Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joint Data Collection and Resource Allocation for Distributed Machine Learning at the Edge

Under the paradigm of edge computing, the enormous data generated at the network edge can be processed locally. To make full utilization of these widely distributed data, we focus on an edge computing system that conducts distributed machine learning using gradient-descent based approaches. To ensure the system’s performance, there are two major challenges: how to collect data from multiple data source nodes for training jobs and how to allocate the limited resources on each edge server among these jobs. In this paper, we jointly consider the two challenges for distributed training (without service requirement), aiming to maximize the system throughput while ensuring the system’s quality of service (QoS). Specifically, we formulate the joint problem as a mixed-integer non-linear program, which is NP-hard, and propose an efficient approximation algorithm. Furthermore, we take service placement into consideration for diverse training jobs and propose an approximation algorithm. We also analyze that our proposed algorithm can achieve the constant bipartite approximation under many practical situations. We build a test-bed to evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm in a practical scenario. Extensive simulation results and testing results show that the proposed algorithms can improve the system throughput 56-69 percent compared with the conventional algorithms.
Prediction of Liquid–Liquid Equilibria for Biofuel Applications by Quantum Chemical Calculations Using the Cosmo-SAC Method

Currently, there is a great interest in the production of biofuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol and biobutanol. These processes involve liquid–liquid equilibria, which are important for the overall design of the process. However, suitable experimental data are often scarce. The Cosmo-SAC model provides a method to predict liquid–liquid equilibrium data from quantum chemical calculations without any experimental data. Hence, it can be used to provide initial estimates where experimental data are not available. In this work, we have evaluated the Cosmo-SAC model for the liquid–liquid equilibria involved in biodiesel production and bioalcohol extraction using ionic liquids, and we have compared it with the currently available experimental data.
Three-Dimensional Nanoarchitecture of BiFeO3 Anchored TiO2 Nanotube Arrays for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Solar Energy Conversion

Here, we report the synthesis of TiO2/BiFeO3 nanoheterostructure (NH) arrays by anchoring BiFeO3 (BFO) nanoparticles on TiO2 nanotube surface and investigate their pseudocapacitive and photoelectrochemical properties considering their applications in green energy fields. The unique TiO2/BFO NHs have been demonstrated both as energy conversion and storage materials. The capacitive behavior of the NHs has been found to be significantly higher than that of the pristine TiO2 NTs, which is mainly due to the anchoring of redox active BFO nanoparticles. A specific capacitance of about 440 F g–1 has been achieved for this NHs at a current density of 1.1 A g–1 with ∼80% capacity retention at a current density of 2.5 A g–1. The NHs also exhibit high energy and power performance (energy density of 46.5 Wh kg–1 and power density of 1.2 kW kg–1 at a current density of 2.5 A g–1) with moderate cycling stability (92% capacity retention after 1200 cycles). Photoelectrochemical investigation reveals that the photocurrent .
How to Communicate an Exclusion From the Statutory Audit of Narrative Reports?

This study addresses two potential ways of communicating an exclusion from a statutory audit of narratives, as recently proposed by auditors: (1) an explicit label at the page margin and (2) an appendix to the auditor’s report referencing unaudited information. We conduct an eye-tracking experiment and examine the impact of communicating such an exclusion from the audit on financial report users’ attention, understanding, and credit risk judgment in a lending-decision task. Our results show that the effect of the audit exclusion depends on whether users understand which pieces of information were left unaudited and on the amount of attention they pay to the unaudited information. Specifically, we predict and find that the label increases users’ attention to unaudited information and enhances their understanding of the audit exclusion. For an appendix to the auditor’s report, however, we cannot document similar results. Users subject to the appendix do not direct more attention to the unaudited information and even show a lower ability to distinguish audited from unaudited information. Furthermore, the amount of attention that users pay to the unaudited information and their degree of understanding of the audit exclusion have a direct influence on their credit risk assessment. The results of this study imply a potentially widened expectations gap due to audit exclusions and highlight the need for clear communication of the audit status of narratives.
Extreme sex-negativity: An examination of helplessness, hopelessness, and misattribution of blame among “Incel” multiple homicide offenders

Self-identified involuntary celibates, or “incels,” have congregated online in recent years as a way to discuss and promote a particular patriarchal and blatantly misogynist ideology that blames women, specifically, and feminist society, broadly, for the unmet sexual desires of men who feel entitled, based on gender, to sexual experiences. Thus, incel ideology is an obvious example of severe sex-negativity. While incel ideology is commonly filled with hate speech and threats of violence, there are very few, fortunately, who go on to commit extreme violence. The present study examines feelings of hopelessness and helplessness among seven incel offenders who committed or clearly attempted to commit multiple murder. Although these offenders invariably felt hopelessness and helplessness across major areas of life functioning, they grossly misattributed blame to women for their overall misery. Findings provide valuable insights into the psychology of an extreme form of sex-negativity that extends a mindset of revenge rape to pseudocommando-style mass murder.
Nutrient gradients simulate different adjustments of coral-algal symbiosis

