Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VOtus : A Flexible And Scalable Monitoring Framework for Virtualized Clusters

Large-scale distributed processing frameworks such as Hadoop are currently enjoying wide popularity for big data computation. Performance Analysis and monitoring under these frameworks are inherently difficult especially in a virtualized environment. Existing distributed monitoring tools can only report virtual resource usage. Such reported information might be insufficient for developers and users to acquire deep insights into the performance of distributed applications. This paper describes VOtus, an initial step towards extending the Otus monitoring tool for virtualized clusters on private clouds. By collecting supplementary metrics from the hypervisor (when available), VOtus allows users to effectively and efficiently monitor a virtualized cluster. It also provides enhanced comprehension of distributed applications, which helps in answering performance related queries that relate to capacity planning, placement, and migration of virtual machines on the cluster.
Statistical Framework for Parametric Optimization of Cognitive Radio Systems

Enhancing access to radio spectrum is a growing need across the country that cognitive radio (CR) can address. CR systems incorporate learning and decision making into wireless and networking systems with the goal of improving performance and interoperability. Optimizing radio and cognitive engine parameters based on operating performance is a crucial requirement. This step is also a needed element within functional testing and overall evaluation for validating overall systems and specific algorithms. However, the realities of limited time, manpower, and resources require efficient methodologies for performing these tasks. While CR techniques continue to advance, functional testing methodologies remain largely stagnant and rely on ad hoc approaches relevant to a specific platform and application space. Recent CR testing methods are briefly surveyed in this paper. A generalized statistical framework that is independent of radio platform and application theater is introduced that enables a methodological process for configuration optimization and functional testing of CR systems and components. The process identifies a minimal number of experiments required to achieve an understanding trends and interaction of configuration elements. The need to calibrate transmit-and-receive gain settings on a software-defined radio illustrates the use of response surface methodology (RSM). The results indicate that as little as 15 data points can develop a representative model of system performance. The RSM analysis shown focuses on response model estimates, statistical fit of the models, and graphical representation of output responses.
Porphyromonas gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide Is Both Agonist and Antagonist for p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation

ABSTRACT Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key inflammatory mediator. It has been proposed to function as an important molecule that alerts the host of potential bacterial infection. Although highly conserved, LPS contains important structural differences among different bacterial species that can significantly alter host responses. For example, LPS obtained from Porphyromonas gingivalis, an etiologic agent for periodontitis, evokes a highly unusual host cell response. Human monocytes respond to this LPS by the secretion of a variety of different inflammatory mediators, while endothelial cells do not. In addition, P. gingivalis LPS inhibits endothelial cell expression of E-selectin and interleukin 8 (IL-8) induced by other bacteria. In this report the ability of P. gingivalis LPS to activate p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase was investigated. It was found that p38 MAP kinase activation occurred in response to P. gingivalis LPS in human monocytes. In contrast, no p38 MAP kinase activation was observed in response to P. gingivalis LPS in human endothelial cells or CHO cells transfected with human Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4). In addition, P. gingivalis LPS was an effective inhibitor of Escherichia coli-induced p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation in both endothelial cells and CHO cells transfected with human TLR-4. These data demonstrate that P. gingivalis LPS activates the LPS-associated p38 MAP kinase in monocytes and that it can be an antagonist for E. coli LPS activation of p38 MAP kinase in endothelial and CHO cells. These data also suggest that although LPS is generally considered a bacterial component that alerts the host to infection, LPS from P. gingivalis may selectively modify the host response as a means to facilitate colonization.
Improving the prediction of the roll separating force in a hot steel finishing mill

This paper focuses on the development of a hybrid phenomenological/inductive model to improve the current physical setup force model on a five stand industrial hot strip finishing mill. We approached the problem from two directions. In the first approach, the starting point was the output of the current setup force model. A feedforward multilayer perceptron (MLP) model was then used to estimate the true roll separating force using some other available variables as additional inputs to the model. It was found that it is possible to significantly improve the estimation of a roll separating force from 5.3% error on average with the current setup model to 2.5% error on average with the hybrid model. The corresponding improvements for the first coils are from 7.5% with the current model to 3.8% with the hybrid model. This was achieved by inclusion, in addition to each stand's force from the current model, the contributions from setup forces from the other stands, as well as the contributions from a limited set of additional variables such as: a) aim width; b) setup thickness; c) setup temperature; and d) measured force from the previous coil. In the second approach, we investigated the correlation between the large errors in the current model and input parameters of the model. The data set was split into two subsets, one representing the "normal" level of error between the current model and the measured force value, while the other set contained the coils with a "large" level of error. Additional set of data with changes in each coil's inputs from the previous coil's inputs was created to investigate the dependency on the previous coil. The data sets were then analyzed using a C4.5 decision tree. The main findings were that the level of the speed vernier variable is highly correlated with the large errors in the current setup model. Specifically, a high positive speed vernier value often correlated to a large error. Secondly, it has been found that large changes to the model flow stress values between coils are correlated frequently with larger errors in the current setup force model.
Complexities of EU language work

