Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unified description and discovery of P2P services

Our era has been marked by the emergence of the service oriented computing (SOC) paradigm. This new trend has reshaped the way distributed applications are built and has influenced current computing paradigms, such as p2p and grid computing. SOC’s main objective is to leverage interoperability among applications and systems; however, the emergence of various types of services such as web, grid and p2p services has raised several interoperability concerns among these services as well as within each of these service models. In order to surpass these incompatibilities, appropriate middleware and mechanisms need to be developed so as to provide the necessary layers of abstraction and a unified framework that will obscure a service user from the underlying details of each service platform. Yet, for the development of such middleware and mechanisms to be effective, appropriate conceptual models need to be constructed. Within this paper, we briefly present a generic service model which was constructed to facilitate the unified utilization of heterogeneous services, with emphasis on its properties for the modeling of p2p services. Moreover, we illustrate how this model was instantiated for the representation of JXTA services and present the service description and discovery mechanisms that were built upon it. We regard this generic service model as a first step in achieving interoperability between incompatible types of services.
Temporal Coherence Methods in Real‐Time Rendering

Nowadays, there is a strong trend towards rendering to higher‐resolution displays and at high frame rates. This development aims at delivering more detail and better accuracy, but it also comes at a significant cost. Although graphics cards continue to evolve with an ever‐increasing amount of computational power, the speed gain is easily counteracted by increasingly complex and sophisticated shading computations. For real‐time applications, the direct consequence is that image resolution and temporal resolution are often the first candidates to bow to the performance constraints (e.g. although full HD is possible, PS3 and XBox often render at lower resolutions).
Hobbit: Providing Fall Detection and Prevention for the Elderly in the Real World

We present the robot developed within the Hobbit project, a socially assistive service robot aiming at the challenge of enabling prolonged independent living of elderly people in their own homes. We present the second prototype (Hobbit PT2) in terms of hardware and functionality improvements following first user studies. Our main contribution lies within the description of all components developed within the Hobbit project, leading to autonomous operation of 371 days during field trials in Austria, Greece, and Sweden. In these field trials, we studied how 18 elderly users (aged 75 years and older) lived with the autonomously interacting service robot over multiple weeks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a multifunctional, low-cost service robot equipped with a manipulator was studied and evaluated for several weeks under real-world conditions. We show that Hobbit’s adaptive approach towards the user increasingly eased the interaction between the users and Hobbit. We provide lessons learned regarding the need for adaptive behavior coordination, support during emergency situations, and clear communication of robotic actions and their consequences for fellow researchers who are developing an autonomous, low-cost service robot designed to interact with their users in domestic contexts. Our trials show the necessity to move out into actual user homes, as only there can we encounter issues such as misinterpretation of actions during unscripted human-robot interaction.
Evaluation of active and passive shimming in magnetic resonance imaging

: With higher magnet strengths for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) units becoming more commonplace, both for animal imaging systems as well as whole-body in vivo systems, magnetic field distortions due to inhomogeneous distributions of magnetic susceptibility and air–tissue interfaces will become more intense. Further, the popularization of MRI-hybrid devices, such as positron emission tomography/MR or MR/radiotherapy hybrids, which rely on the assumption of geometric accuracy for their diagnostic or therapeutic effectiveness
TILTAI 2005 , 1 UNEMPLOYMENT , AS RISK FACTOR FOR HEALTH : FACTS AND EXPLANATIONS

High unemployment rates are becoming to be widespread economical phenomenon and one the most serious social problems in Lithuania. Many studies have shown that becoming jobless and long-term unemployed may increase the risk of premature death and have adverse effects on health. These associations are largely assumed to be mediated through psychological stress, which leads to the negative lifestyle changes. Alcohol drinking, smoking, drug use, suicide intentions, and crime are more expressed among unemployed persons. Among many opportunities to solve this problem, the major are: investment in human capital, redistributive policies, and ensuring the comprehensive access to health care.
Digital scrum board using leap motion

In this paper, we propose an alternative option to digital scrum board using leap motion device. We apply a leap motion device to control and perform activities on digital scrum board for improving team communication during a daily meeting. It is more convenient way for the scrum team to present and control the digital scrum board, rather than using a mouse pointing device, especially during participating the stand-up meeting. Moreover, we propose a set of the hand motion patterns based on the basic leap motion gestures, in order to efficiently click and select, drag and drop, and scroll the elements of the digital scrum board. The time spent measurement experiments are conducted to demonstrate and provide the evidence of the better performance when the digital scrum board is equipped with the leap motion device and our hand motion patterns.
Alternative Objective Functions for Deep Clustering

