Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Succinct ordinal trees with level-ancestor queries

We consider suc cinct or space-efficient representations of trees that efficiently support a variety of navigation operations. We focus on static ordinal trees, i.e., arbitrary static rooted trees where the children of each node are ordered. The set of operations is essentially the union of the sets of operations supported by previous succinct representations (Jacobson, Proc. 30th FOCS, 549--554, 1989; Munro and Raman, SIAM J. Comput. 31 (2001), 762--776; and Benoit et. al Proc. 6th WADS, LNCS 1663, 169--180, 1999), to which we add the level-ancestor operation.Our representation takes 2n + o(n) bits to represent an n-node tree, which is within o(n) bits of the information-theoretic minimum, and supports all operations in O(1) time on the RAM model. These operations also provide a mapping from the n nodes of the tree onto the integers {1,. ,n}. In addition to the existing motivations for studying such data structures, we are motivated by the problem of representing XML documents compactly so that XPath queries can be supported efficiently.
Trajectories of Symbolic and Nonsymbolic Magnitude Processing in the First Year of Formal Schooling

Sensitivity to numerical magnitudes is thought to provide a foundation for higher-level mathematical skills such as calculation. It is still unclear how symbolic (e.g. Arabic digits) and nonsymbolic (e.g. Dots) magnitude systems develop and how the two formats relate to one another. Some theories propose that children learn the meaning of symbolic numbers by scaffolding them onto a pre-existing nonsymbolic system (Approximate Number System). Others suggest that symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitudes have distinct and non-overlapping representations. In the present study, we examine the developmental trajectories of symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude processing skills and how they relate to each other in the first year of formal schooling when children are becoming more fluent with symbolic numbers. Thirty Grade 1 children completed symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude processing tasks at three time points in Grade 1. We found that symbolic and nonsymbolic magnitude processing skills had distinct developmental trajectories, where symbolic magnitude processing was characterized by greater gains than nonsymbolic skills over the one-year period in Grade 1. We further found that the development of the two formats only related to one another in the first half of the school year where symbolic magnitude processing skills influenced later nonsymbolic skills. These findings indicate that symbolic and nonsymbolic abilities have different developmental trajectories and that the development of symbolic abilities is not strongly linked to nonsymbolic representations by Grade 1. These findings also suggest that the relationship between symbolic and nonsymbolic processing is not as unidirectional as previously thought.
F-RTO: an enhanced recovery algorithm for TCP retransmission timeouts

Spurious TCP retransmission timeouts (RTOs) have been reported to be a problem on network paths involving links that are prone to sudden delays due to various reasons. Especially many wireless network technologies contain such links. Spurious retransmission timeouts often cause unnecessary retransmission of several segments, which is harmful for TCP performance. Recent proposals for avoiding unnecessary retransmissions after a spurious RTO require use of TCP options which must be implemented and enabled at both ends of teh connection. We introduce a new TCP sender algorithm for recovery after a retransmission timeout and show that unnecessary retransmissions after a spurious retransmission timeout, improving the TCP performance considerably. The algorithm is friendly towards other TCP connections, because it follows the congestion control principles and injects packets to the network at same rate as a conventional TCP sender. We implemented the algorithm and compared its performance to conventional TCP and Eifel TCP when RTOs occurred either due to sudden delays or due to packet losses. The results show that our algorithm either improves performance or gives similar througput as the other TCP variants evaluated in different test cases.
Parametric and Semiparametric Estimation of Sample Selection Models: an Empirical Application to the Female Labour Force in Portugal Lena Veiga Acknowledges the Financial Support from Grant Sponsors: Program Praxis Xxi (fct) and Fep

This paper analyses the Portuguese female labour market using a sample selection model. Our results are presented as a contrast to those in Martins (2001). We offer both parametric and semiparametric results applying a different approach: the normal kernel with local smoothing. Several estimates differ from Martins' in sign and/or in significance. According to our results, for example, the husband's wage has positive effect on the wife's participation in the labour market.
Frame Semantics and legal corpora annotation: theoretical and applied challenges

This paper presents a theoretical discussion about the use of Frame Semantics as corpora annotation paradigm. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the applicability of Frame Semantics theory and FrameNet paradigm for the semantic annotation of legal texts. The work presented in this paper is an initial step in the construction of a treebank for the Brazilian legal language.
Phases of planar QCD on the torus

At infinite N, continuum Euclidean SU(N) gauge theory defined on a symmetrical four torus has a rich phase structure with phases where the finite volume system behaves as if it had infinite extent in some or all of the directions. In addition, fermions are automatically quenched, so planar QCD should be cheaper to solve numerically that full QCD. Large N is a relatively unexplored and worthwhile direction of research in lattice field theory.
Towards Dialogue Management in Relational Domains

