Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simple and Adaptive Particle Swarms

The substantial advances that have been made to both the theoretical and practical aspects of particle swarm optimization over the past 10 years have taken it far beyond its original intent as a biological swarm simulation. This thesis details and explains these advances in the context of what has been achieved to this point, as well as what has yet to be understood or solidified within the research community. Taking into account the state of the modern field, a standardized PSO algorithm is defined for benchmarking and comparative purposes both within the work, and for the community as a whole. This standard is refined and simplified over several iterations into a form that does away with potentially undesirable properties of the standard algorithm while retaining equivalent or superior performance on the common set of benchmarks. This refinement, referred to as a discrete recombinant swarm (PSODRS) requires only a single user-defined parameter in the positional update equation, and uses minimal additive stochasticity, rather than the multiplicative stochasticity inherent in the standard PSO. After a mathematical analysis of the PSO-DRS algorithm, an adaptive framework is developed and rigorously tested, demonstrating the effects of the tunable particle- and swarm-level parameters. This adaptability shows practical benefit by broadening the range of problems which the PSO-DRS algorithm is wellsuited to optimize.
Teaching Assistants ’ Growth as Teachers : An Unexamined Practice

In recent years, providing teaching professional development for graduate teaching assistants has become more common in mathematics departments in the US. Following this trend, mathematics education researchers have begun to conduct studies on professional development programs and on graduate students as novice teachers. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the current status of research in this field and make recommendations for future research on graduate teaching assistants and professional development. In examining the literature, we utilize an existing framework for collegiate teaching practices and focus on studies that attended to growth. As a result of this literature review, we recommend that researchers begin developing models or theories for how and why graduate students grow as teachers.
Transient cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute lung injury in rats associated with protein kinase C alpha expression.

OBJECTIVE The pathogenesis and development timing of acute lung injury (ALI) following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) are not fully understood. In this study, the development timing of ALI induced by transient global cerebral I/R as well as the underlying mechanisms of action were investigated. METHODS A cerebral I/R-induced ALI model in Wistar rats was established by electrocoagulation of bilateral vertebral arteries combined with ligation of the transient bilateral common carotid arteries. Rats were randomly divided into control and cerebral I/R groups. The latter was subdivided into 3 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post reperfusion. Lung injury was assessed by histological examination. The mRNA and protein expression of protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) were determined using qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence analysis, respectively. RESULTS Lung histological injury could be detected as early as 3 h after global cerebral I/R, and was significant between groups at 48 h and 72 h. Compared with the control group, mRNA expression of PKCα in the lung was enhanced in rats in the cerebral I/R groups (P<0.001), and the highest expression was observed at 48 h (P<0.001). The intensity of PKCα reactivity gradually increased starting at 3 h, and peaked at 72 h after cerebral I/R (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The lung is very susceptible to transient global cerebral I/R injury in vivo. Lung histological injury occurred within hours of cerebral I/R induction and aggregated in a very short period after cerebral I/R. Moreover, PKCα expression was implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral I/R-induced ALI.
Territorial Intelligence as an Approach of Cooperation in the Territory : Case study in Hassan 1 st University

This article is based on research conducted at the University Hassan 1 of Settat in Morocco, which aim to implement a territorial intelligence approach in the city of Settat. The design of a Web portal is an important step in our approach. The territorial information system would at first be a web portal, for supporting the network of local stakeholders around a common understanding on territorial issues and to establishing the elements of a territory project for a city marked by the nonuse of ICT in the context of collective management. Index Term— Portal, Territorial intelligence, University, territorial stakeholders, Innovation
Betatron radiation and emittance growth in plasma wakefield accelerators

Beam-driven plasma wakefield acceleration (PWFA) has demonstrated significant progress during the past two decades of research. The new Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) II, currently under construction, will provide 10 GeV electron beams with unprecedented parameters for the next generation of PWFA experiments. In the context of the FACET II facility, we present simulation results on expected betatron radiation and its potential application to diagnose emittance preservation and hosing instability in the upcoming PWFA experiments. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Directions in particle beam-driven plasma wakefield acceleration’.
Effect of smoking in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A cross-sectional study in state of Madhya Pradesh, India