Background: Eutrophication is one of the major causes of coral reef degradation but the effect of eutrophication on coral and its symbiont algae remains unclear, particularly for the larval stage of coral. In the present study, the physiological and transcriptomic responses of the larvae of an ecologically important scleractinian coral Pocillopora damicornis were analyzed after a 5-day exposure to elevated nitrate in order to assess the survival and adaptation of coral-algal symbiosis under elevated nutrients. Results: The results showed that multiple larval transcripts were significantly correlated with Symbiodiniaceae transcripts. The major differentially expressed transcripts in coral/Symbiodiniaceae included those responsible for energy synthesis/comsumption, nitrogen metabolism and stressor response. Slightly elevated nitrate concentration could in fact promote the health of coral meta-organism. With increase in nitrate concentrations, coral larvae showed significant stress response to maintain the coral-algal symbiosis and coral-algal symbiosis was impaired, while Symbiodiniaceae switched photosynthetic states for ATP synthesis, material transport and nitrogen metabolism for symbiosis maintenance under the control of the coral hosts.Conclusions: Our results suggest that adjustment of coral-algal symbiosis via coral control and a shift in Symbiodiniaceae photosynthetic states serves as the basis of coral meta-organism adaptation under eutrophication stresses. The larvae of P. damicornis and Symbiodiniaceae displayed different transcriptomic responses to nitrate enrichment. Coral larva meta-organism can adapt to moderately elevated nutrient concentration while extreme eutrophication can impair coral-algal symbiosis and affect coral larvae survival ultimately.
Reliability and validity of the Mandarin version of the Head and Neck Cancer-specific Supportive Care Needs (SCNS-HNC) scale

Background: This study aimed to translate the English version of the supportive care needs scale of head and neck cancer patients (SCNS-HNC) questionnaire into Mandarin and to test its reliability and validity.Methods: The Mandarin version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey Short-Form (SCNS-SF34) and SCNS-HNC scales were used to assess 206 patients with head and neck cancer in Chengdu, China. Among them, 51 patients were re-tested 2 or 3 days after the first survey. The internal consistency of the scale was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, the retest reliability of the scale was evaluated by retest correlation coefficient r, the structural validity of the scale was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis, and the ceiling and floor effects of the scale were evaluated.Results: The Mandarin version of the SCNS-HNC had Cronbach's alpha coefficients greater than 0.700 (0.737 ≤ 0.962) for all of the domains. Except for the psychological demand dimension (r=0.674) of the SCNS-SF34 scale, the retest reliability of the other domains was greater than 0.8. Three common factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 64.39%. Conclusions: The Mandarin version of the SCNS-HNC demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity and is able to measure the supportive care needs of Chinese patients with head and neck cancer.Clinical registration number: ChiCTR1900026635
The natural history of traumatic femur head necrosis after femoral neck fracture in children and adolescent: a retrospective case series of 64 patients

Background: The natural history of traumatic femur head necrosis (TFHN) after femoral neck fracture (FNF) in children and adolescent is relatively unknown and has never been specifically characterized. As we speculated, the natural history in such population would be poor and characterized as the high risk of femoral head collapse, hip deformity and degeneration in a short term. Methods: This retrospective case series enrolled 64 children and adolescent with TFHN who treated with observational treatment from 2000.1 to 2018.1. The primary outcomes, such as the progression of femoral head collapse, hip deformity (Stulberg classification) and hip degeneration (Tönnis grade), and their prognostic factors were analysed. Results: 42 males and 22 females with a mean age of 13 years (6-16 years), were included. A total of 28 hips (44%) showed unsatisfactory outcome and Twenty-five (39%) hips collapsed progressively during a mean follow-up of 48 months (24-203 months). Finally, 38 hips (59%) experienced hip deformity, 20 of them were class IV/V. 34 hips (53%) generally progressed to osteoarthritis, 14 of them were classified as grades II/III. The location of the lesion and the presence of lateral subluxation were found to be independently related to progression of femoral head collapse; however, the presence of lateral subluxation was the only independent risk factor of severe hip deformity and degeneration. Conclusion: TFHN in children and adolescent is a rapidly progressing disease with a poor natural history characterized by a high risk of femoral head collapse progression. If the lateral subluxation emerged, collapsed cases showed increasingly tendency towards severe hip deformity and degeneration.
Separation of Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds Contained in Coal Tar Absorption Oil Fraction by Solvent Extraction

