Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Agile Information Retrieval Experimentation with Terrier Notebooks

Teaching modern information retrieval is greatly benefited by giving students hands-on experience with an open-source search engine that they can experiment with. As such, open source platforms such as Terrier are a valuable resource upon which learning exercises can be built. However, experimentation using such systems can be a laborious process when performed by hand; queries might be rewritten, executed, and model parameters tuned. Moreover, the rise of learning-to-rank as the de-facto standard for state-ofthe-art retrieval complicates this further, with the introduction of training, validation and testing (likely over multiple folded datasets representing different query types). Currently, students resort to shell scripting to make experimentation easier, however this is far from ideal. On the other hand, the introduction of experimental pipelines in platforms like scikit-learn and Apache Spark in conjunction with notebook environments such as Jupyter have been shown to markedly reduce to barriers to non-experts setting up and running experiments. In this paper, we discuss how next generation information retrieval experimental pipelines can be combined in an agile manner using notebook-style interaction mechanisms. Building upon the Terrier IR platform, we describe how this is achieved using a recently released Terrier-Spark module and other recent changes in Terrier 5.0. Overall, this paper demonstrates the advantages of the agile nature of notebooks to experimental IR environments, from the classroom environment, through academic and industry research labs.
Taxonomic and Functional Changes of Bacterial Communities in the Rhizosphere of Kimchi Cabbage After Seed Bacterization with Proteus vulgaris JBLS202

Maintenance of a beneficial microbial community, especially in the rhizosphere, is indispensable for plant growth and agricultural sustainability. In this sense, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been extensively studied for their role in plant growth promotion and disease resistance. However, the impact of introducing PGPR strains into rhizosphere microbial communities is still underexplored. We previously found that the Proteus vulgaris JBLS202 strain (JBLS202) promoted growth of Kimchi cabbage and altered the relative abundance of total bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. in the treated rhizosphere. To extend these findings, we used pyrosequencing to analyze the changes in bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of Kimchi cabbage after introduction of JBLS202. The alterations were also evaluated by taxon-specific real-time PCR (qPCR). The pyrosequencing data revealed an increase in total bacteria abundance, including specific groups such as Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria, in the treated rhizosphere. Time-course qPCR analysis confirmed the increase in the abundance of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Betaproteobacteria. Furthermore, genes involved in nitrogen cycling were upregulated by JBLS202 treatment indicating changes in ecological function of the rhizosphere soil. Overall, these results indicate that introduction of JBLS202 alters both the composition and function of the rhizosphere bacterial community, which can have direct and indirect effects on plant growth. Therefore, we propose that long-term changes in bacterial composition and community-level function need to be considered for practical use of PGPRs.
Passive Overall Packet Loss Estimation at the Border of an ISP

In this paper, a heuristic method that leverages packet traces captured at the entire boarder of an ISP to distinguish and estimate the overall packet loss within an ISP’s management domain ( Intra _ Path _ Loss ) and that in the outside Internet ( Inter _ Path _ Loss ) is proposed. Our method is inspired by that packet losses happened at different locations will cause different TCP sequence number patterns at the border of an ISP. Thereby, we leverage these TCP sequence number patterns to build a series of heuristic rules to estimate Intra _ Path _ Loss and Inter _ Path _ Loss , respectively. We do this work with an eye towards showing that the overall packet losses defined and estimated in this paper can provide the operators with some valuable information to help them precisely grasp the overall performance of network paths and narrow down the range of network anomalies. The proposed method is rigorously validated with simulations, and finally the results from a regional academic network JSERNET 1 verify its effectiveness and practicability.
Computational estimation of scene structure through texture gradient cues

Analyzing the depth structure implied in two-dimensional images is one of the most active research areas in computer vision. Here, we propose a method of utilizing texture within an image to derive its depth structure. Though most approaches for deriving depth from a single still image utilize luminance edges and shading to estimate scene structure, relatively little work has been done to utilize the abundant texture information in images. Our new approach begins by analyzing the two cues of local spatial frequency and orientation distributions of the textures within an image, which are used to compute the local slant information across the image. The slant and frequency information are merged to create a unified depth map, providing an important channel for image structure information that can be combined with other available cues. The capabilities of the algorithm are illustrated for a variety of images of planar and curved surfaces under perspective projection, in most of which the depth structure is effortlessly perceived by human observers. Since these operations are readily implementable in neural hardware in early visual cortex, they therefore represent a model of the human perception of the depth structure of images from texture gradient cues.
A new megaspilid wasp from Eocene Baltic amber (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronoidea), with notes on two non-ceraphronoid families: Radiophronidae and Stigmaphronidae

