Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-corpus relevance projection

Document corpora are key components of information retrieval test collections. However, for certain tasks, such as evaluating the effectiveness of a new retrieval technique or estimating the parameters of a learning to rank model, a corpus alone is not enough. For these tasks, queries and relevance judgments associated with the corpus are also necessary. However, researchers often find themselves in scenarios where they only have access to a corpus, in which case evaluation and learning to rank become challenging. Document corpora are relatively straightforward to gather. On the other hand, obtaining queries and relevance judgments for a given corpus is costly. In production environments, it may be possible to obtain low-cost relevance information using query and click logs. However, in more constrained research environments these options are not available, and relevance judgments are usually provided by humans. To reduce the cost of this potentially expensive process, researchers have developed low-cost evaluation strategies, including minimal test collections [2] and crowdsourcing [1]. Despite the usefulness of these strategies, the resulting relevance judgments cannot easily be “ported” to a new or different corpus. To overcome these issues, we propose a new method to reduce manual annotation costs by transferring relevance judgments across corpora. Assuming that a set of queries and relevance judgments have been manually constructed for a source document corpus Ds, our goal is to automatically construct a test collection for a target document corpus Dt by projecting the existing test collection from Ds onto Dt. The goal of projecting test collections is not to produce manual quality test collections. In fact, it is assumed that projected test collections will contain noisy relevance judgments (i.e., ones which humans are unlikely to agree with). The important question, however, is whether these noisy projected judgments are useful for training ranking models in the target corpus.
Using geometric structures to improve the error correction algorithm of high-throughput sequencing data on MapReduce framework

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data are a rapidly growing example of big data and a source of new knowledge in science. However, sequencing errors remain unavoidable and reduce the quality of NGS data. Error correction, therefore, is a critical step in the successful utilization of NGS data, including de novo genome assembly and DNA resequencing. Since NGS throughput doubles approximately every five months and the length of NGS records (i.e., reads) is increasing, improvements in efficiency and effectiveness of computational strategies are needed. In this study, we aim to improve the performance of CloudRS, an open-source MapReduce application designed to correct sequencing errors in NGS data. We introduce the readmessage (RM) diagram to represent the set of messages, i.e., the key-value pairs generated on each read. We also present the Gradient-number Votes (GNV) scheme in order to trim off portions of the RM diagram, thereby reducing the total size of messages associated with each read. Experimental results show that the GNV scheme successfully reduce execution time and improve the quality of the de novo genome assembly.
Musical Speech: A New Methodology for Transcribing Speech Prosody

Musical Speech is a new methodology for transcribing speech prosody using musical notation. The methodology presented in this paper is an updated version of our work [12]. Our work is situated in a historical context with a brief survey of the literature of speech melodies, in which we highlight the pioneering works of John Steele, Leoš Janáček, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Arnold Schoenberg, followed by a linguistic view of musical notation in the analysis of speech. Finally, we present the current state-of-the-art of our innovative methodology that uses a quarter-tone scale for transcribing speech, and shows some initial results of the application of this methodology to prosodic transcription.
Cell planning based on minimized power consumption for LTE networks

The problem is to obtain the optimal number of base stations (BSs) and their locations on minimized power consumption with requirements of coverage rate and cell load. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model of evaluation index for cell planning and identify the optimization problem. The system model characterizes the total power consumption of planning area, taking into account the radio power, baseband power and cooling system loss. Two other problems, base station number search algorithm and cell sites planning with fixed cell number, are provided to solve the original problem. Simulation result proves that the algorithm enables to find a suboptimal solution, which relatively decreases the total power consumption under the planning constraints.
Distributed Behavioral Cartography of Timed Automata

Real-time systems, characterized by a set of timings constants (internal delays, timers, clock speeds), need to be perfectly reliable. Formal methods can prove their correctness but, if one of the timing constants changes, verification needs to be restarted from scratch. Also, variations of some delays (even infinitesimal) may lead to the specification violation. It is thus interesting to reason parametrically, and synthesize constraints on the timing constants seen as parameters to formally guarantee the specification. We propose here an attempt to distribute a synthesis algorithm, the behavioral cartography, and we evaluate two work distribution algorithms. The parallelization gives promising results and opens perspectives toward verification of larger models.
Managing Trade: Evidence From China and the US

We present a heterogeneous-firm model in which management ability increases both production efficiency and product quality. Combining six micro-datasets on management practices, production and trade in Chinese and American firms, we find broad support for the model's predictions. First, better managed firms are more likely to export, sell more products to more destination countries, and earn higher export revenues and profits. Second, better managed exporters have higher prices, higher quality, and lower quality-adjusted prices. Finally, they also use a wider range of inputs, higher quality and more expensive inputs, and imported inputs from more advanced countries. The structural estimates indicate that management is important for improving production efficiency and product quality in both countries, but it matters more in China than in the US, especially for product quality. Panel analysis for the US and a randomized control trial in India suggest that management exerts causal effects on product quality, production efficiency, and exports. Poor management practices may thus hinder trade and growth, especially in developing countries.
Numerical Analysis of Behavior on Opposing Unsteady Supersonic Jets in a Flow Field with Shields