The recently proposed deep clustering framework represents a significant step towards solving the cocktail party problem. This study proposes and compares a variety of alternative objective functions for training deep clustering networks. In addition, whereas the original deep clustering work relied on k-means clustering for test-time inference, here we investigate inference methods that are matched to the training objective. Furthermore, we explore the use of an improved chimera network architecture for speech separation, which combines deep clustering with mask-inference networks in a multiobjective training scheme. The deep clustering loss acts as a regularizer while training the end-to-end mask inference network for best separation. With further iterative phase reconstruction, our best proposed method achieves a state-of-the-art 11.5 dB signal-to-distortion ratio (SDR) result on the publicly available wsj0-2mix dataset, with a much simpler architecture than the previous best approach.
An (almost) linear time algorithm for odd cycles transversal

We consider the following problem, which is called the <i>odd cycles transversal problem</i>. <b>Input:</b> A graph <i>G</i> and an integer <i>k</i>. <b>Output:</b> A vertex set <i>X</i> ∈ <i>V(G)</i> with |<i>X</i>| ≤ <i>k</i> such that <i>G</i> -- <i>X</i> is bipartite. We present an <i>O(mα(m, n</i>)) time algorithm for this problem for any fixed <i>k</i>, where <i>n, m</i> are the number of vertices and the number of edges, respectively, and the function α(<i>m, n</i>) is the inverse of the Ackermann function (see by Tarjan [38]). This improves the time complexity of the algorithm by Reed, Smith and Vetta [29] who gave an <i>O(nm</i>) time algorithm for this problem. Our algorithm also implies the edge version of the problem, i.e, there is an edge set <i>X</i>' ε <i>E(G</i>) such that <i>G</i> -- <i>X</i>' is bipartite. Using this algorithm and the recent result in [16], we give an <i>O(mα(m, n</i>) + <i>n</i> log <i>n</i>) algorithm for the following problem for any fixed <i>k:</i> <b>Input:</b> A graph <i>G</i> and an integer <i>k</i>. <b>Output:</b> Determine whether or not there is a half-integral <i>k</i> disjoint odd cycles packing, i.e, <i>k</i> odd cycles <i>C</i><sub>1</sub>,. , <i>C</i><sub><i>k</i></sub> in <i>G</i> such that each vertex is on at most two of these odd cycles. This improves the time complexity of the algorithm by Reed, Smith and Vetta [29] who gave an <i>O(n</i><sup>3</sup>) time algorithm for this problem. We also give a much simpler and much shorter proof for the following result by Reed [28]. The Erdős-Pósa property holds for the half-integral disjoint odd cycles packing problem. I.e. either <i>G</i> has a half-integral <i>k</i> disjoint odd cycles packing or <i>G</i> has a vertex set <i>X</i> of order at most <i>f (k</i>) such that <i>G</i> -- <i>X</i> is bipartite for some function <i>f</i> of <i>k</i>. Note that the Erdős-Pósa property does not hold for odd cycles in general.
Expressing OsMPK4 Impairs Plant Growth but Enhances the Resistance of Rice to the Striped Stem Borer Chilo suppressalis

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs) play a central role not only in plant growth and development, but also in plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses, including pathogens. Yet, their role in herbivore-induced plant defenses and their underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we cloned a rice MPK gene, OsMPK4, whose expression was induced by mechanical wounding, infestation of the striped stem borer (SSB) Chilo suppressalis, and treatment with jasmonic acid (JA), but not by treatment with salicylic acid (SA). The overexpression of OsMPK4 (oe-MPK4) enhanced constitutive and/or SSB-induced levels of JA, jasmonoyl-l-isoleucine (JA-Ile), ethylene (ET), and SA, as well as the activity of elicited trypsin proteinase inhibitors (TrypPIs), and reduced SSB performance. On the other hand, compared to wild-type plants, oe-MPK4 lines in the greenhouse showed growth retardation. These findings suggest that OsMPK4, by regulating JA-, ET-, and SA-mediated signaling pathways, functions as a positive regulator of rice resistance to the SSB and a negative regulator of rice growth.
Yogurt and weight management 1-4