Abstract The article discusses some of the numerous parameters that must be taken into account in studies of language work at European Union institutions, let alone the European Union. Initially listing the central EU institutions, which in their totality constitute the international organisation with the largest language staff, the article proceeds to discuss diachronic and synchronic views of the language scene. Then it deals with the translation procedures employed, including simultaneous conference interpreting. It attempts to set up a distinction between two extremes, viz. simple and complex translational situations and concludes that even such a distinction is often inadequate. The use of core languages in much EU work, notably in daily work at the EU institutions is discussed in terms of their usefulness as repositories and records of a collective negotiation process as well as the fear that they may imply political domination, a view analysed from synchronic and diachronic angles. The article concludes with a general caution against generalising too much from individual studies.
Visualization of Parameter Space for Image Analysis

Image analysis algorithms are often highly parameterized and much human input is needed to optimize parameter settings. This incurs a time cost of up to several days. We analyze and characterize the conventional parameter optimization process for image analysis and formulate user requirements. With this as input, we propose a change in paradigm by optimizing parameters based on parameter sampling and interactive visual exploration. To save time and reduce memory load, users are only involved in the first step - initialization of sampling - and the last step - visual analysis of output. This helps users to more thoroughly explore the parameter space and produce higher quality results. We describe a custom sampling plug-in we developed for CellProfiler - a popular biomedical image analysis framework. Our main focus is the development of an interactive visualization technique that enables users to analyze the relationships between sampled input parameters and corresponding output. We implemented this in a prototype called Paramorama. It provides users with a visual overview of parameters and their sampled values. User-defined areas of interest are presented in a structured way that includes image-based output and a novel layout algorithm. To find optimal parameter settings, users can tag high- and low-quality results to refine their search. We include two case studies to illustrate the utility of this approach.
Measuring outcomes in aphasia research: A review of current practice and an agenda for standardisation

Background: Aphasia treatment research lacks a uniform approach to outcome measurement. A wide range of outcome instruments are used across trials and there is a lack of research evidence exploring the outcomes most important to stakeholders. This lack of standardisation produces research outcomes that are difficult to compare and combine, limiting the potential to strengthen treatment evidence through meta-analysis and data pooling. The current heterogeneity in aphasia treatment research outcome measurement may be addressed through the development of a core outcome set (COS)—an agreed standardised set of outcomes for use in treatment trials. Aims: This article aims to provide a rationale and agenda for the development of a COS for aphasia treatment research. Main Contribution: A review of the literature reveals heterogeneity in the way outcome measurement is performed in aphasia treatment research. COSs have been developed in a wide range of health fields to introduce standardisation to research outcome measurement. Potential benefits of COSs include easier comparison and combination of research outcomes, improved quality of systematic reviews and greater transparency in research reporting. The use of broad stakeholder consultation also supports the development of research outcomes that are meaningful. It is proposed that a COS for aphasia treatment research could be developed in three stages. First, consensus-based techniques would be used to reach international agreement on the outcomes that are most important to stakeholders. Second, a systematic review and meta-analysis of outcome instruments would provide synthesised evidence to support the choice of tools to most effectively capture the effects of aphasia treatments. Third, final agreement on a COS would be sought through an international consensus conference. Conclusions: There is an identified need for standardisation in the way outcomes are selected and measured in aphasia treatment research. COS development may provide an effective, consensus-based solution to this need.
Distinct effects of surgical denervation on hepatic perfusion, bowel ischemia, and oxidative stress in brain dead and living donor porcine models