Aim: Understanding the impact of smoking on the development and severity of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is pivotal, as it affects the management of the disease. This study investigated the effect of smoking in patients with AS and its outcome on the disease. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study from September 1, 2018, to November 30, 2018, in a rheumatology outpatient department enrolled patients aged >18 years diagnosed with AS and divided into two groups according to their smoking status. Demographic details and hematological and biochemical parameters were noted. Modified Schober's test, chest expansion, and duration of disease measurements were performed. Disease activity and functional state were evaluated using the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI). Results: A total of 48 patients were enrolled (smoker, n = 20; nonsmoker, n = 28). The mean age in smoker and nonsmoker groups was 39.40 years and 26.18 years, respectively, and male preponderance was observed; the mean duration of disease was 42.90 months and 43.14 months, respectively. BASDAI and BASFI scores were significantly higher in the smoker group (5.08 and 4.51, respectively) as compared to nonsmoker group (3.40 and 2.34, respectively) (P < 0.001). The modified Schober's test showed a significant decrease in the range of spinal mobility in the smoker group (2.67 cm) than in the nonsmoker group (4.40 cm) (P < 0.001). A significant decrease in the mean chest expansion was seen in the smoker group than the nonsmoker group (3.08 vs. 5.68 cm; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Results demonstrate the negative effect of smoking on disease and functional activity in patients with AS.
Fractured tooth reattachment: A series of two case reports

Trauma to the anterior teeth is relatively a common occurrence. There are several treatment modalities for such condition, one of which is the reattachment of fractured fragment itself. Reattachment of fractured fragment provides immediate treatment with better esthetics, restoration of function, and is a faster and less complicated procedure. Reattachment of tooth fragment should be the first choice and is a viable alternative to conventional approaches because of simplicity, natural esthetics, and conservation of tooth structure. Patient cooperation and understanding of the limitations of the treatment is of utmost importance for good prognosis. The manuscript presents two case reports describing the management of a complicated fracture of maxillary anterior teeth treated endodontically, followed by reattachment of the same fragment. Reattachment of fractured tooth fragment offers a viable restorative alternative, immediately restores tooth function and esthetics with the use of a very conservative and cost-effective approach.
Awareness regarding Nipah infection among health-care workers in a Medical College Hospital in Kerala

Background: Nipah is a highly infectious viral zoonotic disease with documented human-to-human transmission and high case fatality rate. An outbreak of Nipah infection occurred in Kerala in May 2018. Considering that this is the first encounter for health professionals dealing with Nipah outbreak in this part of India, awareness intensification among health-care workers is of paramount importance. Objectives: The objective of this study is to find out the awareness regarding Nipah infection among health-care workers at a medical college hospital in Kerala and also to find out the factors associated with level of awareness. Methodology: The present cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical college hospital of Kerala during the period from June 2018 to August 2018. All health-care workers from different categories who were working for a period of >1 month in the medical college were included in the study. The study tool included a structured questionnaire which collected information regarding sociodemographic details, awareness regarding causes, modes of transmission, clinical features, diagnostic investigations, and preventive measures of Nipah. A scoring pattern was developed and any respondent scoring <50% was considered as poor and ≥50% as having good awareness. After taking the written informed consent from the participants, data were collected. Results: In this study, 204 health-care workers were enrolled. The mean age of the participants was 30.01 ± 6.7 years. Majority of the participants were nurses followed by the laboratory staff and doctors. Nearly 41% of the study population had a working experience of ≥5 years. Among the staff, 65.7% was found to have good and 34.3% had poor awareness regarding Nipah infection. The highest level of awareness was observed in Category 3 (investigations) and poorest in Category 4 (prevention). Higher age, work experience, and male gender were the factors associated with better awareness about Nipah. The highest level of awareness was observed among doctors (89.2%) followed by laboratory staff (83.3%) and nurses (61%). Conclusion and Recommendations: The overall awareness about Nipah infection among health-care staff was found to be satisfactory, with 65.7% of them having good awareness even during the initial days of the outbreak. Since it was the first outbreak in Kerala, there were some deficiencies in the knowledge of all categories of the health-care staff. Primary prevention approach aimed at spreading adequate awareness and refreshing knowledge among all health-care staff, including nonmedical staff should be practiced, and thereby they can serve as educators of the community at large.
In vitro evaluation of bond strength of sealers after using various irrigants and Erbium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet laser irradiation on radicular dentin surface: A SEM study