Collision dynamics of opposing unsteady supersonic jets injected in background gas with shock waves were calculated to simulate double pulsed laser ablation. Since the jets are deflected by collision and the motion of debris is ballistic. This characteristic can be used to reduce the number of debris when shields are mounted in front of substrate. The flow of jets through installed shields is complicated by the interaction between shields and jets, and between shields and shock waves. We investigate influence of shield position on the shock waves and the jets by numerical calculations. Axisymmetric two-dimensional compressible Euler equations were solved using the finite volume method by using ANSYS Fluent 14.0. 0 code. The shields with slit was mounted parallel to the direction of initially injected jets. In order to investigate the influence of shield position on the shock waves and the jets, the shield position and background gas pressure were adopted as parameters. The jets and shock wave are deflected by collision and they can pass through the slit of shields. The passed shock wave reflects at the substrate mounted behind the slits and it forces back the jet to decrease the jet velocity. The shield position governs the velocity and amount of the jet that reach the substrate.
Variable Guard Channels for Efficient Traffic Management

— Guard channels improve the probability of successful handoffs by reserving a number of channels exclusively for handoffs. This concept has the risk of underutilization of radio spectrum due to the fact that fewer channels are granted to originating calls even if these guard channels are not always used, when originating calls are starving for the want of channels. The penalty is the reduction of total carried traffic. The optimum number of guard channels can help reduce this problem. This paper presents fuzzy logic based guard channel scheme wherein guard channels are reorganized on the basis of traffic density, so that guard channels are provided on need basis. This will help in incorporating more originating calls and hence high throughput of the radio spectrum
Computational modeling studies on anti-HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibition by dihydroalkoxybenzyloxopyrimidines analogues: an electrotopological atomistic approach

For the first time we report quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) studies based on Kier-Hall Electrotopological State (E-State) Indices for Dihydroalkoxybenzyloxopyrimidines (DABO) derivatives acting as NNRTIs of HIV-1. A dataset of 74 compounds was compiled from published studies and randomly subdivided into training and test sets. To understand the pharmacophoric effect, Kier-Hall Electrotopological State descriptors namely SN1, SN3, SF, SAr, SS, SO, SNO2, SCl, SY (Y = S-alkyl and NH-alkyl), SX (X = Me) and biological activity were used as independent and dependent variable respectively. Statistical results were highly encouraging for the training set multiple linear regression [(MLR): r2 = 0.961, F = 100.41 and q2 = 0.926, neural networks (NN): r2 = 0.966, F = 115.594, degrees of freedom = 40 and k-nearest neighbour (k-NN): r2 = 0.770, q2 = 0.757, degrees of freedom = 40]. Results of validation using a test set showed the same trend as training set (NN > MLR > kNN). The above results suggest that of various functional groups present in DABO such as SN3, SO, SCl, SAr and SNO2 contribute more significantly towards activity. On the other hand SN1, SS, and SF do not play any role in enhancing the activity. The substitution of S-alkyl and NH-alkyl at C2 position is essential though it does not contribute much towards the activity. The substitution of methyl group at C5 position is unfavorable and exhibit negative impact on inhibitory activity. Therefore, it seems reasonable to choose E-state indices as suitable and significant descriptors for exploring the relationship between the pIC50 and the pharmacological properties of the compounds.
Caries patterns in an urban preschool population in Norway.

AIM This was to describe the prevalence, severity and distribution of caries in a preschool population in Oslo, Norway, and to compare the findings in subgroups according to immigrant status and age. Furthermore, the present data should serve as a baseline for longitudinal studies. METHODS The participating children (n = 775), chosen from 7 clinics in the Public Dental Health Service, were of various socioeconomic backgrounds and immigrant status (IM, immigrant group-mother of non-western origin or WN, western native group-mother of western background). The study design was descriptive cross-sectional. The caries examinations were carried out by calibrated examiners, and a detailed 5-graded caries diagnosis system including incipient caries was used. Radiographs (BW) were taken of the 5-year-old children. RESULTS The percentage of caries free children, aged 3 years (mean 3.0) and 5 years (mean 4.8) were 80.1% and 48.0% respectively. The subgroup of immigrant children showed a considerably higher caries prevalence, it was more often affected by severe caries and experienced an earlier onset of the disease than the subgroup of western native children. The most marked skewness of the caries data was seen within the WN group, especially at 3 years of age. CONCLUSIONS The present study has revealed disparities in dental health associated with ethnic origin seen at the age of 3. The disparities in dental health are still evident at 5 years of age, but then caries is more common for the whole population.
Social Recommender System: A Recommender System based on Tweets for points of interest