コールタール吸収油留分を原料, メタノールあるいはテトラヒドロチオフェン-1,1-ジオキシド (スルホラン) の水溶液を溶媒として種々の条件 (溶媒中の水の組成等) を変化させて液液平衡関係 (分配係数, 分離の選択度) を実測し, 操作性 (2液相の分相, 溶媒の回収, 等) および分離性能について検討した。 いずれの条件においても含窒素複素環式化合物 (2,3-ベンゾピリジン (キノリン), 3,4-ベンゾビリジン (イソキノリン), 2,3-ベンゾピロール (ベンゾ [b] ピロール, インドール)) は芳香族炭化水素 (2-メチルナフタレン) に比較して選択的に抽出された。 抽出相における水の組成の増加とともに, 含窒素複素環式化合物および芳香族炭化水素の分配係数は減少し, 芳香族炭化水素に対する含窒素複素環式化合物の分離の選択度は増加した。 操作性および分離性能の双方において, スルホラン水溶液に比較してメタノール水溶液の方が抽出溶媒として優れていた。 このメタノール水溶液を溶媒とした場合の分配係数の実測値を用いて簡単な抽出分離計算を行った。 平衡段を多段化し原料相と溶媒相を向流に接触させることにより, 含窒素複素環式化合物の製品中における組成および収率は大きく向上する結果となり, 本分離法のプロセスとしての実行可能性を示した。
EPR experiment for a broadband quantum noise reduction in gravitational wave detectors

Squeezed states of light contribute to the reduction of quantum noise in gravitational-wave interferometers. This result, predicted by Caves in 1981, has been demonstrated by the main gravitational-wave detectors. The injection of phase-squeezed light only decreases quantum shot noise ﬂuctuations, improving the detector sensitivity in high-frequency band; the corresponding anti-squeezing, indeed, induces radiation pressure noise, increasing quantum noise in low-frequency band. This becomes important for near detector generation, where current low frequency noises, that cover the radiation pressure noise, will be reduced. To face this problem, the use of frequency dependent squeezing, obtained using a long external ﬁlter cavity, is planned. An alternative method, based on EPR experiment, can be used for the same purpose. It has the advantage to avoid further complex infrastructures required for the ﬁlter cavity. We propose a table-top experiment to test the broadband quantum noise reduction that can be obtained injecting entangled beams through the interferometer dark port. The conceptual design and the possible implementation in a small-scale suspended interferometer will be presented. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3554320 This beam, after being power-stabilized by a Mach Zehnder interferometer and mode-cleaned by a triangular cavity, is injected inside a degenerate OPO that produces the two entangled beams. This two beams will be both injected in a test cavity, the reﬂected squeezed beams will be separated and their squeezing level will be measured using the homodyne detection technique, using two local oscillators beams provided by the other two lasers. Auxiliary beams for length and phase control will be frequency-shifted using acousto-optic modulators.
Improving Port State Control (PSC) performance using a risk-based approach: an in-depth literature review

During the past decades the economic contribution of the maritime transportation to the shipping industry has been increased rapidly. This is a positive trend, but it entails many threats (e.g. human life loose, environmental threats, sea pollution etc.) for the shipping industry. Therefore, a wide range of maritime measures have been created with the aim to eliminate the safety threats. Among these measures are included the Port State Control (PSC) inspections. Since the signature of the Hague Memorandum in 1978, the Port State Control (PSC) constitutes a strategy, that is implemented worldwide, with the aim to foreflight the substandard ships. Considering the importance of the Port State Control (PSC) inspections, this is an in-depth literature review, which aims to identify the risk-based approaches that are proposed in the international literature for the improvement of the Port State Control (PSC) performance. In addition, this research aims to identify the factors that influence the (PSC) inspections based on the international literature. The sample of this literature review are 47 academic articles which have been published in high quality journals. A total of 28 papers identified which proposed risk-based approaches for the improvement of the Port State Control (PSC) inspections’ performance. Additionally, a total of 19 papers were identified which examined the factors that influence the Port State Control (PSC) performance. The research results, shown that most of the selected papers focus on the data driven Bayesian Networks (BN). Fewer studies have been published on other approaches such as on the Support Vector Machine (SVM) method, the Bayesian Networks (BN) and game mode and the K-nearest neighbor. As concerning the factors, which influence the Port State Control (PSC) inspections, the research results show that 17 out 19 researches, which examined in this Dissertation, focused on the following factors: the ship age, the ship flag, the inspection history and the classification society.
Learning Analytics Framework for Improving Performance to Students through Educational Virtual Worlds

This paper aims to demonstrate the ongoing work of developing a framework that will allows to improve performance to students. The framework combines use of the open source virtual worlds, the Sloodle module and a learning analytics tool, in order to facilitate the execution of the collaborative learning techniques and improved the performance to students through of analytics learning tool monitorization. This framework is still in the design phase and will later be tested in a classroom context. The target public will be students of the fifth year of basic education, with aim of improve the learning mathematics.
State-Aware Load Shedding From Input Event Streams in Complex Event Processing