Traditional approaches to dialogue management rely on a fixed, predefined set of state variables. For many application domains, the dialogue state is however best described in terms of a collection of varying number of entities and relations holding between them. These entities might correspond to objects, places or persons in the context of the interaction, or represent a set of tasks to perform. Such formalization of the state space is well-suited for many domains, but presents some challenges for the standard probabilistic models used in dialogue management, since these models are propositional in nature and thus unable to directly operate on such state representation. To address this issue, we present an alternative approach based on the use of expressive probabilistic rules that allow for limited forms of universal quantification. These rules take the form of structured mappings between input and output variables, and function as high-level templates for the probability and utility models integrated in the dialogue manager. We present in this abstract the general formalisation of this approach, focusing on the use of universal quantifiers to capture the relational structure of the domain.
Novel multi-biotin grafted poly(lactic acid) and its self-assembling nanoparticles capable of binding to streptavidin

Targeted drug delivery requires novel biodegradable, specific binding systems with longer circulation time. The aim of this study was to prepare biotinylated poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) which can meet regular requirements as well conjugate more biotins in the polymer to provide better binding with streptavidin. A biotin-graft-PLA was synthesized based on previously published biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-graft-PLA, with one polymer molecule containing three PEG molecules. Newly synthesized biotin-graft-PLA had three biotins per polymer molecule, higher than the previous biotinylated PLA (≤1 biotin per polymer molecule). A PEG with a much lower molecular weight (MW ~1900) than the previous biotinylated PLA (PEG MW ≥ 3800), and thus more biocompatible, was used which supplied good nonspecific protein-resistant property compatible to PEG-graft-PLA, suggesting its possible longer stay in the bloodstream. Biotin-graft-PLA specifically bound to streptavidin and self-assembled into NPs, during which naproxen, a model small molecule (MW 230 Da) and hydrophobic drug, was encapsulated (encapsulation efficiency 51.88%). The naproxen-loaded NPs with particle size and zeta potential of 175 nm and −27.35 mV realized controlled release within 170 hours, comparable to previous studies. The biotin-graft-PLA NPs adhered approximately two-fold more on streptavidin film and on biotin film via a streptavidin arm both in static and dynamic conditions compared with PEG-graft-PLA NPs, the proven nonspecific protein-resistant NPs. The specific binding of biotin-graft-PLA NPs with streptavidin and with biotin using streptavidin arm, as well as its entrapment and controlled release for naproxen, suggest potential applications in targeted drug delivery.
XSim: Simulation of Descendants from Ancestors with Sequence Data

Real or imputed high-density SNP genotypes are routinely used for genomic prediction and genome-wide association studies. Many researchers are moving toward the use of actual or imputed next-generation sequence data in whole-genome analyses. Simulation studies are useful to mimic complex scenarios and test different analytical methods. We have developed the software tool XSim to efficiently simulate sequence data in descendants in arbitrary pedigrees. In this software, a strategy to drop-down origins and positions of chromosomal segments rather than every allele state is implemented to simulate sequence data and to accommodate complicated pedigree structures across multiple generations. Both C++ and Julia versions of XSim have been developed.
Adaptive foot design for small quadruped robots

Biologically inspired robots that are used for research of the animal and the technological realm become more and more refined. Control schemes for sensor-less and sensorized robots were developed, are able to handle torque control and sometimes even adapt to a changing task set. Further mechanics and electronics have evolved and take part in more reliable and robust bio-inspired robots. Robots reproduce animal structures or use bio-mechanical principles to excel in a specific task. Never the less, during this evolution of robots the feet were often oversimplified compared to their animal counterparts. Our current work centers around the foot as a bio-mechanically complex but extremely important end-effector.
Sparse channel estimation for cyclic prefixed single carrier block transmission using compressed sensing

A sparse channel estimation method is proposed for cyclic prefixed single carrier block transmission with frequency domain equalization (CP-SCBT-FDE) system employed in sparse frequency selective fading channels by using compressed sensing (CS) technique. The sparse channel estimation in CP-SCBT-FDE system is formulated as a canonical CS problem, and a measurement matrix that satisfies restricted isometry property (RIP) is constructed to guarantee reliable channel impulse response (CIR) reconstruction from limited number of noisy observation measurements. Unlike the conventional channel estimation technique, such as frequency domain (FD) estimation and time domain (TD) least square (LS) estimation techniques, the new method can fully take the sparsity of the sparse frequency selective channel into account, which help improve the estimation accuracy of the sparse channel. Simulation results show that the proposed sparse channel estimation method outperforms the widely accepted TD and FD LS channel estimation methods in bit error rate (BER) and mean-square error (MSE).
Correction of Structured Noise in fMRI Using Spatial Independent Component Analysis: Corsica