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the push-out bond strength of Adseal and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Fillapex sealer after using various irrigants and Erbium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Er:YAG) laser irradiation on radicular dentin surface. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 freshly extracted human permanent maxillary anterior teeth were sectioned transversally below the cemento-enamel junction. The remaining root portion was sectioned to get 4-mm thick dentin disc from coronal end of the root, with straight handpiece, and diamond disc. Root canal of specimens was prepared with bur to create space for sealer placement. Specimens were divided into eight groups of 10 samples each, as per irrigants and sealer used. In Group 1, 3, 5, and 7 specimens irrigated with distilled water, NaOCl, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and Er:YAG laser, respectively, and obturated with Adseal sealer. In Group 2, 4, 6, and 8 irrigated with distilled water, NaOCl, EDTA, and Er:YAG laser, respectively, and obturated with MTA Fillapex sealer. After sealer setting, the force used to remove the sealer was evaluated using universal testing machine. Recorded force used to calculate the push-out bond strength in Megapascals and scanning electron microscopy examination was done for specimens. Results: Adseal sealer had significantly higher bond strength than MTA Fillapex sealer, irrespective of irrigant used. The highest bond strength was seen in specimens irrigated with EDTA and obturated with Adseal sealer and least in specimens irrigated with distilled water and obturated with MTA Fillapex sealer. Conclusion: Adseal sealer had significantly higher bond strength than the MTA Fillapex sealer. EDTA irrigation showed better smear layer removal, followed by Er:YAG laser irradiation, then NaOCl, least by distilled water.
Invasive cervical resorption: An endodontic challenge managed by intentional replantation

Invasive cervical resorption (ICR) is an aggressive form of tooth resorption that is not well understood. Accurate diagnosis and early management are prerequisites for long-term retention of the tooth. Treatment procedure includes eliminating the resorptive tissue followed by restoring the defect with a suitable biocompatible material. This case report is on successful management of an ICR lesion; inaccessible to the conventional procedure; by root canal treatment and intentional replantation (IR) of the tooth for complete debridement and sealing of resorptive site with biodentine. At 18-month recall, the tooth was clinically sound with no radiographic evidence of inflammatory or replacement root resorption. Thus, IR should be considered as a viable treatment option.
Information Inundation on Platforms and Implications

In this paper we study a model of information consumption where consumers sequentially interact with a platform that offers a menu of signals (posts) about an underlying state of the world (fact). At each time, incapable of consuming all posts, consumers screen the posts and only select (and consume) one from the offered menu. We show that in the presence of uncertainty about the accuracy of these posts, and as the number of posts increases, adverse effects such as slow learning and polarization arise. Specifically, we establish that, in this setting, bias emerges as a consequence of the consumer's screening process. Namely, consumers, in their quest to choose the post that reduces their uncertainty about the state of the world, choose to consume the post that is closest to their own beliefs. We study the evolution of beliefs and we show that such a screening bias slows down the learning process, and the speed of learning decreases with the menu size. Further, we show that the society becomes polarized during the prolonged learning process even in situations where the society's belief distribution was not a priori polarized.
Fast & Strong: The Case of Compressed String Dictionaries on Modern CPUs

String dictionaries constitute a large portion of the memory foot-print of database applications. While strong string dictionary compression algorithms exist, these come with impractical access and compression times. Therefore, lightweight algorithms such as front coding are favored in practice. This paper endeavors to make strong string dictionary compression practical. We focus on Re-Pair Front Coding (RPFC), a grammar-based compression algorithm, since it consistently offers better compression ratios than other algorithms in the literature. To accelerate compression times, we propose block-based RPFC, which consists in compressing independently small blocks of the dictionary. Moreover, to accelerate access times, we devise a vectorized access method, using Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions 512 (Intel® AVX-512), that is enabled by two specific changes we propose to RPFC. Our experimental evaluation shows that our proposed techniques accelerate compression and access times by up to 24x and 2.9x, respectively. These results move our modified RPFC into a practical range for use in database systems.
Improving CPU I/O Performance via SSD Controller FTL Support for Batched Writes

Exploiting a storage hierarchy is critical to cost-effective data management. One can achieve great performance when working solely on main memory data. But this comes at a high cost. Systems that use secondary storage as the "home" for data have much lower storage costs as they can not only make the data durable but reduce its storage cost as well. Performance then becomes the challenge, reflected in an increased execution cost. Log structured stores, e.g. Deuteronomy, improve I/O cost/performance by batching writes. However, this incurs the cost of host-based garbage collection and recovery, which duplicates SSD flash translation layer (FTL) functionality. This paper describes the design and implementation in a controller for an Open Channel SSD of a new FTL that supports multi-page I/O without host-based log structuring. This both simplifies the host system and improves performance. The new FTL improves I/O cost/performance with only modest change to the current block at a time, update-in-place interface.
Social Learning and the Innkeeper's Challenge