Social networks are an inexhaustible source of knowledge. One of its main uses is to express opinions about a particular product or service. Thus, users usually write opinions about places or so-called points of interest. That is a valuable knowledge for other users and especially for users who know and trust the opinions of the writers. In this work, we present an overview of a platform to capture opinions related to places and generate a positive or a negative recommendation for users based on both the global use of Twitter as well as the comments made by trusted people on the network.
Anticancer, antioxidant potential and profiling of polyphenolic compounds of Wrightia tinctoria Roxb. (R.Br.) bark

Wrightia tinctoria Roxb. (R.Br.) is an Ayurvedic remedy, ethnomedically used in the treatment of various ailments. The present work was carried out to evaluate the anticancer and antioxidant activity as well as total phenolic and phytochemical contents of W. tinctoria bark methanolic extract (WTBM) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detector. Antiproliferative activity of WTBM was evaluated against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, colony formation, and Hoechst staining. In addition, the antioxidant potential was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and 2,2- azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay. Total phenolic content was assessed by Folin-Ciocalteu method. The results demonstrated that WTBM exhibited significant antiproliferative effect against MDA-MB-231 (IC 50 = 88.9 ± 1.27 μg/ml) and MCF-7 (IC 50 = 45.71 ± 7.74 μg/ml) cancer cells in time- and dose-dependent manner. WTBM significantly suppresses colony formation and induces apoptosis in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells as evident by morphological assessment, clonogenic assay, and Hoechst staining. The total phenolic content of WTBM was found to be 30.3 gallic acid equivalent mg/g dry weight of bark extract while IC 50 value for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity was 72.2 ± 2.8 μg/ml and 45.16 ± 1.95 μg/ml, respectively. HPLC analysis showed the presence of gallic acid, rutin, and quercetin in WTBM. These findings demonstrated that WTBM significantly inhibited proliferation of breast cancer cells and induced apoptosis, suggesting the potential chemopreventive activity of W. tinctoria bark.
Transpositions and move groups in Monte Carlo tree search

Monte Carlo search, and specifically the UCT (Upper Confidence Bounds applied to Trees) algorithm, has contributed to a significant improvement in the game of Go and has received considerable attention in other applications. This article investigates two enhancements to the UCT algorithm. First, we consider the possible adjustments to UCT when the search tree is treated as a graph (and information amongst transpositions are shared). The second modification introduces move groupings, which may reduce the effective branching factor. Experiments with both enhancements were performed using artificial trees and in the game of Go. From the experimental results we conclude that both exploiting the graph structure and grouping moves may contribute to an increase in the playing strength of game programs using UCT.
International mobility to support innovation in Eastern Europe: Estonia, a case study

Human capital has become a central element in the innovation debate, but in the discourse on international mobility, Eastern European “catching-up countries” are usually afflicted with a brain drain that is inconsistent with their economic development. The case study of Estonia shows that to raise the competitive edge of companies, it is critical to embed internationally renowned and networked specialists. Migration policy must also be a part of innovation policies in the catching-up regions of Eastern Europe.
Diego interacts with Prickle and Strabismus/Van Gogh to localize planar cell polarity complexes

Planar cell polarity (PCP) in the Drosophila eye is established by the distinct fate specifications of photoreceptors R3 and R4, and is regulated by the Frizzled (Fz)/PCP signaling pathway. Before the PCP proteins become asymmetrically localized to opposite poles of the cell in response to Fz/PCP signaling, they are uniformly apically colocalized. Little is known about how the apical localization is maintained. We provide evidence that the PCP protein Diego (Dgo) promotes the maintenance of apical localization of Flamingo (Fmi), an atypical Cadherin-family member, which itself is required for the apical localization of the other PCP factors. This function of Dgo is redundant with Prickle (Pk) and Strabismus (Stbm), and only appreciable in double mutant tissue. We show that the initial membrane association of Dgo depends on Fz, and that Dgo physically interacts with Stbm and Pk through its Ankyrin repeats, providing evidence for a PCP multiprotein complex. These interactions suggest a positive feedback loop initiated by Fz that results in the apical maintenance of other PCP factors through Fmi.
Solitary Fibrous Tumor Consistent CD34 Immunoreactivity and Occurrence in the Orbit

