Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Responsivity in Practice

Researchers of responsivity call for a renewed focus on the role of staff–prisoner relationships in facilitating rehabilitative aims in correctional facilities. Although area experts suggest communication styles are crucial indicators of the success or failure of therapeutic efforts, how correctional officers (COs) communicate with prisoners to form trusting, caring relationships within correctional facilities lacks scholarly inquiry. In response, we investigate how COs working with adult male prisoners value and use their communication skills to discern which techniques are consistent with the responsivity principle. Male and female COs (N = 42) employed in remand or correctional centers across Canada participated in semistructured in-depth interviews. Analyses of interview transcripts reveal officers self-report valuing and using prosocial communication techniques when working with male prisoners in a “relational but secure” approach. Findings suggest this approach provides the trust and respect needed for responsivity efforts to be effective. The facets of a “relational but secure” communicative approach, the vehicles by which such an approach is produced by COs, and the obstacles preventing its successful implementation are discussed.
Range Reporting for Moving Points on a Grid

In this paper we describe a new data structure that supports orthogonal range reporting queries on a set of points that move along linear trajectories on a $U\times U$ grid. The assumption that points lie on a $U\times U$ grid enables us to significantly decrease the query time in comparison to the standard kinetic model. Our data structure answers queries in $O(\sqrt{\log U/\log \log U}+k)$ time, where $k$ denotes the number of points in the answer. The above improves over the $\Omega(\log n)$ lower bound that is valid in the infinite-precision kinetic model. The methods used in this paper could be also of independent interest.
Optimizing Auto-correlation for Fast Target Search in Large Search Space

In remote sensing image-blurring is induced by many sources such as atmospheric scatter, optical aberration, spatial and temporal sensor integration. The natural blurring can be exploited to speed up target search by fast template matching. In this paper, we synthetically induce additional non-uniform blurring to further increase the speed of the matching process. To avoid loss of accuracy, the amount of synthetic blurring is varied spatially over the image according to the underlying content. We extend transitive algorithm for fast template matching by incorporating controlled image blur. To this end we propose an Efficient Group Size (EGS) algorithm which minimizes the number of similarity computations for a particular search image. A larger efficient group size guarantees less computations and more speedup. EGS algorithm is used as a component in our proposed Optimizing auto-correlation (OptA) algorithm. In OptA a search image is iteratively non-uniformly blurred while ensuring no accuracy degradation at any image location. In each iteration efficient group size and overall computations are estimated by using the proposed EGS algorithm. The OptA algorithm stops when the number of computations cannot be further decreased without accuracy degradation. The proposed algorithm is compared with six existing state of the art exhaustive accuracy techniques using correlation coefficient as the similarity measure. Experiments on satellite and aerial image datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
A study of the emotional effects of tooth loss in an edentulous Gujarati population and its association with depression

Context: To fully estimate the burden of illness due to edentulism and establish valid treatment outcomes measures in this regard, it is equally important to study its psychosocial repercussions. Aims: The aim was to conduct a study to explore the emotional reactions to tooth loss, screen for current depressive symptoms and test for association between the two; among an edentulous Gujarati population. Settings and Design: A total of 147 edentulous people visiting the Prosthodontics Department were surveyed. Subjects and Methods: A questionnaire (based on previous studies) to test the emotional reactions to tooth loss and Nine Item-Patient Health Questionnaire to test for depression were used. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using the Chi-square (χ2 ) test with the help of SPSS v. 18.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Totally, 100 out of 147 edentulous people returned the questionnaire of which 58% experienced difficulties in accepting tooth loss and 37% felt unprepared for its effects. Those with difficulties accepting tooth loss had a greater effect on self esteem and social life, had more reservation about discussing tooth loss and was more likely to experience depression. Both groups were satisfied with dentures, had no problem meeting their friends or partners without dentures and leaving out dentures at night. Conclusion: About 58% of edentulous people had difficulties accepting tooth loss, which was unrelated to denture satisfaction. Respondents appeared to be restricted in social activities mainly due to functional limitations. Those with difficulties accepting tooth loss were more likely to experience depression.
Learnt combination in object detector ensembles

This paper considers the application of meta-classification techniques to the task of object detection. The technique of learnt combination is presented and evaluated in the domain of face detection: in the case of an ensemble of greyscale detectors it is shown to be as effective as pre-existing ensemble detection techniques. It is shown that considering detectors operating on different colour channels can improve performance; to exploit this, a method for selecting appropriate colour channels is also presented. Also presented is a new data set for training and evaluating colour-based face detectors.
Policy Convergence or Divergence ? Evidence from U . S . House Roll Call Voting Records