The physiological fluctuations (breathing and heartbeat) and brain movements are the main sources of confounds in activation and functional connectivity studies in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The main difficulty to cope with these effects is the aliasing of cardiac and possible respiration signals for acquisitions with long TR (typically TR > 1s). We proposed a method of structured noise correction based on spatial independent component analysis, able to extract components linked to cardio-respiratory activity and brain movements. The automatic selection of noise-related components was based on a stepwise regression procedure using "true" physiological noise time courses as reference (extracted from regions of interest in the cerebro-spinal fluid and near major blood vessels). We evaluated the sensitivity of the selection on long-TR and short-TR datasets and we showed that our method was efficient even for long-TR datasets
MOND and the Mass Discrepancies in Tidal Dwarf Galaxies

I consider in light of MOND the three debris galaxies discussed recently by Bournaud et al. These exhibit mass discrepancies of a factor of a few within several scale lengths of the visible galaxy, which, arguably, is contrary to the expectations from the cold dark matter paradigm. I show here that the rotational velocities predicted by MOND agree well with the observed velocities for each of the three galaxies, with only the observed baryonic matter as the source of gravity. There is thus no need to invoke a new form of baryonic, yet-undetected matter that dominates the disk of spiral galaxies, as advocated by Bournaud et al. I argue on other grounds that the presence of such ubiquitous disk dark matter, in addition to cold dark matter, is not likely.
An evaluation of the efficacy of the exercise on referral scheme in Northumberland, UK: association with physical activity and predictors of engagement. A naturalistic observation study

Objectives Exercise on referral schemes (ERS) are widely commissioned in the UK but there is little evidence of their association with physical activity levels. We sought to assess the Northumberland exercise on referral scheme in terms of increased levels of physical activity and identify predictors of engagement. Design A naturalistic observational study. Setting 9 local authority leisure sites in Northumberland. Participants 2233 patients referred from primary and secondary care between July 2009 and September 2010. Intervention A 24-week programme including motivational consultations and supervised exercise sessions for participants. Outcome measures Uptake, 12-week adherence, 24-week completion, changes in Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire scores after 24-weeks and attendance levels at supervised exercise sessions during the scheme. Three binary logistic regressions were used to examine demographic and referral factors associated with initial uptake, 12-week adherence and 24-week completion. Results Uptake was 81% (n=1811), 12-week adherence was 53.5% (n=968) and 24-week completion was 42.9% (n=777). Participants who completed significantly increased their self-reported physical activity levels at 24-weeks t (638)=−11.55, p<0.001. Completers attended a mean of 22.87 (12.47 SD) of a target 48 supervised sessions. Increasing age, being female and leisure site were associated with uptake, increasing age, Index of Multiple Deprivation and leisure site were associated with 12-week adherence and Body Mass Index and leisure site were associated with 24-week completion. Each regression significantly increased the prediction accuracy of stage of exit (non-starters vs starters 81.5%, dropouts before 12 weeks vs 12-week adherers 66.9%, and dropouts between 13 and 24 weeks 82.2%). Conclusions Completers of the Northumberland ERS increased physical activity at 24 weeks, although the levels achieved were below the current UK guidelines of 150 min of moderate exercise per week. Leisure site was associated with uptake, adherence and completion.
A method of encircle tactic based on geometric analysis in pursuit-evasion games

In multi-agent system like the pursuit-evasion games(PEGs), when the pursuer tries to capture the evader by encircling it, there should be a method to determine whether the encirclement is situated and therefor form a feedback mechanism to direct latter tactics of pursuers. At present, problems of this kind are solved by the pursuer's “limbs contact” or “attack range ”, but these methods doesn't take the dynamic characteristic of participants in consideration, which lead no guidance of moving tactics. This passage propose a method based on geometric analysis, consider the velocity of both pursuer and evader, and obtain a method to determine surrounding situation. Present the necessary condition of the formation of encirclement situation, which can be successfully applied in pursuit-evasion games. Furthermore, a task allocation algorithm based on least tactical target point is proposed, which is also of great feasibility.
Sodium Bicarbonate Therapy in Patients with Metabolic Acidosis

