Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Greedy adaptive Fano coding

In this paper, we propose a greedy technique for adaptive Fano coding, which is suitable for a wide range of applications, specially those in which memory constraints are tight. Our scheme has great potential in maximizing the output entropy, and thus has also indirect cryptographic implications. This paper includes the encoding and decoding algorithms, and the partitioning procedures suitable for the binary and r-ary schemes. It also includes a rigorous analysis of the properties of the algorithm. Empirical results demonstrate that our adaptive Fano scheme compresses marginally less than the adaptive Huffman scheme. In terms of speed, the former is faster in the compression phase and slower in the decompression phase. We also present the extension of the binary adaptive Fano coding method to multi-symbol code alphabets. We introduce the corresponding partitioning procedure, which deals with consecutive partitionings that satisfy the principles of Fano coding. To find the optimal partitioning, we propose a brute force algorithm that searches the entire space of all possible partitionings in O(m/sup r-1/) time. As opposed to this, we propose a greedy linear-time algorithm that finds a sub-optimal but accurate consecutive partitioning.
Effects of contrast strength training with elastic band program on sprint, jump, strength, balance and repeated change of direction in young female handball players

Maximal strength, power and his derivates (sprint, change of direction repeatedly and jump) are considered as major determinants of success in elite handball players. Contrast strength training with elastic band (CSTEB) program is form of resistance training, and may play an important method of training to improve this quality. This study examined the effects of 10-week contrast strength training with elastic band (CSTEB) program on physical performance in young female handball players. Thirty participants (age: 15.7 ± 0.3 years; body mass: 63.7 ± 3.7 kg; body height: 166.8 ± 3.8 cm; body fat: 26.9 ± 3.4; and Maturity-offset: 2.9 ± 0.3 years) were randomly assigned between experimental group (EG; n = 15) and control group (CG; n = 15). Two-way analyses of variance (group × time) were assessed for handgrip; back extensor; medicine ball throw; 30-m sprint times; Modiﬁed Illinois change-of-direction (Illinois-MT); four jump tests [(squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump with arms (CMJA) and five jump test (5JT)]; static (stork) and dynamic (Y balance) balance tests; and repeated sprint T-test (RSTT). The EG enhanced all strength performance [handgrip right, handgrip left, back extensor strength and medicine ball throw (p < 0.001)] compared to CG. The EG enhanced all sprint performance. The EG also improved performance in the Illinois-MT. All jump performance improved signiﬁcantly [SJ (p = 0.007), CMJ (p = 0.001) and CMJA (p = 0.001)] except 5JT in the EG. Of the same, 3 of 4 repeated sprint T-test scores [RSTT-Best-Time, RSTT-Mean-Time and RSTT-Total-Time] increased significantly in the EG relative to the CG. Conversely, there were no significant changes in balance performance between groups. It is concluded that 10-weeks of CSTEB improved physical performance (strength, sprint, change of direction, jump, and repeated change of direction) measures in young female handball players.
Magnesium supplementation and iron status among female students: The intervention study

Background Literature data indicate the benefit of magnesium (Mg) supplementation. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of short-term Mg supplementation on iron status in healthy female participants. Methods One hundred healthy female students of the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy participated the study during eleven intervention days. Students ingested Mg preparations with the same dose of the active substance. The analysis included the measurement of serum iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), total Mg (tMg), ionized Mg (iMg), complete blood count, met-, carboxyand oxy-haemoglobin (metHgb, COHgb, O2Hgb). Transferrin concentrations and percentage of transferrin saturation (SAT) were calculated manually. The association among the analyzed biochemical parameters was examined using polynomial regression. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used for the evaluation of interdependence between the analyzed parameters. Results A statistically significant trend for change in O2Hgb (%) by tertiles of iMg concentrations was found (P = 0.029). Serum tMg reached significant positive correlation with the SAT at concentration levels greater than 0.9 mmol/L, after 11 days of intervention (R2=0.116). Ionized Mg in a concentration higher than 0.6 mmol/L is positively correlated with SAT and serum Fe (R2=0.214; 0.199, respectively). PCA revealed variability of 64.7% for two axes after 11 days. Conclusions Mg supplementation leads to an improvement in the certain iron status parameters even in individuals with optimal levels of these indices. However, caution should be exercised when supplementing Mg, and laboratory monitoring of the interaction is required.
Modeling of Residual GNSS Station Motions through Meteorological Data in a Machine Learning Approach