In complex event processing (CEP), load shedding is performed to maintain a given latency bound during overload situations when there is a limitation on resources. However, shedding load implies degradation in the quality of results (QoR). Therefore, it is crucial to perform load shedding in a way that has the lowest impact on QoR. Researchers, in the CEP domain, propose to drop either events or partial matches (PMs) in overload cases. They assign utilities to events or PMs by considering either the importance of events or the importance of PMs but not both together. In this article, we combine these approaches where we propose to assign a utility to an event by considering both the event importance and the importance of PMs. We propose two load shedding approaches for CEP systems. The first approach drops events from PMs, while the second approach drops events from windows. We adopt a probabilistic model that uses the type and position of an event in a window and the state of a PM to assign a utility to an event. We, also, propose an approach to predict a utility threshold that is used to drop the required amount of events to maintain a given latency bound. By extensive evaluations on two real-world datasets and several representative queries, we show that, in the majority of cases, our load shedding approach outperforms state-of-the-art load shedding approaches, w.r. t. QoR.
Coupled Transport of Nitrate and Chloride in Soil Columns

Nitrate (NO3−) is known as one of the most common groundwater contaminants especially in areas exposed to high nitrogen input because of agricultural activity. Because the vadose zone is the pathway for contaminants into the groundwater, understanding the transport mechanism of NO3− in different soil types is required to generate information to prevent groundwater pollution. The objectives of this study were to examine the individual and coupled transport of NO3− and chloride (Cl−) and determine the effect of pore-water velocity on solute transport parameters under saturated flow conditions. Acrylic plastic columns (10 cm long and 10 cm inner diameter) were repacked with sand and loam. A pulse type input of 200 mL of three solutions (0.1 M CaCl2, 0.1 M Ca[NO3]2 and 0.1 M CaCl2-Ca[NO3]2 mixture) was individually applied to the soil columns. The CXTFIT program was used to determine the two region nonequilibrium model parameters from 32 breakthrough curves under four different pore-water velocities. The retardation factor and dispersion coefficient values for NO3− and Cl− from their individual and coupled transport increased with pore-water velocity. The mobile water content also increased with pore-water velocity for both anions. Nitrate and Cl− exhibited similar transport behavior. No differences were observed between their individual and coupled transport in both soils. The results obtained in this study showed that Cl− could be used to predict the mobility of NO3− in areas where NO3− is not suceptible to denitrification.
Research Review and Development Trends of Human Reliability Analysis Techniques

Human reliability analysis(HRA) methods are reviewed.The theoretical basis of human reliability analysis,human error mechanism,the key elements of HRA methods as well as the existing HRA methods,are respectively introduced and assessed.Their shortcomings,the current research hotspot and difficult problems are identified.Finally,it takes a close look at the trends of human reliability analysis methods.
The Influence of Adtrust (Trust In Advertising) on Current and Future Purchases of Consumers: A Study of Hair Products in Pakistan

With a vast range of choices available for products from low to high involvement, one of the factors to initiate a purchase is the product’s advertising technique, which can even go wasted if the potential consumers of the product lack trust in the information conveyed through its advertisement. This paper attempts to investigate the impact of consumer trust in advertising on purchase behavior of hair products (shampoos) in Pakistan, and aims to look at their relationship through the moderators of gender and age. The target population for the study is consumers of various shampoo brands available for use and being advertised in Pakistan. The sample comprises of 200 respondents belonging to different demographic categories from Karachi, where all the various forms of advertisement media are in function at large. Data was gathered through a structured questionnaire filled by the respondents, bearing 23 items related to the independent variable of Trust in Advertising and the dependent variable of Consumer Purchase Behavior (current and future purchase). After the analysis of data, the results showed that trust in advertising and purchase behavior have significant relationship with each other, but only the sub-variable of Affect bears significant impact on purchase behavior. With a vast range of product choices available from low to high involvement, product brands and advertising companies should take into account the trust factor at large, otherwise potential consumers of the product might become disloyal if they lack trust in the information conveyed through its advertisement
Research of porous silicon prepared by electrochemical method

Porous silicon(PS) was used as a new thermal insulating material in MEMS during last five years due to its low thermal conductivity (T_c). In this paper,porous silicon were prepared by electrochemical method and different structures and morphologies of porous silicon were prepared in double cell.Morphologies of porous silicon were observed by AFM.A simple and nondestructive method,micro-Raman technique,was applied to study the T_c of PS samples with different porosity and thickness prepared by electrochemical method.Within all the samples,it is found that PS with a porosity of 75% and thickness of 65μm presents the lowest T_c value which is 0.62W/m·K.Then,the T_c of porous silicon increases rapidly with decreasing porosity and thickness(when the thickness and porosity decrease to 9μm and 40%,the T_c increase to 25.32W/m·K).