Ceraphronoids are some of the most commonly collected hymenopterans, yet they remain rare in the fossil record. Conostigmus talamasi Mikó and Trietsch, sp. nov. from Baltic amber represents an intermediate form between the type genus, Megaspilus, and one of the most species-rich megaspilid genera, Conostigmus. We describe the new species using 3D data collected with synchrotron-based micro-CT equipment. This non-invasive technique allows for quick data collection in unusually high resolution, revealing morphological traits that are otherwise obscured by the amber. In describing this new species, we revise the diagnostic characters for Ceraphronoidea and discuss possible reasons why minute wasps with a pterostigma are often misidentified as ceraphronoids. Based on the lack of ceraphronoid characteristics, we remove Dendrocerus dubitatus Brues, 1937, Stigmaphronidae, and Radiophronidae from Ceraphronoidea and consider them as incertae sedis. We also provide some guidance for their future classification.
Using structural technology acceptance models to segment intended users of a new technology: Propositions and an empirical illustration

This article aims to offer an alternative method to analyse technology acceptance models, namely a segment‐wise analysis. The empirical illustration of this method involves data that were collected during a company‐wide implementation of a Sales Force Automation technology in Europe. The data comprise a variety of commonly used technology‐related, context‐related, and person‐related variables. The segmentation procedure, which involved a finite mixture partial least squares estimation, provides more insight into the different ways in which people come to accept new technologies. Unlike other segmentation studies published in IS journals, the resulting segments are based on similarities and differences in the structure of the underlying theoretical models rather than (a collection of) individual variables. Further research or a re‐analysis of existing data should help establish robust “technology acceptance model”‐based segments as well as comprehensive profiles of the individuals in each segment.
Segmentation of medical images using an active-contour model incorporating region-based image features

An improved segmentation algorithm based on the active contour model is developed. A distinguishing element of our algorithm is the incorporation of region-based image features which improves signifcantly the reliability of the algorithm, and allows multi- region segmentation of an image. We use simulated annealing in the energy minimization in order to locate the globally optimal solution and enhance flexibility in the construction of energy functional.
Problems and approaches for tissue segmentation in 3-D MR imaging

The paper describes applications problems and approaches for image segmentation in magnetic resonance imaging. The methods which are proposed work on 3D-datasets with the goal of isolating tissue volumes. Unlike 2D-techniques which operate on multispectral image data in 3D-image segmentation only one image for one anatomical slice is available lacking essential information for tissue discrimination. Three different approaches for the task of volume segmentation are presented. The first is based on the detection of edge structures dividing the original images into anatomically relevant object regions. A 3D-region merging algorithm is applied to extract those regions which belong to the object to be segmented from the region dataset. The second method consists of a polynomial classification of imagepixels into several user-defined tissue classes. Local texture properties are used as discrimination features. The third approach region classification may be regarded as a combination between edge detection and pixel classification. On the basis of a presegmentation of the dataset into object regions a classification process tries to group the regions into different object classes making use of various region features. The latter strategy has yielded the best results and highest reliability for 3D-image segmentation. Further improvements towards minimization of user-interaction are proposed. 1. © (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Belief in Social Mobility Mitigates Hostility Resulting From Disadvantaged Social Standing

Comparing economically unfavorably with similar others has detrimental consequences for an individual, ultimately resulting in low physical health, delinquency, and hostility. In four studies (N = 2,032), we examined whether believing in a mobile society—one offering fair chances and opportunity—mitigates hostile emotions resulting from disadvantaged social standing. We find that with increasing mobility belief, negative comparisons have gradually less impact on hostility. Specifically, measured (Studies 1 and 4) and manipulated (Studies 2 and 3) social mobility belief moderated the link between induced high versus low social status, experiencing relative deprivation, and hostile affect. A positive outcome on the surface, social mobility belief may indirectly contribute to the maintenance of social inequality by appeasing anger about perceived injustice.
Personalized teleoperation via intention recognition

ABSTRACT One of the challenges of teleoperation is the recognition of a user’s intended commands, particularly in the manning of highly dynamic systems such as drones. In this paper, we present a solution to this problem by developing a generalized scheme relying on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that is trained to recognize a user’s intended commands, directed through a haptic device. Our proposed method allows the interface to be personalized for each user, by pre-training the CNN differently according to the input data that is specific to the intended end user. Experiments were conducted using two haptic devices and classification results demonstrate that the proposed system outperforms geometric-based approaches by nearly 12%. Furthermore, our system also lends itself to other human–machine interfaces where intention recognition is required.
A Case for Alpha-Lipoic Acid as an Alternative Treatment for Diabetic Polyneuropathy.