Models of electoral competition typically predict that partisan politicians are implicitly compelled by voters to choose policies more moderate than their most-preferred positions. In a repeated election context, such policy convergence can be sustained by reputational mechanisms, but distinct possibility is complete policy divergence – whereby politicians are unable to credibly commit to any other policy than their most-preferred position. Using data on roll call voting records (1946-1994), this paper empirically evaluates which of these equilibria best describes the behavior of Representatives of the United States House. For our empirical tests, we exploit a quasi-experiment whereby party control over a seat is as good as randomly assigned among districts in which Representatives are involved in very close elections (as revealed by the observed vote share). Our regression discontinuity estimates of the impact of party control on subsequent voting records provide evidence inconsistent with both full and partial convergence, and most consistent with the full policy divergence equilibrium. * This is a revised version of an earlier draft “Are Politicians Accountable to Voters? Evidence from U.S. House Roll Call Voting Records,” Center for Labor Economics Working Paper #50. We thank David Card, John DiNardo, Hongbin Cai and Mel Hinich, for helpful discussions, and David Autor, Anne Case, and participants of workshops at UNC-Chapel Hill, UT-Austin, Chicago Economics and GSB, Princeton, and UCLA for comments and suggestions. We also thank Jim Snyder and Michael Ting for providing data for an earlier draft.
Wavelet thresholding for some classes of non–Gaussian noise

Wavelet shrinkage and thresholding methods constitute a powerful way to carry out signal denoising, especially when the underlying signal has a sparse wavelet representation. They are computationally fast, and automatically adapt to the smoothness of the signal to be estimated. Nearly minimax properties for simple threshold estimators over a large class of function spaces and for a wide range of loss functions were established in a series of papers by Donoho and Johnstone. The notion behind these wavelet methods is that the unknown function is well approximated by a function with a relatively small proportion of nonzero wavelet coefficients. In this paper, we propose a framework in which this notion of sparseness can be naturally expressed by a Bayesian model for the wavelet coefficients of the underlying signal. Our Bayesian formulation is grounded on the empirical observation that the wavelet coefficients can be summarized adequately by exponential power prior distributions and allows us to establish close connections between wavelet thresholding techniques and Maximum A Posteriori estimation for two classes of noise distributions including heavy–tailed noises. We prove that a great variety of thresholding rules are derived from these MAP criteria. Simulation examples are presented to substantiate the proposed approach.
Single channel properties of hyperpolarization‐activated cation currents in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal neurones

The hyperpolarization‐activated cation current (Ih), mediated by HCN channels, contributes to intrinsic neuronal properties, synaptic integration and network rhythmicity. Recent studies have implicated HCN channels in neuropathological conditions including epilepsy. While native HCN channels have been studied at the macroscopic level, the biophysical characteristics of individual neuronal HCN channels have not been described. We characterize, for the first time, single HCN currents of excised inside‐out patches from somata of acutely dissociated rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. Hyperpolarization steps elicited non‐inactivating channel openings with an apparent conductance of 9.7 pS, consistent with recent reports of native and recombinant HCN channels. The voltage‐dependent Po had a V1/2 of −81 ± 1.8 mV and slope −13.3 ± 1.9 mV. Blockers of macroscopic Ih, ZD7288 (50 μm) and CsCl (1 mm), reduced the channel conductance to 8 pS and 8.4 pS, respectively. ZD7288 was slightly more effective in reducing the Po at depolarized potentials, whereas CsCl was more efficacious at hyperpolarized potentials. The unitary neuronal HCN channels had voltage‐dependent latencies to first channel opening and two open states. As expected, ZD7288 and CsCl increased latencies and decreased the properties of both open states. The major endogenous positive modulator of macroscopic Ih is cAMP. Application of 8Br‐cAMP (10 μm) did not affect conductance (9.4 pS), but did increase Po and short and long open times. Thus, sensitivity to Ih modulators supports the single h‐channel identity of these unitary currents. Detailed biophysical analysis of unitary Ih conductances is likely to help distinguish between homomeric and heteromeric expression of these channels – findings that may be relevant toward the pathophysiology of diseases such as epilepsy.
DBProxy: a dynamic data cache for web applications

The majority of web pages served today are generated dynamically, usually by an application server querying a back-end database. To enhance the scalability of dynamic content serving in large sites, application servers are offloaded to front-end nodes, called edge servers. The improvement from such application offloading is marginal, however, if data is still fetched from the origin database system. To further improve scalability and cut response times, data must be effectively cached on such edge servers. The scale of deployment of edge servers and the rising costs of their administration demand that such caches be self-managing and adaptive. In this paper, we describe DBProxy, an edge-of-network semantic data cache for web applications. DBProxy is designed to adapt to changes in the workload in a transparent and graceful fashion by caching a large number of overlapping and dynamically changing “materialized views”. New “views” are added automatically while others may be discarded to save space. Inthis paper, we discuss the challenges of designingandimplementing such a dynamic edge data cache, and describe our proposed solutions.
Genome sequence of Ensifer meliloti strain WSM1022; a highly effective microsymbiont of the model legume Medicago truncatula A17

