Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
K-Medoids For K-Means Seeding

We run experiments showing that algorithm clarans (Ng et al., 2005) finds better K-medoids solutions than the Voronoi iteration algorithm. This finding, along with the similarity between the Voronoi iteration algorithm and Lloyd's K-means algorithm, suggests that clarans may be an effective K-means initializer. We show that this is the case, with clarans outperforming other seeding algorithms on 23/23 datasets with a mean decrease over K-means++ of 30% for initialization mse and 3% or final mse. We describe how the complexity and runtime of clarans can be improved, making it a viable initialization scheme for large datasets.
Learning in Games: Neural Computations underlying Strategic Learning

The past decade has witnessed an unprecedented growth in our understanding of the brain basis of economic decision-making. In particular, research is uncovering not only the location of brain regions where certain processes are taking place, but also the nature of the (economically meaningful) latent variables that are represented, as well as how they relate to behavior. This transition from understanding where to how economic decisions are being made in the brain has been integral to relating neural processes to economic models of behavior. This progress, however, has been notably uneven. Neuroeconomic studies of individual decision-making, such as those involve risk and time preferences, have the benefit of drawing on decades of work from neuroscientific studies of animal behavior. Critically, many of these findings are based on quantitative, computational approach that lends well to economic experimentation. In contrast, our understanding of the neural systems underlying social behavior is much less specific. A large measure of the current challenge in fact arises from the empirical shortcomings of standard game theoretic predictions of behavior, which are largely equilibrium-based. Using our own study as an example, we show how one can directly search for the latent variables implied by current economic models of strategic learning, and attempt to localize them in the brain. Specifically, we show that the neural systems underlying strategic learning build directly on top of those involved in simple trial-and-error learning, but incorporate additional computations that capture belief-based learning. Finally, we discuss how our approach can be extended to address fundamental problems in economics. JEL Classification: C92, D83.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy as Treatments for Academic Procrastination

Objective: This study tested the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), compared with Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in alleviating academic procrastination. Method: A total of 60 (53.3% male) undergraduates suffering from academic procrastination were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (ACT and CBT) and a control group. The procrastination symptoms and related psychological mechanisms were assessed immediately after the closure of treatment and at 3-month follow-up (FU). Results: Both therapies showed remarkable short-term effects in decreasing procrastination, but ACT had a better long-term effect. Participants achieved self-esteem enhancement through treatment of both ACT and CBT. While ACT significantly decreased negative affect and improved neuroticism, CBT had a stronger effect on time management. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both CBT and ACT are effective interventions for procrastinators but may have different therapeutic mechanisms.
Diagnostic Evasion of Highly-Resistant Microorganisms: A Critical Factor in Nosocomial Outbreaks

Highly resistant microorganisms (HRMOs) may evade screening strategies used in routine diagnostics. Bacteria that have evolved to evade diagnostic tests may have a selective advantage in the nosocomial environment. Evasion of resistance detection can result from the following mechanisms: low-level expression of resistance genes not resulting in detectable resistance, slow growing variants, mimicry of wild-type-resistance, and resistance mechanisms that are only detected if induced by antibiotic pressure. We reviewed reports on hospital outbreaks in the Netherlands over the past 5 years. Remarkably, many outbreaks including major nation-wide outbreaks were caused by microorganisms able to evade resistance detection by diagnostic screening tests. We describe various examples of diagnostic evasion by several HRMOs and discuss this in a broad and international perspective. The epidemiology of hospital-associated bacteria may strongly be affected by diagnostic screening strategies. This may result in an increasing reservoir of resistance genes in hospital populations that is unnoticed. The resistance elements may horizontally transfer to hosts with systems for high-level expression, resulting in a clinically significant resistance problem. We advise to communicate the identification of HRMOs that evade diagnostics within national and regional networks. Such signaling networks may prevent inter-hospital outbreaks, and allow collaborative development of adapted diagnostic tests.
Paper-Based Microfluidic Devices: Emerging Themes and Applications.