A large body of observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has examinedthe role of dairy products in weight loss and maintenance of healthy weight. Yogurt is a dairy product that is generally very similar to milk, but it also has some unique properties that may enhance its possible role in weight maintenance. This review summarizes the human RCTand prospective observational evidence on the relation of yogurt consumption to the management and maintenance of body weight and composition. The RCT evidence is limited to 2 small, short-term, energy-restricted trials. They both showed greater weight losses with yogurt interventions, but the difference between the yogurt intervention and the control diet was only significant in one of these trials. There are 5 prospective observational studies that have examined the association between yogurt and weight gain. The results of these studies are equivocal. Two of these studies reported that individuals with higher yogurt consumption gained less weight over time. One of these same studies also considered changes in waist circumference (WC) and showed that higher yogurt consumption was associated with smaller increases in WC. A third study was inconclusive because of low statistical power. A fourth study observed no association between changes in yogurt intake and weight gain, but the results suggested that those with the largest increases in yogurt intake during the study also had the highest increase in WC. The final study examined weight and WC change separately by sex and baselineweight status and showed benefits for both weight and WC changes for higher yogurt consumption in overweight men, but it also found that higher yogurt consumption in normal-weight women was associated with a greater increase in weight over follow-up. Potential underlying mechanisms for the action of yogurt on weight are briefly discussed. Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113. 073031.
Transient ischemic attacks: predictability of future ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack events

The short-term risk of an ischemic stroke after a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is estimated to be approximately 3%–10% at 2 days, 5% at 7 days, and 9%–17% at 90 days, depending on active or passive ascertainment of ischemic stroke. Various risk prediction scores are available to identify high-risk patients. We present here a pragmatic review of the literature discussing the main scoring systems. We also provide the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for each scoring system. Our review shows that scoring systems including brain imaging and vascular imaging are better at risk prediction than scores that do not include this information.
Application of Social Network Theory to Software Development: The problem of Task Allocation

To systematize software development, many process models have been proposed over the years. These models focus on the sequence of steps used by developers to create reliable software. Though these processmodels have helped companies to gain certification and attain global standards, they don’t take into account interpersonal interactions and various other social aspects of software development organizations. In this paper we tackle one crucial part of the Coordination problem in Software Development, namely the problem of task assignment in a team. We propose a methodology to test a hypothesis based on how social networks can be used to improve coordination in Software Industry. In a pilot case study based on 4 teams of Masters Student working in a globally distributed environment (Holland and India), the social network structures along with the task distribution in each of the teams were analyzed. In each case we observed patterns, which could be used to test many hypotheses on team coordination and task allocation between them.
Effect of Ca2+ on the promiscuous target-protein binding of calmodulin

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium sensing protein that regulates the function of a large number of proteins, thus playing a crucial part in many cell signaling pathways. CaM has the ability to bind more than 300 different target peptides in a Ca2+-dependent manner, mainly through the exposure of hydrophobic residues. How CaM can bind a large number of targets while retaining some selectivity is a fascinating open question. Here, we explore the mechanism of CaM selective promiscuity for selected target proteins. Analyzing enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations of Ca2+-bound and Ca2+-free CaM via spectral clustering has allowed us to identify distinct conformational states, characterized by interhelical angles, secondary structure determinants and the solvent exposure of specific residues. We searched for indicators of conformational selection by mapping solvent exposure of residues in these conformational states to contacts in structures of CaM/target peptide complexes. We thereby identified CaM states involved in various binding classes arranged along a depth binding gradient. Binding Ca2+ modifies the accessible hydrophobic surface of the two lobes and allows for deeper binding. Apo CaM indeed shows shallow binding involving predominantly polar and charged residues. Furthermore, binding to the C-terminal lobe of CaM appears selective and involves specific conformational states that can facilitate deep binding to target proteins, while binding to the N-terminal lobe appears to happen through a more flexible mechanism. Thus the long-ranged electrostatic interactions of the charged residues of the N-terminal lobe of CaM may initiate binding, while the short-ranged interactions of hydrophobic residues in the C-terminal lobe of CaM may account for selectivity. This work furthers our understanding of the mechanism of CaM binding and selectivity to different target proteins and paves the way towards a comprehensive model of CaM selectivity.
From ideas to efficacy: The ORBIT model for developing behavioral treatments for chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE Given the critical role of behavior in preventing and treating chronic diseases, it is important to accelerate the development of behavioral treatments that can improve chronic disease prevention and outcomes. Findings from basic behavioral and social sciences research hold great promise for addressing behaviorally based clinical health problems, yet there is currently no established pathway for translating fundamental behavioral science discoveries into health-related treatments ready for Phase III efficacy testing. This article provides a systematic framework for developing behavioral treatments for preventing and treating chronic diseases. METHOD The Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials (ORBIT) model for behavioral treatment development features a flexible and progressive process, prespecified clinically significant milestones for forward movement, and return to earlier stages for refinement and optimization. RESULTS This article presents the background and rationale for the ORBIT model, a summary of key questions for each phase, a selection of study designs and methodologies well-suited to answering these questions, and prespecified milestones for forward or backward movement across phases. CONCLUSIONS The ORBIT model provides a progressive, clinically relevant approach to increasing the number of evidence-based behavioral treatments available to prevent and treat chronic diseases. (PsycINFO Database Record
Cadmium Exposure-Sedum alfredii Planting Interactions Shape the Bacterial Community in the Hyperaccumulator Plant Rhizosphere