Ensifer meliloti WSM1022 is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod that can exist as a soil saprophyte or as a legume microsymbiont of Medicago. WSM1022 was isolated in 1987 from a nodule recovered from the roots of the annual Medicago orbicularis growing on the Cyclades Island of Naxos in Greece. WSM1022 is highly effective at fixing nitrogen with M. truncatula and other annual species such as M. tornata and M. littoralis and is also highly effective with the perennial M. sativa (alfalfa or lucerne). In common with other characterized E. meliloti strains, WSM1022 will nodulate but fixes poorly with M. polymorpha and M. sphaerocarpos and does not nodulate M. murex. Here we describe the features of E. meliloti WSM1022, together with genome sequence information and its annotation. The 6,649,661 bp high-quality-draft genome is arranged into 121 scaffolds of 125 contigs containing 6,323 protein-coding genes and 75 RNA-only encoding genes, and is one of 100 rhizobial genomes sequenced as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute 2010 Genomic Encyclopedia for Bacteria and Archaea-Root Nodule Bacteria (GEBA-RNB) project.
Balanced crystalloids for septic shock resuscitation

Timely fluid administration is crucial to maintain tissue perfusion in septic shock patients. However, the question concerning which fluid should be used for septic shock resuscitation remains a matter of debate. A growing body of evidence suggests that the type, amount and timing of fluid administration during the course of sepsis may affect patient outcomes. Crystalloids have been recommended as the first-line fluids for septic shock resuscitation. Nevertheless, given the inconclusive nature of the available literature, no definitive recommendations about the most appropriate crystalloid solution can be made. Resuscitation of septic and non-septic critically ill patients with unbalanced crystalloids, mainly 0.9% saline, has been associated with a higher incidence of acid-base balance and electrolyte disorders and might be associated with a higher incidence of acute kidney injury. This can result in greater demand for renal replacement therapy and increased mortality. Balanced crystalloids have been proposed as an alternative to unbalanced solutions in order to mitigate their detrimental effects. Nevertheless, the safety and effectiveness of balanced crystalloids for septic shock resuscitation need to be further addressed in a well-designed, multicenter, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial.
Hydroxypropylcellulose as a novel green reservoir for the synthesis, stabilization, and storage of silver nanoparticles

Polysaccharides are attracting the vigil eye of researchers in order to design the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) of diverse size, shape, and application. We report an environmentally friendly method to synthesize Ag NPs where no physical reaction conditions were employed. Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) was used as a template nanoreactor, stabilizer, and capping agent to obtain Ag NPs. Different concentrations of AgNO3 solutions (50 mmol, 75 mmol, and 100 mmol) were mixed with a concentrated aqueous solution of HPC and the progress of the reaction was monitored by noting color changes of the reaction mixture at different reaction times for up to 24 hours. Characteristic ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV/Vis) absorption bands of Ag NPs were observed in the range of 388–452 nm. The morphology of the Ag NPs was studied by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy. The TEM images confirmed that the size of the Ag NPs was in the range of 25–55 nm. Powder X-ray diffraction studies showed that the crystal phase of the Ag NPs was face-centered cubic. The as-prepared Ag NPs were found to be stable, and no changes in size and morphology were observed after storage in HPC thin films over 1 year, as indicated by UV/Vis spectra. So, the present work furnishes a green and economical strategy for the synthesis and storage of stable Ag NPs. As-synthesized Ag NPs showed significant antimicrobial activity against different bacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungal strains (Actinomycetes and Aspergillus niger).
The Semismooth Algorithm for Large Scale Complementarity Problems

Complementarity solvers are continually being challenged by modelers demanding improved reliability and scalability. Building upon a strong theoretical background, the semismooth algorithm has the potential to meet both of these requirements. We discuss relevant theory associated with the algorithm and then describe a sophisticated implementation in detail. Particular emphasis is given to the use of preconditioned iterative methods to solve the (nonsymmetric) systems of linear equations generated at each iteration and robust methods for dealing with singularity. Results on the MCPLIB test suite indicate that the code is reliable and efficient and scales well to very large problems.
A broadband FFT processor core based on FPGA