The distinction of solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) from histologically similar neoplasms relies heavily on a characteristic microscopic appearance. No discriminating ultrastructural or immunohistochemical features are known. We evaluated 22 SFTs and 118 other tumors often considered in the differential diagnosis for immunoreactivity using a monoclonal antibody directed against the human hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen, CD34. All the SFTs (22 of 22, 100%) demonstrated strong CD34 immunoreactivity irrespective of tumor site and histologic grade. Strong and generalized CD34 positivity was also found in most dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (11 of 12, 92%) and occasional smooth-muscle tumors (leiomyomas 2 of 11. 18%; leiomyosarcomas 2 of 11, 18%). Variable numbers of CD34 positive cells were present in all neurofibromas (9 of 9, 100%) and focally present in most schwannomas (8 of 9, 89%). Some of the hemangiopericytomas (7 of 16, 44%) exhibited CD34 immunoreactivity, however, generally with weak intensity and patchy distribution. CD34 immunoreactivity was not observed in mesotheliomas (0 of 20, 0%), synovial sarcomas (0 of 13, 0%), fibrosacromas (0 of 12, 0%), or spindle-cell thymomas (0 of 5, 0%). We conclude that CD34 immunoreactivity is a sensitive marker for SFT and, in conjunction with an appropriate immunohistochemical panel, may be useful in discriminating SFTs from other histologically similar neoplasms. The observation that some mesenchymal stromal cells and SFTs share a CD34-positive immunophenotype suggests a histogenetic relationship. The inclusion in this study of two cases of SFT arising in the orbit establishes another site of origin for this tumor and provides further support for a mesenchymal histogenesis.
An AFIS Using Fingerprint Classification

Fingerprints have been used as biometrics for personal identification or verification since a century ago. Although no exactly the same fingerprint from distinct identities was found, a perfect system for automatic fingerprint identification does not exist. This paper implements an automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS) with the use of fingerprint classification and minutiae pattern matching. A minutiae pattern is composed of various minutiae extracted from a fingerprint image. Each minutia is represented by its relative location, a type: ending or bifurcation, and the ridge direction. Our system is tested on a database composed of 308 300 × 300 left index fingerprint images contributed by 77 persons via a Veridicom FPS110 reader. A 80% recognition rate is achieved. Each matching takes 5 ∼ 9 seconds CPU time on a PC with K6-400 CPU and 128 MB SDRAM running a Windows 2000 OS.
Medication Underuse in Aging Outpatients with Cardiovascular Disease: Prevalence, Determinants, and Outcomes in a Prospective Cohort Study

Background Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in older people, and the impact of being exposed or not exposed to preventive cardiovascular medicines is accordingly high. Underutilization of beneficial drugs is common, but prevalence estimates differ across settings, knowledge on predictors is limited, and clinical consequences are rarely investigated. Methods Using data from a prospective population-based cohort study, we assessed the prevalence, determinants, and outcomes of medication underuse based on cardiovascular criteria from Screening Tool To Alert to Right Treatment (START). Results Medication underuse was present in 69.1% of 1454 included participants (mean age 71.1 ± 6.1 years) and was significantly associated with frailty (odds ratio: 2.11 [95% confidence interval: 1.24–3.63]), body mass index (1.03 [1.01–1.07] per kg/m2), and inversely with the number of prescribed drugs (0.84 [0.79–0.88] per drug). Using this information for adjustment in a follow-up evaluation (mean follow-up time 2.24 years) on cardiovascular and competing outcomes, we found no association of medication underuse with cardiovascular events (fatal and non-fatal) (hazard ratio: 1.00 [0.65–1.56]), but observed a significant association of medication underuse with competing deaths from non-cardiovascular causes (2.52 [1.01–6.30]). Conclusion Medication underuse was associated with frailty and adverse non-cardiovascular clinical outcomes. This may suggest that cardiovascular drugs were withheld because of serious co-morbidity or that concurrent illness can preclude benefit from cardiovascular prevention. In the latter case, adapted prescribing criteria should be developed and evaluated in those patients.
Application of external lubrication during the roller compaction of adhesive pharmaceutical formulations

A novel use of external lubrication has been investigated in which magnesium stearate was applied directly to the roll surface during roller compaction. A scalable parameter; travelling roll distance per shot (DpS), has been defined which ensures that an equal amount of magnesium stearate is applied to the roll surface per rotation at any roll speed. It was found that a formulation containing 20% w/w of either the API Pravastatin or Ibipinabant required a smaller DpS than a placebo formulation in order to prevent roll adherence. The inherent adhesiveness, and hence the required amount of external magnesium stearate to prevent roll adhesion, will depend on the material properties of the formulation. The amount of magnesium stearate transferred from the roll surface to the ribbon was measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and was found to be less than 0.01% w/w. This is a significant reduction in magnesium stearate compared to the normal manufacturing procedure of blending 0.25–2.0% w/w within the formulation.The advantage of external lubrication during roller compaction is the significant reduction in magnesium stearate from the formulation which could lead to the production of tablets with superior mechanical properties and faster dissolution times.