Applications Yuanyuan Yang,† Eka Noviana,† Michael P. Nguyen,† Brian J. Geiss,‡ David S. Dandy, and Charles S. Henry*,†,§ †Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States ‡Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States ■ CONTENTS Fabrication 71 Hydrophobic/Solvent Barrier 72 Deposition 73 Flow and Injection Control 74 Three-Dimensional Devices 75 Incorporating Nonsensing Electrodes 75 Colorimetric Detection 75 Detectors and Readout 75 Reflectance-Based Measurement 75 Transmittance-Based Measurement 77 Instrument-Free Measurement 77 Biomedical Applications 77 Enzymatic Methods 77 Immunoassays 78 Other 79 Environmental Applications 79 Other Applications 80 Electrochemical Detection 80 Electrodes 80 Carbon Electrodes 81 Metallic Electrodes 81 Biological Applications 82 Glucose Sensors 82 Immunosensors 84 Other Examples 84 Environmental Applications 84 Other Technologies 85 Chemiluminescence and Electrochemiluminescence 85 Fluorescence 85 Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy 85 Separation 86 Preconcentration 86 Conclusions and Future Directions 87 Author Information 87 Corresponding Author 87 ORCID 87 Notes 87 Biographies 87 Acknowledgments 88 References 88
Finite Order Compensation of Non Linearities in DVB-S2 Communications

To improve the performance of a DVB-S2 communication channel, it is necessary to remove the non-linear interferences induced by the power amplifier. Due to the presence of filters in the channel, this non-linear interference is also interference with memory. One of the most used techniques to cancel out the interferences in this case is the order p compensation. The order p compensation can be mathematically described as a recursive algorithm. The non- linear interference is supposed to be smaller after each step of the algorithm. However this is not always the case and it is necessary to define upper bounds on the system to ensure convergence of the algorithm. Upper bounds were already defined for general nonlinear systems, but are however very inaccurate for the case of a DVB-S2 communication channel. In this paper, we will present two new methods to refine these upper bounds.
Direct Correlation of External Systolic Time Intervals with Internal Indices of Left Ventricular Function in Man

Direct correlation of externally measured systolic time intervals with internally measured indices was obtained using catheter-tip micromanometers in six patients who had normal coronary arteriograms. Simultaneous recordings were made of central aorta and left ventricular pressure, maximum rate of rise in left ventricular pressure (dp/dt), external carotid pulse, external and internal sound, and electrocardiogram. Acute interventions were used to vary the indices by a variety of mechanisms including changes in contractility, preload, afterload, and heart rate. The initial values and the changes in these values produced by acute interventions are identical for left ventricular ejection time (LVET) whether measured externally (range 175 to 385 msec) or internally (range 169 to 392), r = 0.99. Although the absolute values differed for internally measured isovolumic contraction time (internal ICT), externally measured ICT, and preejection time (PEP), there was good linear correlation between the changes observed in these values following the interventions. Changes in PEP and internal ICT showed excellent linear correlation (r = 0.94) and were also alike in absolute value following the interventions. The interval from the Q wave of the electrocardiogram to rise in left ventricular pressure (electrical-mechanical delay) did not change significantly during these interventions. During a period of spontaneous isorhythmic dissociation there was close tracking between beat-to-beat changes in PEP and internal ICT and between externally and internally measured LVET. Following acute interventions PEP and left ventricular dp/dt changed inversely.Externally measured systolic time intervals have therefore been shown in man to correlate well with directly measured internal indices, both in steady-state conditions and during a series of acute interventions. This convenient and atraumatic method has been shown to be a valid and sensitive measure of myocardial performance.
Fast model selection for MaxMinOver-based training of support vector machines

OneClassMaxMinOver (OMMO) is a simple incremental algorithm for one-class support vector classification. We propose several enhancements and heuristics for improving model selection, including the adaptation of well-known techniques such as kernel caching and the evaluation of the feasibility gap. Furthermore, we provide a framework for optimising grid search based model selection that compromises of preinitialisation, cache reuse, and optimal path selection. Finally, we derive simple heuristics for choosing the optimal grid search path based on common benchmark datasets. In total, the proposed modifications improve the runtime of model selection significantly while they are still simple and adaptable to a wide range of incremental support vector algorithms.
Immigration to Ghana