Metabolic acidosis occurs when a relative accumulation of plasma anions in excess of cations reduces plasma pH. Replacement of sodium bicarbonate to patients with sodium bicarbonate loss due to diarrhea or renal proximal tubular acidosis is useful, but there is no definite evidence that sodium bicarbonate administration to patients with acute metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, septic shock, intraoperative metabolic acidosis, or cardiac arrest, is beneficial regarding clinical outcomes or mortality rate. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease usually show metabolic acidosis due to increased unmeasured anions and hyperchloremia. It has been suggested that metabolic acidosis might have a negative impact on progression of kidney dysfunction and that sodium bicarbonate administration might attenuate this effect, but further evaluation is required to validate such a renoprotective strategy. Sodium bicarbonate is the predominant buffer used in dialysis fluids and patients on maintenance dialysis are subjected to a load of sodium bicarbonate during the sessions, suffering a transient metabolic alkalosis of variable severity. Side effects associated with sodium bicarbonate therapy include hypercapnia, hypokalemia, ionized hypocalcemia, and QTc interval prolongation. The potential impact of regular sodium bicarbonate therapy on worsening vascular calcifications in patients with chronic kidney disease has been insufficiently investigated.
A study of involuntary autobiographical memories: Comparing paper and electronic diary methods: (633692013-001)

e-Diaries on Smart Phones! In recent years various electronic devices such as Palm Pilots, PDAs and bespoke devices have been used to collect diary data. Up to now the limitations have included:! • Expense – cost of the device and custom programming! • Devices bulky and carried for a specific purpose! • Carrying the device an additional prospective memory task! • Inventory management – loan, support and retrieval of the device!
An Ensemble-Based Recommendation Engine for Scientific Data Transfers

Big data scientists face the challenge of locating valuable datasets across a network of distributed storage locations. We explore methods for recommending storage locations (“endpoints”) for users based on a range of prediction models including collaborative filtering and heuristics that consider available information such as user, institution, access history, endpoint ownership, and endpoint usage. We combine the strengths of these models by training a deep recurrent neural network on their predictions. Collectively we show, via analysis of historical usage from the Globus research data management service, that our approach can predict the next storage location accessed by users with 80.3% and 95.3% accuracy for top-1 and top-3 recommendations, respectively. Additionally, our heuristics can predict the endpoints that users will use in the future with over 75% precision and recall.
Non-parametric multi-target tracking with Doppler measurements

This paper investigates the problem of incorporating Doppler measurements to improve multi-target tracking performance. The clutter density in both spatial domain and Doppler direction is assumed to be unknown and non-homogeneous. Instead of modeling the clutter density as the product of the clutter spatial density and the clutter Doppler probability density function (pdf), this paper introduces a hyper-spatial density concept, where the Doppler direction is considered as an additional pseudo position dimension. The spatial sparsity estimator is extended to the hyper-spatial density estimation and is combined with the Joint Integrated Probabilistic Data Association (JIPDA) tracker to deal with non-parametric multi-target tracking problem with Doppler measurements. Monte Carlo simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Integrated temperature sensor for reconfigurable radio frequency synthesizer

Temperature variations significantly affect the performance and reliability of RF integrated circuits, which necessitates for thermal management in RF circuits. In this paper, an integrated analog temperature sensor (ATS) which operates with simple, low-cost one-point calibration is proposed. The temperature to voltage conversion is achieved in two steps i.e. temperature to frequency, followed by frequency to voltage conversion. The output voltage can be used to compensate the temperature dependent errors in the high frequency circuits, thereby reducing the performance degradation due to thermal gradient. The proposed ATS exhibits high sensitivity of 1.182 MHz/°C to temperature in the range of -20°C to 120°C. The errors due to supply and process variations after one-point calibration are within ±0.015°C. The integrated sensor was implemented in the 0. 13μm CMOS process. It occupies a core area of 0.0076 mm2 while consuming 756 μW from a 1.2 V supply.
Turbulent-Induced Noise around a Circular Cylinder using Permeable FW-H Method

Varieties of research on turbulent-induced noise is conducted with combinations of acoustic analogy methods and computational fluid dynamic methods to analyze efficiently and accurately. Application of FW-H acoustic analogy without turbulent noise is the most popular method due to its calculation cost. In this paper, turbulent-induced noise is predicted using RANS turbulence model and permeable FW-H method. For simplicity, noise from 2D cylinder is examined using three different methods, direct method of RANS, FW-H method without turbulent noise and permeable FW-H method which can take into account of turbulent-induced noise. Turbulent noise was well predicted using permeable FW-H method with same computational cost of original FW-H method. Also, ability of permeable FW-H method to predict highly accurate turbulent-induced noise by applying adequate permeable surface is presented. The procedure to predict turbulent-induced noise using permeable FW-H is established and its usability is shown.
A Carrier Estimation Method for MF-TDMA Signal Monitoring

Based on the need of MF-TDMA signal monitoring, this paper investigates the estimation method for frequency offset and carrier phase. The procedure for timing recovery is introduced, and then an effective algorithm is deduced for estimating carrier frequency and phase. The proposed open-loop algorithm demands no preambles and has a wide capture range. In addition, the overall block diagram of a monitoring receiver, which we designed with the proposed estimation algorithm, is presented.