Long-term Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) height residual time series contain signals that are related to environmental influences. A big part of the residuals can be explained by environmental surface loadings, expressed through physical models. This work aims to find a model that connects raw meteorological parameters with the GNSS residuals. The approach is to train a Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN) on 206 GNSS stations in central Europe, after which the resulting model is applied to 68 test stations in the same area. When comparing the Root Mean Square (RMS) error reduction of the time series reduced by physical models, and, by the TCN model, the latter reduction rate is, on average, 0.8% lower. In a second experiment, the TCN is utilized to further reduce the RMS of the time series, of which the loading models were already subtracted. This yields additional 2.7% of RMS reduction on average, resulting in a mean RMS reduction of 28.6% overall. The results suggests that a TCN, using meteorological features as input data, is able to reconstruct the reductions almost on the same level as physical models. Trained on the residuals, reduced by environmental loadings, the TCN is still able to slightly increase the overall reduction of variations in the GNSS station position time series.
Assessing dynamic risk factors in institutional settings using STABLE-2007

Assessing dynamic risk factors for persons who reside in an institution can be a challenge. Conceptualizing and scoring dynamic risk factors is more difficult when environments are restricted and opportunities for those being assessed to demonstrate changes in behaviour may be few and far between. Additionally, because dynamic risk measures rely partly on file information scoring is dependent on the training and backgrounds of the people who record information and their personal decisions as to what they consider important enough to include in records. This may mean that scoring under research conditions based only on file review does not reflect the reliability of the measure under clinical conditions. Despite these challenges the present paper argues that there is sufficient evidence to support the use of STABLE-2007 as a reliable and valid measure of dynamic risk factors in institutional settings under both clinical and research conditions. Tips are provided on how to conceptualize institutional behaviours in a manner relevant to dynamic risk factors and how to weigh historical versus more recent information. Finally, recommendations are made for implementing a thoughtful system of checks and balances relevant to the assessment process in institutional settings.
Estimation of Minimum Uncut Chip Thickness during Precision and Micro-Machining Processes of Various Materials—A Critical Review

Evaluation of the phenomena characterizing the chip decohesion process during cutting is still a current problem in relation to precision, ultra-precision, and micro-machining processes of construction materials. The reliable estimation of minimum uncut chip thickness is an especially challenging task since it directly affects the machining process dynamics and formation of a surface topography. Therefore, in this work a critical review of the recent studies concerning the determination of minimum uncut chip thickness during precision, ultra-precision, and micro-cutting is presented. The first part of paper covers a characterization of the precision, ultra-precision, and micro-cutting processes. In the second part, the analytical, experimental, and numerical methods for minimum uncut chip thickness estimation are presented in detail. Finally, a summary of the research results for minimum uncut chip thickness estimation is presented, together with conclusions and a determination of further research directions.
Hybrid Modulation for Dual-Active-Bridge Bidirectional Converter With Extended Power Range for Ultracapacitor Application

In order to actively control the power flow between the load and ultracapacitor, a dual-active-bridge converter can be utilized. Conventional phase-shift modulation (PSM) has difficulties in working with a wide range of source voltage levels and load power levels. In addition, a traditional PI controller does not provide satisfactory behavior as the relation between the control variable and output voltage is nonlinear. In this paper, a hybrid modulation scheme is proposed to extend the power range of operation from 100% to 16.67% instead of 100% to 58.33% that is achieved by conventional PSM. A feedback-linearized controller is also designed to achieve a better dynamic response under various load conditions. The details of the modulation principle and controller design are given, and the experimental results verify the proposed modulation and control scheme.
Genome-Wide In Silico Analysis and Expression Profiling of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Genes in Loquat, Apple, Peach, Strawberry and Pear

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) genes have multiple potential roles in plant metabolism such as regulation and accumulation of organic acids in fruits, movement of guard cells and stress tolerance, etc. However, the systematic identification and characterization of PEPC genes in Rosaceae species i.e., loquat, apple, peach, strawberry, and pear are yet to be performed. In present study, 27 putative PEPC genes (loquat 4, apple 6, peach 3, strawberry 9, and pear 5) were identified. To further investigate the role of those PEPC genes, comprehensive bioinformatics and expression analysis were performed. In bioinformatic analysis, the physiochemical properties, conserved domains, gene structure, conserved motif, phylogenetic and syntenic analysis of PEPC genes were performed. The result revealed that the PEPcase superfamily domain was conserved in all examined PEPC proteins. Most of the PEPC proteins were predicted to be localized in cytonuclear. Genomic structural and motif analysis showed that the exon and motif number of each PEPC gene ranged dramatically, from 8 to 20, and 7 to 10, respectively. Syntenic analysis indicated that the segmental or whole-genome duplication played a vital role in extension of PEPC gene family in Rosacea species. The Ka and Ks values of duplicated genes depicted that PEPC genes have undergone a strong purifying selection. Furthermore, the expression analysis of PEPC genes in root, mature leaf, stem, full-bloom flower, and ripened fruit of loquat, apple, peach, strawberry, and pear was performed. Some genes were differentially expressed in aforementioned plant tissues, signifying their role in plant metabolism. This study provides the first genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression profiling of PEPC gene family in Rosaceae species, and provides the foundation for further functional analysis.
Boosting perturbation-based iterative algorithms to compute the median string