The liver function and perfusion following brain death is mainly influenced by the sympathetic nerves and hormones. We examined the specific influence of surgical liver denervation on systemic and hepatic perfusion parameters, bowel ischemia and oxidative stress in hemodynamically stable BD and control (living donor [LD]) pigs. Brain death was induced in 8 pigs via saline infusion into the balloon of an epidural Tieman‐catheter (1 mL/15 minutes) and compared to the control group (n = 6) over 4 hours. At 2 hours postoperatively, complete liver denervation was initiated. We analyzed systemic cardiocirculatory parameters (mean arterial pressure, aortic flow, bowel ischemia (endotoxin, and endotoxin‐neutralizing capacity) and oxidative stress (total glutathione in erythrocytes [tGSHE]) and compared them to local/hepatic perfusion parameters (hepatic artery and portal venous flow, liver blood flow index, and microperfusion), local bowel ischemia (intramucosal pH [pHi] of stomach [pHiS]/colon[pHiC]), and liver oxidative stress (glutathione [rGSHL, GSSGL]). Following brain death, the parameters including mean arterial pressure, aortic flow, pHi, endotoxin, and tGSHE showed no significant changes at 2 hours. Portal venous flow and microperfusion were decreased significantly and hepatic arterial buffer response was ineffective. Hepatic oxidative stress was increased in BD animals (↓rGSHL, ↑GSSGL). Surgical denervation/manipulation increased portal venous flow significantly, hepatic arterial buffer response became effective, and stomach pHi decreased (BD and LD groups). Hepatic oxidative stress was reduced in the BD group (↑rGSHL/GSSGL; P < 0.001) while it was increased in the LD group (↓rGSHL/GSSGL; P < 0.001). In conclusion, denervation reduces hepatic oxidative stress in BD only in contrast to the LD. The reciprocal effect of denervation depends on the state of neural activation and postulates a potential benefit of surgical denervation before organ harvesting in brain death. Liver Transpl 13:607–617, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
An improved frequency offset estimator for OFDM applications

An efficient algorithm has been proposed by Schmidl and Cox (see IEEE Trans. Commun., vol.45, p.1613-21, 1997) for carrier frequency estimation in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing systems. The scheme is based on the transmission of a training symbol composed of two identical halves in the time domain. We extend this algorithm by considering a training symbol composed of L>2 identical parts. This makes it possible to achieve a better accuracy at the cost of some increase in computational load. The estimation range can be made as large as desired without the need of a second training symbol, as required by the Schmidl and Cox method.
Learning Representations for Evolutionary Computation

Evolutionary systems have been used in a variety of applications, from turbine design to scheduling problems. The basic algorithms are similar in all these applications, but the representation is always problem specific. Unfortunately, the search time for evolutionary systems very much depends on efficient codings, using problem specific domain knowledge to reduce the size of the search space. This paper describes an approach, where the user only specifies a very general, basic coding that can be used in a larger variety of problems. The system then learns a more efficient, problem specific coding. To do this, an evolutionary system with variable length coding is used. While the system optimizes an example problem, a meta process identifies successful combinations of genes in the population and combines them into higher level evolved genes. The extraction is repeated iteratively, allowing genes to evolve that have a high level complexity and encode a high number of the original, basic genes. This results in a continuous restructuring of the search space, allowing potentially successful solutions to be found in much shorter search time. The evolved coding can then be used to solve other, related problems. While not excluding any potentially desirable solutions, the evolved coding makes knowledge from the example problem available for the new problem. The paper shows an example from the domain of two-dimensional shape designs. In this example, a coding is evolved that uses 366 evolved gene, encoding on average 17 basic genes. The evolved coding is successfully used to optimize a room layout, where the original coding converges to a local maximum in fitness and therefore does not find any feasible solutions.
SLI in Children: Movement, Economy, and Deficits in the Computational-Syntactic System

The linguistic characteristics of a boy (AZ) with specific language impairment (SLI) are presented. AZ illustrates the linguistic characteristics of Grammatical SLI. Morphosyntactic investigations reveal that all inflectional forms are present but are not used consistently. The impairment extends to syntactically complex utterances involving embedded structures at phrase and clause level and to arguments and wh-movement. There is true optionality in AZ's grammar. I propose that optional movement characterizes Grammatical SLI. Based on the Representation Deficit for Dependent Relationships account, I claim that the underlying deficit causing optional movement is in the syntactic computational system. A deficit in the operation, Move F, was not supported. A deficit with Economy (R. Manzini, personal communication, January 1998) was considered. I argue that Last Resort may be viewed as comprising two principles: Economy 1 ensures that the operation Move F is only permitted if it satisfies an appropriate feat.
Evaluation of the Iowa pain thermometer and other selected pain intensity scales in younger and older adult cohorts using controlled clinical pain: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the sensitivity and utility of the Iowa Pain Thermometer (IPT) and other selected pain intensity scales in younger and older adults using a controlled clinical pain condition. DESIGN A quasi-experimental study with 61 younger (age 21-55 years) and 36 older (age 65-87 years) adults experiencing arthritic pain at two rheumatology clinics. Before and after joint injection, patients reported current pain intensity with the following scales: IPT, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Verbal Numeric Rating Scale (VNS), Faces Pain Scale (FPS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS The IPT demonstrated the lowest failure rate of all pain intensity scales evaluated. Other scale failure rates were relatively low except for the VNS and the VAS. No significant difference was noted in scale failure by age, gender or education level, but cognitive impairment was significantly related to failure on the VAS and the NRS. All five pain scales were sensitive in detecting changes in pain intensity pre and post joint injection. All correlations between the scales were strong and significant; however, the intercorrelations for the older cohort were weaker. The scale most preferred in both cohorts of patients was the IPT, followed by the FPS. CONCLUSIONS Based on sensitivity to change, lower failure rates, higher preference evaluations, and little appreciable affects associated with cognitive impairment, the IPT was judged to be the best choice for assessing pain intensity for both age cohorts and warrants further study.
Design of a versatile low cost mobile health care monitoring system using an android application

