in South Korea

Purpose This study discusses the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) using various approaches with the goal of evaluating the methods of diagnosis and treatment of PE in clinical practice in 2014 in South Korea. Materials and Methods We surveyed 200 urologists and andrologists who treated patients with PE from July 1, 2014 to July 29, 2014 using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of 4 parts: disease, comorbidities, diagnosis, and treatment. Using the answers to this survey, current trends in the diagnosis and treatment of PE were investigated using weighted averages. Results The median number per month of patients who were diagnosed with PE was 14 patients (interquartile range, 7~24). The time to ejaculation necessary for a diagnosis of PE was considered to be <1 minute by 12% of respondents, <2 minutes by 27%, <3 minutes by 28%, <5 minutes by 13%, and 20% stated that diagnosis was based on a patient's subjective complaint. The treatment methods preferred by PE patients were reported to be pharmacological treatment (87%), surgical treatment (9.5%), and behavioral management (3.5%). The treatment methods used by respondents were pharmacological treatment (77%), surgical treatment (15%), and behavioral management (14%). The most commonly used pharmacological treatment was the oral administration of dapoxetine (97%). Conclusions In 2014 in South Korea, various methods were used to diagnose and treat PE. The most commonly used treatment for PE was the oral administration of dapoxetine. It was also found that surgical treatment was applied in some cases.
A novel method of online trading customer classification

Correctly and effectively customer classification according to their characteristics and behaviors will be the most important resource for electronic marketing and online trading of network enterprises. Aiming at the shortages of the existing K-means algorithm of data-mining for customer classification, this paper advances a new customer classification algorithm through improving the existing K-means algorithm. Firstly, the paper designs 21 customer classification indicators based on consumer characteristics and behaviors analysis, including customer characteristics type variables and customer behaviors type variables; then, limitation of K-means algorithm is analyzed; following, corresponding improvements for K-means algorithm are advanced including improvement of K-means algorithm principle, improvement of initial classification centers selection and improvement of the flow of K-means algorithm. Finally, the experimental results verify that the new algorithm can improve effectiveness and validity of customer classification when used for classifying network trading customers practically. Key words: Electronic marketing, customer classification, K-means algorithm, consumer characteristics analysis, customer behaviors analysis.
A Functional Data-flow Architecture Dedicated to Real-time Image Processing

This paper presents a data-ow computer developed at ETCA and dedicated to real-time image processing. Two types of data-driven processing elements, dedicated respectively to low and mid-level processings are integrated in a regular 3D array. Its design relies on a close integration of the data-ow architecture principles and the functional programming concept. Image processing data-ow graphs, rst expressed using a functional syntax are directly mapped onto the processor array. The programming environment includes a complete FP-speciication to network conn-guration compilation stream along with a global operator database. An experimental system, including 1024 low-level custom data-ow processors (6 25 MBytes/s, 50 million operations per second) and 12 T800 transputers , was built and several image processing algorithms were run in real time at digital video speed.