The most competitive heuristics for calculating the median string are those that use perturbation-based iterative algorithms. Given the complexity of this problem, which under many formulations is NP-hard, the computational cost involved in the exact solution is not affordable. In this work, the heuristic algorithms that solve this problem are addressed, emphasizing its initialization and the policy to order possible editing operations. Both factors have a significant weight in the solution of this problem. Initial string selection influences the algorithm’s speed of convergence, as does the criterion chosen to select the modification to be made in each iteration of the algorithm. To obtain the initial string, we use the median of a subset of the original dataset; to obtain this subset, we employ the Half Space Proximal (HSP) test to the median of the dataset. This test provides sufficient diversity within the members of the subset while at the same time fulfilling the centrality criterion. Similarly, we provide an analysis of the stop condition of the algorithm, improving its performance without substantially damaging the quality of the solution. To analyze the results of our experiments, we computed the execution time of each proposed modification of the algorithms, the number of computed editing distances, and the quality of the solution obtained. With these experiments, we empirically validated our proposal.
The Effects of the Fascial Distortion Model on Chronic Hamstring Tightness

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine if a single treatment using The Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) significantly increases hamstring flexibility in patients with chronic hamstring tightness. Methods: Thirty participants with current chronic hamstring tightness and no current history of lower extremity injury received treatment with the FDM on their hamstrings appropriate to the distortion presented. The sit-and-reach test was used before and after treatment to determine hamstring flexibility. Summary statistics were calculated, and pre and post hamstring flexibility scores are outlined. Results: There was a significant difference from pre- to post-test (mean pre =40 cm, post= 47cm), representing a 15% increase in post treatment flexibility. All 30 participants increased their sit-and-reach scores following the application of FDM. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a single treatment with the FDM increased hamstring flexibility in a group of participants suffering from chronic hamstring tightness.
Design guidelines for reversed nested Miller compensation in three-stage amplifiers

The reversed nested Miller compensation technique applied to a three-stage operational amplifier is discussed in this paper and new and simple design equations, accurately predicting the loop-gain phase margin, are developed. Techniques for parasitic positive-zero cancellation are also investigated and compared. For this purpose, we found that using nulling resistors is unpractical. Instead, exploiting only one follower (either a voltage or a current one) in the compensation branch results to be more appropriate. Indeed, not only does it avoid any additional constraint on stage transconductance, but it also overcomes the inherent limitations incurred by voltage and current followers when used to compensate two-stage amplifiers. Post-layout simulations on a CMOS opamp using the parameters of a 0.35-/spl mu/m process are found to be in good agreement with the expected results.
Extraction and enrichment of features to improve complaint text classification performance

No Brasil, os cidadãos podem fazer denúncias de irregularidades na Administração Pública. A classificação dessas denúncias necessita de informações que não estão nos seus textos. O objetivo desse artigo é propor uma metodologia para a extração e enriquecimentos de informações identificadas nos textos das denúncias. Essa metodologia fornece como saída um conjunto de dados estruturados capazes de caracterizar as denúncias. Para validar a proposta, foi realizado um estudo de caso. O estudo demonstrou que a utilização dos dados estruturados possibilitou uma melhora no desempenho da classificação das denúncias.
Demystifying the Characteristics of High Bandwidth Memory for Real-Time Systems

The number of functionalities controlled by software on every critical real-time product is on the rise in domains like automotive, avionics and space. To implement these advanced functionalities, software applications increasingly adopt artificial intelligence algorithms that manage massive amounts of data transmitted from various sensors. This translates into unprecedented memory performance requirements in critical systems that the commonly used DRAM memories struggle to provide. High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) can satisfy these requirements offering high bandwidth, low power and high-integration capacity features. However, it remains unclear whether the predictability and isolation properties of HBM are compatible with the requirements of critical embedded systems. In this work, we perform to our knowledge the first timing analysis of HBM. We show the unique structural and timing characteristics of HBM with respect to DRAM memories and how they can be exploited for better time predictability, with emphasis on increased isolation among tasks and reduced worst-case memory latency.
Pelvic organ prolapse: a patient-centred perspective on what women encounter seeking diagnosis and treatment