PURPOSE The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate current evidence of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) regarding efficacy, safety, and cost to accurately compare it with other diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) treatments. The intention is to provide recommendations on future research and to promote utilization of ALA in the United States (US). METHODS A literature search was conducted on three databases: Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The following criteria were used to select studies: (1) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and open-label trials on ALA, (2) review articles and meta-analyses of RCTs on ALA, (3) study population consisting of patients with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathic pain, and/or metabolic syndrome. RESULTS Twenty-five publications were selected including five RCTs and three open-label studies. Most clinical trials were conducted outside of the US. Current data provides evidence for the benefits of ALA in DPN treatment at a dose of 600 mg per day, either intravenously (IV) or orally, for a duration of at least 3 weeks with minimal side effects. CONCLUSIONS ALA demonstrates effectiveness in treating DPN through multiple mechanisms to modulate pathophysiology and control symptoms. In addition, ALA exhibits activity in weight management and insulin sensitivity. The use of ALA for DPN in the US is worth considering because commonly prescribed medications have unclear mechanisms, more pronounced adverse effects, and are more expensive than ALA. Further research needs to be conducted to assess long-term efficacy of ALA in US patients.
Fungi: Typed incremental computation with names

Incremental computations attempt to exploit input similarities over time, reusing work that is unaffected by input changes. To maximize this reuse in a general-purpose programming setting, programmers need a mechanism to identify dynamic allocations (of data and subcomputations) that correspond over time. We present Fungi, a typed functional language for incremental computation with names. Unlike prior general-purpose languages for incremental computing, Fungi's notion of names is formal, general, and statically verifiable. Fungi's type-and-effect system permits the programmer to encode (program-specific) local invariants about names, and to use these invariants to establish global uniqueness for their composed programs, the property of using names correctly. We prove that well-typed Fungi programs respect global uniqueness. We derive a bidirectional version of the type and effect system, and we have implemented a prototype of Fungi in Rust. We apply Fungi to a library of incremental collections, showing that it is expressive in practice.
Measurement of tissue optical properties in the context of tissue optical clearing

Abstract. Nowadays, dynamically developing optical (photonic) technologies play an ever-increasing role in medicine. Their adequate and effective implementation in diagnostics, surgery, and therapy needs reliable data on optical properties of human tissues, including skin. This paper presents an overview of recent results on the measurements and control of tissue optical properties. The issues reported comprise a brief review of optical properties of biological tissues and efficacy of optical clearing (OC) method in application to monitoring of diabetic complications and visualization of blood vessels and microcirculation using a number of optical imaging technologies, including spectroscopic, optical coherence tomography, and polarization- and speckle-based ones. Molecular modeling of immersion OC of skin and specific technique of OC of adipose tissue by its heating and photodynamic treatment are also discussed.
Bystander Assistance for Trauma Victims in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review of Prevalence and Training Interventions

Abstract Objective: Lack of organized prehospital care may contribute to the disproportionate burden of trauma-related deaths in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends bystander training in basic principles of first aid and victim transport; however, prevalence of bystander or layperson assistance to trauma victims in LMICs has not been well-described, and organized reviews of existing evidence for bystander training are lacking. This systematic review aims to 1) describe the prevalence of bystander or layperson aid or transport for trauma victims in the prehospital setting in LMICs and 2) ascertain impacts of bystander training interventions in these settings. Methods: A systematic search of OVID Medline, Cochrane Library, and relevant gray literature was conducted. We included 1) all studies detailing prevalence of bystander-administered aid or transport for trauma victims in LMICs and 2) all randomized controlled trials and observational studies evaluating bystander training interventions. We extracted study characteristics, interventions, and outcomes data. Study quality was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Results: Sixty-two studies detailed prevalence of bystander transport and aid. Family members, police, and bus or taxi drivers commonly transported patients; a majority of patients, up to >94%, received aid from bystanders. Twenty-four studies examined impacts of training interventions. Only one study looked at transport interventions; the remainder addressed first aid training. Interventions varied in content, duration, and target learners. Evidence was generally of low quality, but all studies demonstrated improvements in layperson knowledge and skills. Five studies reported a mortality reduction. Conclusions: Heterogeneity in data reporting and outcomes limited formal meta-analysis. However, this review shows high rates of bystander involvement in prehospital trauma care and transport in LMICs and highlights the need for bystander training. Bystander training in these settings is feasible and may have an important impact on meaningful outcomes such as mortality. Categories of involved bystanders varied by region and training interventions should be targeted at relevant groups. “Train the trainer” models appear promising in securing community engagement and maximizing participation. Further research is needed to examine the value of bystander transport networks in trauma.
Relationship of cell surface hydrophobicity with biofilm formation and growth rate: A study on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli

Objective(s): This study was designed to determine the relationship of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli isolates in multispecies biofilms and their individual phenotypic characters in biofilm consortia. Materials and Methods: The subject isolates were recovered from different food samples and identified on the basis of growth on differential and selective media. Tube methods, Congo-red agar method, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study biofilms phenotypes. The hydrophobicity of the strains was evaluated by the adhesion to apolar solvent. Results: The results showed that E. coli dominated the pre-biofilm stage. It has been observed that E. coli adopted biofilm life much before S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. However, after adopting biofilm lifestyle, slowly and gradually, P. aeruginosa dominated the consortia and dispersed other stakeholders. The subject isolates of P. aeruginosa produce cis-2-decanoic acid to disperse or inhibit S. aureus and E. coli biofilms. Gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry results showed that cis-2-decanoic was higher in the co-culture condition and increased at late log-phase or at stationary phase. Although majority of S. aureus were unable to compete with P. aeruginosa, however, a minor population competed, survived, and persisted in biofilm consortia as small colony variants. The survivors showed higher expression of sigB and sarA genes. P. aeruginosa showed comparatively higher hydrophobic surface properties. Conclusion: Comparative analysis showed that cell surface hydrophobicity, growth rate, and small colony variants (SCVs) are correlated in biofilm consortia of the P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. coli.
Sagittal alignment of the cervical spine in the setting of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

OBJECTIVEThe goal of this study was to investigate the impact of thoracic and lumbar alignment on cervical alignment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODSEighty-one patients with AIS who had a Cobb angle > 40° and full-length spine radiographs were included. Radiographs were analyzed using dedicated software to measure pelvic parameters (sacral slope [SS], pelvic incidence [PI], pelvic tilt [PT]); regional parameters (C1 slope, C0-C2 angle, chin-brow vertical angle [CBVA], slope of line of sight [SLS], McRae slope, McGregor slope [MGS], C2-7 [cervical lordosis; CL], C2-7 sagittal vertical axis [SVA], C2-T3, C2-T3 SVA, C2-T1 Harrison measurement [C2-T1 Ha], T1 slope, thoracic kyphosis [TK], lumbar lordosis [LL], and PI-LL mismatch); and global parameters (SVA). Patients were stratified by their lumbar alignment into hyperlordotic (LL > 59.7°) and normolordotic (LL 39.3° to 59.7°) groups and also, based on their thoracic alignment, into hypokyphotic (TK < -33.1°) and normokyphotic (TK -33.1° to -54.9°) groups. Finally, they were grouped based on their global alignment into either an anterior-aligned group or a posterior-aligned group.RESULTSThe lumbar hyperlordotic group, in comparison to the normolordotic group, had a significantly larger LL, SS, PI (all p < 0.001), and TK (p = 0.014) and a significantly smaller PI-LL mismatch (p = 0.001). Lumbar lordosis had no influence on local cervical parameters.The thoracic hypokyphotic group had a significantly larger PI-LL mismatch (p < 0.002) and smaller T1 slope (p < 0.001), and was significantly more posteriorly aligned than the normokyphotic group (-15.02 ± 8.04 vs 13.54 ± 6.17 [mean ± SEM], p = 0.006). The patients with hypokyphotic AIS had a kyphotic cervical spine (cervical kyphosis [CK]) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a posterior-aligned cervical spine in terms of C2-7 SVA (p < 0.006) and C2-T3 SVA (p < 0.001) was observed in the thoracic hypokyphotic group.Comparing patients in terms of global alignment, the posterior-aligned group had a significantly smaller T1 slope (p < 0.001), without any difference in terms of pelvic, lumbar, and thoracic parameters when compared to the anterior-aligned group. The posterior-aligned group also had a CK (-9.20 ± 1.91 vs 5.21 ± 2.95 [mean ± SEM], p < 0.001) and a more posterior-aligned cervical spine, as measured by C2-7 SVA (p = 0.003) and C2-T3 SVA (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONSAlignment of the cervical spine is closely related to thoracic curvature and global alignment. In patients with AIS, a hypokyphotic thoracic alignment or posterior global alignment was associated with a global cervical kyphosis. Interestingly, upper cervical and cranial parameters were not statistically different in all investigated groups, meaning that the upper cervical spine was not recruited for compensation in order to maintain a horizontal gaze.