This paper presents an implementation of a real-time FFT processor based on FPGA, which uses the radix-4 DIF (decimation-in-frequency) algorithm. Five stages of radix-4 butterflies are used to make up of a pipeline to compute the 1024-point complex FFT. The FFT processor can operate at 164 MHz and compute a 1024-point FFT at 6.225 mus when operating on the device of Xilinx Virtex II Pro 70. This will accommodate a high data throughput transmitted to the back end instrument.
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Background: Stroke-specific outcome measures and descriptive measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are unsuitable for informing decision-makers of the broader consequences of increasing or decreasing funding for stroke interventions. The quality-adjusted life year (QALY) provides a common metric for comparing interventions over multiple dimensions of HRQoL and mortality differentials. There are, however, many circumstances when – because of timing, lack of foresight or cost considerations – only stroke-specific or descriptive measures of health status are available and some indirect means of obtaining QALY-weights becomes necessary. In such circumstances, the use of regression-based transformations or mappings can circumvent the failure to elicit QALY-weights by allowing predicted weights to proxy for observed weights. This regression-based approach has been dubbed 'Transfer to Utility' (TTU) regression. The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate the feasibility and value of TTU regression in stroke by deriving transformations or mappings from stroke-specific and generic but descriptive measures of health status to a generic preference-based measure of HRQoL in a sample of Australians with a diagnosis of acute stroke. Findings will quantify the additional error associated with the use of conditionspecific to generic transformations in stroke. Methods: We used TTU regression to derive empirical transformations from three commonly used descriptive measures of health status for stroke (NIHSS, Barthel and SF-36) to a preferencebased measure (AQoL) suitable for attaching QALY-weights to stroke disease states; based on 2570 observations drawn from a sample of 859 patients with stroke. Results: Transformations from the SF-36 to the AQoL explained up to 71.5% of variation in observed AQoL scores. Differences between mean predicted and mean observed AQoL scores from the 'severity-specific' itemand subscale-based SF-36 algorithms and from the 'moderate to severe' indexand item-based Barthel algorithm were neither clinically nor statistically significant when 'low severity' SF-36 transformations were used to predict AQoL scores for patients in the NIHSS = 0 and NIHSS = 1–5 subgroups and when 'moderate to severe severity' transformations were used to predict AQoL scores for patients in the NIHSS ≥ 6 subgroup. In contrast, the
Requirements based Test Case Prioritization using Genetic Algorithm

Software testing and retesting occurs continuously during the software development life cycle to detect errors as early as possible. During the regression testing, a modified system needs to be retested using the existing test suit. Since the test suit may be very large, the better way is to prioritize it. Test Case Prioritization is the process of changing the order of execution of test cases to achieve the testing objective early in the testing process. It is an effective and practical technique that helps to increase the rate of regression fault detection when software evolves. However, existing prioritization techniques implicitly assume that source code or binary code is available when regression testing is performed, and therefore cannot be implemented when there is no program source code or binary code to be analyzed. In this paper we present a new approach which is completely based on requirements of the system. This technique is useful in black box environment. I. Introduction Regression testing is a necessary but expensive process in the software lifecycle. One of the regression testing approach, test case prioritization , aims at sorting and executing test case in the order of potential abilities to achieve certain testing objective. Empirical studies indicate that test case prioritization technique could increase the effectiveness of test case at meeting some performance goals especially in resource-constrained testing environment1,2]. Numerous technique have been reported on prioritizing test cases for regression testing [1]. Amongst these techniques, some focus on code coverage[1] and others investigate prioritization techniques by binary code comparison[1,2]. However none of these techniques could be of use when source code or binary code is unavailable. To apply test case prioritization practitioners need a new technique for black box testing. In this paper, we proposed a new approach useful in black box environment. This approach is based on requirement prioritization. The main idea of this approach is to find the most severe faults early in the testing process and hence to improve the quality of the system according to customer point of view.
Tube Wave Generation At a Layer Boundary For an Incident Compressional Plane Wave

An approximate theory for the scattering of an incident plane P wave into tube waves in a fluid-filled borehole drilled through two homogeneous half-spaces is proposed in this paper. This theory is in excellent agreement with the zero frequency formulation (White, 1983) for frequencies below hundreds of Hertz (in the range of conventional crosshole or VSP experiments) and flnite difference simulation at high frequencies. At low frequency the excited tube wave is found to be independent of the borehole radius and shows stronger sensitivity to the formation shear velocity contrast across the layer boundary. The sensitivity towards the compressional velocity perturbation is opposite to that of the shear wave and density such that little tube wave can be generated if the compressional and shear velocities are both increased or decreased accordingly. Unlike the tube wave excited in the borehole when an incident plane wave hits a fracture, the reflected and transmitted tube waveS generated at a layer boundary show opposite polarities.