The purpose of this study was to identify how pelvic organ prolapse (POP) impacts the lives of women, to understand the barriers and frustrations that women encounter in seeking diagnosis and intervention and to determine priorities consumers consider most important for future research and government action. Between May and November 2006, the National Association For Continence (NAFC) distributed a survey via the association's quarterly public newsletter, Quality Care. Surveys were completed and returned by 6.8% of the female readership who self-reported symptoms of POP. A total of 97 women agreed to participate in an in-depth telephone interview. Telephone contact was successfully made and interviews were completed by a single interviewer with one-third, or 33, of the 97 women. Respondents reported issues that limit quality of life including urinary and faecal incontinence, inability to enjoy sport and dissatisfaction with conservative management and surgical treatment. Respondents also reported difficulty in discussing symptoms with their doctors and a lack of recognition of the severity of POP by primary care physicians. In addition, adequate public health education and promotion on the subject is lacking, according to respondents. There is an identified need for health professionals to recognise the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of POP. In addition, there is a need to develop educational material for both primary care health professionals and consumers in order to encourage more open dialogue between providers and their patients on the subject. By identifying barriers and frustrations encountered in seeking diagnosis and intervention, the research findings also indicate the need for developing an instrument to assess consumer attempts to access diagnosis and intervention for POP.
QoE-Oriented Cooperative Broadcast Optimization for Vehicular Video Streaming

The popularity of online vehicular video has caused enormous information requests in Internet of vehicles (IoV), which brings huge challenges to cellular networks. To alleviate the pressure of base station (BS), Roadside Units (RSUs) and vehicle peers are introduced to collaboratively provide broadcast services to vehicle requesters where vehicles act as both service providers and service requesters. In this paper, we propose an efficient framework leveraging scalable video coding (SVC) technique to improve quality of experience (QoE) from two perspectives: (1) maximizing the data volume received by all requesters and (2) determining buffer action based on playback fluency and average playback quality. For (1), potential providers cooperate to determine the precached video content and delivery policy with the consideration of vehicular mobility and wireless channel status. If one provider fails, other sources will complement to provide requested content delivery. Therefore, their cooperation can improve the QoE and enhance the service reliability. For (2), according to buffer occupancy status, vehicle requesters manage buffer action whether to buffer new segments or upgrade the enhancement level of unplayed segment. Furthermore, the optimization of the data volume is formulated as an integer nonlinear programming (INLP) problem, which can be converted into some linear integer programming subproblems through McCormick envelope method and Lagrange relaxation. Numerical simulation results show that our algorithm is effective in improving total data throughput and QoE.
A Comparison of Deep Learning Architectures for Automatic Gender Recognition from Audio Signals

O reconhecimento de gênero a partir da fala é um problema relacionado à análise de fala humana, e possui diversas aplicações que vão desde a personalização na recomendação de produtos à ciência forense. A identificação da eficiência e custos de diferentes abordagens que lidam com esse problema é imprescindível. Este trabalho tem como foco investigar e comparar a eficiência e custos de diferentes arquiteturas de deep learning para o reconhecimento de gênero a partir da fala. Os resultados mostram que o modelo convolucional unidimensional consegue os melhores resultados. No entanto, constatou-se que o modelo fully connected apresentou resultados próximos com menor custo, tanto no uso de memória, quanto no tempo de treinamento.
Mutual Coupling Reduction in Circularly Polarized Array Using Decoupling Structure With Polarization Rotation Property

A novel decoupling structure with polarization rotation property (DSPR) has been proposed recently to reduce the mutual coupling between co-polarized and cross-polarized antennas. Its potential application for mutual coupling suppressing of circularly polarized (CP) antennas has been briefly demonstrated using cross dipoles with ideal CP feed networks. In this paper, we further investigate its ability for decoupling of CP antennas. The cross dipole is still used as array element yet with a practical wideband feed network. Due to the DSPR's ability of reducing the co-polarization and cross-polarization couplings simultaneously and equally well, the couplings between CP antennas can be effectively reduced. A $1\times 2$ CP antenna array and a $1\times 4$ CP antenna array with working band from 3.3-3.8 GHz are adopted as examples to illustrate the reduction effect to coupling of the proposed DSPR method. With the DSPR, the isolation levels between adjacent CP antenna elements are improved by 15 dB, besides, the axial ratio in the array is reduced from 3 dB to 1 dB.
Prognostic value of cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 in chronic heart failure

Emerging evidence suggests that cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 (CILP‐1) is associated with myocardial remodelling. However, the prognostic value of circulating CILP‐1 in patients with heart failure (HF) remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate whether circulating CILP‐1 can independently predict the outcome of chronic HF.