Technological evolution, so central to the progress of humanity in recent decades, is the process of constantly introducing new technologies to replace old ones. A new technology does not necessarily mean a better technology and so should not always be embraced. How can society learn which novelties present actual improvements over the existing technology? Whereas the quality of status-quo technology is well known, the new one is a pig in a poke. With sufficiently many individuals willing to explore the new technology society can learn whether it is indeed an improvement. However, self motivated agents, often, do not agree to explore. This is true, in particular, if agents observed some predecessors that were disappointed from the new technology. Inspired by the classical multi-armed bandit model we study a setting where agents arrive sequentially and must pull one of two arms in order to receive a reward - a risky arm (representing the new technology) and a safe arm (representing the existing one). A central planner must induce sufficiently many agents to experiment with the risky arm. The central planner observes the actions and rewards of all agents while the agents themselves have partial observation. For the setting where each agent observes his predecessor we provide the central planner with a recommendation algorithm that is (almost) incentive compatible and facilitates social learning.
Cleaning StackOverflow for Machine Translation

Generating source code API sequences from an English query using Machine Translation (MT) has gained much interest in recent years. For any kind of MT, the model needs to be trained on a parallel corpus. In this paper we clean StackOverflow, one of the most popular online discussion forums for programmers, to generate a parallel English-Code corpus from Android posts. We contrast three data cleaning approaches: standard NLP, title only, and software task extraction. We evaluate the quality of the each corpus for MT. To provide indicators of how useful each corpus will be for machine translation, we provide researchers with measurements of the corpus size, percentage of unique tokens, and per-word maximum likelihood alignment entropy. We have used these corpus cleaning approaches to translate between English and Code [22, 23], to compare existing SMT approaches from word mapping to neural networks [24], and to re-examine the "natural software" hypothesis [29]. After cleaning and aligning the data, we create a simple maximum likelihood MT model to show that English words in the corpus map to a small number of specific code elements. This model provides a basis for the success of using StackOverflow for search and other tasks in the software engineering literature and paves the way for MT. Our scripts and corpora are publicly available on GitHub [1] as well as at https://search.datacite. org/works/10.5281/zenodo.2558551.
Hydraulic actuator analysis for industrial robot multivariable control

This paper aims to obtain a general mathematical function for hydraulic actuators which can be used for the design of multivariable controllers. The paper shows that the current/torque relationships of linear actuators may be represented as first order resulting overall in a third order input/output function for robots with large supply pressure. The model caters for the greatest source of instability in hydraulic systems, namely the compressibility feedback can be used to solve the problem of supply pressure variations resulting from multi-joint movements of robot arms. A large hydraulic robot, the Workmaster, formerly manufactured by Thorn EMI Robotics, is modeled without loss of generality.
Influence Maximization on Undirected Graphs: Towards Closing the (1-1/e) Gap

We study the influence maximization problem in undirected networks, specifically focusing on the independent cascade and linear threshold models. We prove APX-hardness (NP-hardness of approximation within factor (1-τ) for some constant τ>0$) for both models, which improves the previous NP-hardness lower bound for the linear threshold model. No previous hardness result was known for the independent cascade model. As part of the hardness proof, we show some natural properties of these cascades on undirected graphs. For example, we show that the expected number of infections of a seed set S is upper-bounded by the size of the edge cut of S in the linear threshold model and a special case of the independent cascade model called the weighted independent cascade model. Motivated by our upper bounds, we present a suite of highly scalable local greedy heuristics for the influence maximization problem on both the linear threshold model and the weighted independent cascade model on undirected graphs that, in practice, find seed sets which on average obtain 97.52% of the performance of the much slower greedy algorithm for the linear threshold model, and 97.39% of the performance of the greedy algorithm for the weighted independent cascade model. Our heuristics also outperform other popular local heuristics, such as the degree discount heuristic by Chen et al.
A Data Set of Program Invariants and Error Paths

The analysis of correctness proofs and counterexamples of program source code is an important way to gain insights into methods that could make it easier in the future to find invariants to prove a program correct or to find bugs. The availability of high-quality data is often a limiting factor for researchers who want to study real program invariants and real bugs. The described data set provides a large collection of concrete verification results, which can be used in research projects as data source or for evaluation purposes. Each result is made available as verification witness, which represents either program invariants that were used to prove the program correct (correctness witness) or an error path to replay the actual bug (violation witness). The verification results are taken from actual verification runs on 10522 verification problems, using the 31 verification tools that participated in the 8th edition of the International Competition on Software Verification (SV-COMP). The collection contains a total of 125720 verification witnesses together with various meta data and a map to relate a witness to the C program that it originates from. Data set is available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2559175