A continuous monitoring of the biomedical signals of the human body such as ECG, blood pressure, SaO2, and temperature is necessary in the treatment of chronic diseases. The treatment depends directly on the evolution of these signals. Being necessary an ambulatory health care system, in order to have biomedical data at any moment and anywhere. Android OS is a powerful tool able to process, store and visualize biomedical signals. The system presented in this paper is a device energized with rechargeable batteries, able to measure the four signals previously mentioned and send them wirelessly, without missing data, to the Android device in order to be visualized, stored, and to finally, to be shared with a specialist.
Individual differences in mathematical ability: genetic, cognitive and behavioural factors

Identifying individuals with mathematical difficulties (MD) is becoming increasingly important in our education system. However, recognising MD is only the first stage in the provision of special educational needs (SEN). Although planning the effective remedial support is vital, there is little consensus on the interventions that are appropriate. There are two main reasons for this: first, MD has a variety of manifestations which appear to change with age; and second, there are many potential causes for the difficulties individuals experience. This paper addresses these issues by reviewing research evidence from three ‘domains’ of psychological research (genetic, cognitive, behavioural), all of which appear to offer insights into potential influences on mathematical ability.
Reaching a verdict

Two experiments, using a mock legal case, confirmed the causal role of arguments in verdict decisions and explored the process involved. Experiment 1 showed that verdicts varied with the strength of counter-arguments and Experiment 2 showed that the use of background information that undermined such arguments determined the verdict reached. Such results confirm the causal role of arguments but do not speak to the representations constructed. In both experiments we analysed the reasons proposed for verdicts. Participants generally represented the state of affairs, and conjectured state of affairs, to which the arguments referred. Experiment 2 also asked participants about the number of causal possibilities they envisaged. Confidence in the verdict was moderated by the strength of counter-arguments but in different ways for those who envisaged a single causal account as opposed to two causal accounts. In the former case, confidence decreased with the rated strength of counter-arguments. In the latter case, confidence increased. We suggest that verdicts are abductive explanations of the events generated through a process of mental simulation.
Expressive Microstructure in Music: A Preliminary Perceptual Assessment of Four Composers' "Pulses"

According to a provocative theory set forth by Manfred Clynes, there are composer-specific cyclic patterns of (unnotated) musical microstructure that, when discovered and realized by a performer, help to give the music its characteristic expressive quality. Clynes, relying mainly on his own judgment as an experienced musician, has derived such personal "pulses" for several famous composers by imposing time and amplitude perturbations on computer-controlled performances of classical music and modifying them until they converged on some optimal expression. To conduct a preliminary test of the general music lover9s appreciation of such "pulsed" performances, two sets of piano pieces by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, and Schubert, one in quadruple and the other in triple meter, were selected for this study. Each piece was synthesized with each composer9s pulse and also without any pulse. These different versions were presented in random order to listeners of varying musical sophistication for preference judgments relative to the unpulsed version. There were reliable changes in listeners9 pulse preferences across different composers9 pieces, which affirms one essential prerequisite of Clynes9 theory. Moreover, in several instances the "correct" pulse was preferred most, which suggests not only that these pulse patterns indeed capture composer- specific qualities, but also that listeners without extensive musical experience can appreciate them. In other cases, however, listeners9 preferences were not as expected, and possible causes for these deviations are discussed.
Diminished reality considering background structures

This paper proposes a new diminished reality method for 3D scenes considering background structures. Most conventional methods using image inpainting assumes that the background around a target object is almost planar. In this study, approximating the background structure by the combination of local planes, perspective distortion of texture is corrected and searching area is limited for improving the quality of image inpainting. The temporal coherence of texture is preserved using the estimated structures and camera pose estimated by Visual-SLAM.