ABSTRACT Rhizospheric bacteria play important roles in plant tolerance and activation of heavy metals. Understanding the bacterial rhizobiome of hyperaccumulators may contribute to the development of optimized phytoextraction for metal-polluted soils. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate the rhizospheric bacterial communities of the cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE) Sedum alfredii in comparison to its nonhyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE). Both planting of two ecotypes of S. alfredii and elevated Cd levels significantly decreased bacterial alpha-diversity and altered bacterial community structure in soils. The HE rhizosphere harbored a unique bacterial community differing from those in its bulk soil and NHE counterparts. Several key taxa from Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and TM7 were especially abundant in HE rhizospheres under high Cd stress. The actinobacterial genus Streptomyces was responsible for the majority of the divergence of bacterial community composition between the HE rhizosphere and other soil samples. In the HE rhizosphere, the abundance of Streptomyces was 3.31- to 16.45-fold higher than that in other samples under high Cd stress. These results suggested that both the presence of the hyperaccumulator S. alfredii and Cd exposure select for a specialized rhizosphere bacterial community during phytoextraction of Cd-contaminated soils and that key taxa, such as the species affiliated with the genus Streptomyces, may play an important role in metal hyperaccumulation. IMPORTANCE Sedum alfredii is a well-known Cd hyperaccumulator native to China. Its potential for extracting Cd relies not only on its powerful uptake, translocation, and tolerance for Cd but also on processes underground (especially rhizosphere microbes) that facilitate root uptake and tolerance of the metal. In this study, a high-throughput sequencing approach was applied to gain insight into the soil-plant-microbe interactions that may influence Cd accumulation in the hyperaccumulator S. alfredii. Here, we report the investigation of rhizosphere bacterial communities of S. alfredii in phytoremediation of different levels of Cd contamination in soils. Moreover, some key taxa in its rhizosphere identified in the study, such as the species affiliated with genus Streptomyces, may shed new light on the involvement of bacteria in phytoextraction of contaminated soils and provide new materials for phytoremediation optimization.
Improving Self-Help E-Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Among Sexual Minorities: An Analysis of Focus Groups With Lesbians and Gay Men

Background E-therapies for depression and anxiety rarely account for lesbian and gay users. This is despite lesbians and gay men being at heightened risk of mood disorders and likely to benefit from having access to tailored self-help resources. Objective We sought to determine how e-therapies for depression and anxiety could be improved to address the therapeutic needs of lesbians and gay men. Methods We conducted eight focus groups with lesbians and gay men aged 18 years and older. Focus groups were presented with key modules from the popular e-therapy “MoodGYM”. They were asked to evaluate the inclusiveness and relevance of these modules for lesbians and gay men and to think about ways that e-therapies in general could be modified. The focus groups were analyzed qualitatively using a thematic analysis approach to identify major themes. Results The focus groups indicated that some but not all aspects of MoodGYM were suitable, and suggested ways of improving e-therapies for lesbian and gay users. Suggestions included avoiding language or examples that assumed or implied users were heterosexual, improving inclusiveness by representing non-heterosexual relationships, providing referrals to specialized support services and addressing stigma-related stress, such as “coming out” and experiences of discrimination and harassment. Focus group participants suggested that dedicated e-therapies for lesbians and gay men should be developed or general e-therapies be made more inclusive by using adaptive logic to deliver content appropriate for a user’s sexual identity. Conclusions Findings from this study offer in-depth guidance for developing e-therapies that more effectively address mental health problems among lesbians and gay men.
A 95 GHz bandwidth 12 dBm output power distributed amplifier in InP-DHBT technology for optoelectronic applications

This paper presents a DC-95 GHz distributed amplifier (DA) based on an InP/GaAsSb/InP 800 nm DHBT technology. The circuit employs five cascode unit cells with 0.8 µm × 6 µm HBTs. To obtain flat small-signal gain and group delay characteristics, inductive peaking is used at the collector of the common-base transistor. The amplifier exhibits 12 dB gain from 1–100 GHz, with S11 and S22 below −10 dB throughout the frequency range. DC consumption is only 126 mW and group delay remains below 20 ps up to 65 GHz. The simulated saturated output power reaches 12 dBm with a variation of ±0.75 dB across the entire band of operation. This performance is very useful in high-speed, ultra-low power optical systems.