Abstract The globalization of international labor migration is manifest in all countries now engaging in migration systems that are growing in size and complexity and producing an increasing diversity of flows. Furthermore, many of the processes that create and drive these systems operate on a worldwide basis, the consequence of economic globalization, capital mobility and widespread realization by governments that human resources can be traded for profit like any other resource. This paper looks at Ghana's immigration policy in the light of its economic situation. It characterizes Ghana's immigration policy as geared towards using immigration to attract critical foreign investment, transfer of technology and human resource capital/skills for socio-economic development. Running concurrently is the policy to prevent illegal immigration, transnational crime, economic exploitation, social corruption and human trafficking. The paper concludes that when the economic situation of Ghana was buoyant in the 1960s it attracted many immigrants especially from neighboring West African countries, however when the country's economy saw a down turn, immigrants were used as a convenient scapegoat and many were expelled. The irony though is that while the current poor economic situation of Ghana has made Ghanaians to immigrate to other countries, the political stability of the country does attract other West Africans and non-Africans and it is affording the country the opportunity to streamline its immigration and citizenship laws.
Pattern Discovery in Gene Expression Data

Microarray technology provides an opportunity to monitor mRNA levels of expression of thousands of genes simultaneously in a single experiment. The enormous amount of data produced by this high throughput approach presents a challenge for data analysis: to extract meaningful patterns, to evaluate its quality and to interpret the results. The most commonly used method of identifying such patterns is cluster analysis. Common and sufficient approaches to many data-mining problems, e.g. Hierarchical, K-means, do not address well the properties of “typical” gene expression data and fail, in significant ways, to account for its profile. This chapter clarifies some of the issues and provides a framework to evaluate clustering in gene expression analysis. Methods are categorised explicitly in the context of application to data of this type, providing a basis for reverse engineering of gene regulation networks. Finally, areas for possible future development are highlighted.
Experiences of transgender-related discrimination and implications for health: results from the Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Study.

OBJECTIVES We examined relationships between social determinants of health and experiences of transgender-related discrimination reported by transgender people in Virginia. METHODS In 2005 through 2006, 387 self-identified transgender people completed a statewide health needs assessment; 350 who completed eligibility questions were included in this examination of factors associated with experiences of discrimination in health care, employment, or housing. We fit multivariate logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations to adjust for survey modality (online vs paper). RESULTS Of participants, 41% (n = 143) reported experiences of transgender-related discrimination. Factors associated with transgender-related discrimination were geographic context, gender (female-to male spectrum vs male-to-female spectrum), low socioeconomic status, being a racial/ethnic minority, not having health insurance, gender transition indicators (younger age at first transgender awareness), health care needed but unable to be obtained (hormone therapy and mental health services), history of violence (sexual and physical), substance use health behaviors (tobacco and alcohol), and interpersonal factors (family support and community connectedness). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that transgender Virginians experience widespread discrimination in health care, employment, and housing. Multilevel interventions are needed for transgender populations, including legal protections and training for health care providers.
Reduction of muscle larvae burden in rats experimentally infected with Trichinella spiralis.

In Wistar rats infected with 500 to 2,500 Trichinella spiralis larvae the muscle larvae intensity (larvae per gram-l.p.g.) was measured from 20 to 180 day post infection (d.p.i). The l.p.g. increased to day 40-50 p.i. and decreased thereafter. The highest reduction took place between 60 and 120 d.p.i. with intermediate inoculum of T. spiralis larvae. The mechanism of the reduction of T. spiralis larvae in muscles is suggested to depend on pericapsular-intercapsular host cells infiltrations attracted by parasite antigens.
Research plans for developing a L-band wind retrieval model function by using ALOS/PALSAR

Wind fields are modified drastically in the coastal zone and have a large impact on human activities such as sea traffic and leisure, so that understanding of coastal wind fields is required. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a unique tool, which can detect a wind speed map in near-coastal areas. Recently our group has established the L-band model function by comparing huge SAR-measured NRCS derived from JERS- 1/SAR with buoy and scatterometer-estimated winds. It, however, does not take account of incidence angle dependency due to constrain of the JERS-1 operation. Authors plan to develop the L-band model function with the incidence angle dependency by acquiring ALOS/PALSAR data by design. The improved model function will be useful for radiometric calibration of future L-band SAR as well as PALSAR.
Functional notation and lazy evaluation in Ciao

Certain aspects of functional programming provide syntactic convenience, such as having a designated implicit output argument, which allows function cali nesting and sometimes results in more compact code. Functional programming also sometimes allows a more direct encoding of lazy evaluation, with its ability to deal with infinite data structures. We present a syntactic functional extension of Prolog covering function application, predefined evaluable functors, functional definitions, quoting, and lazy evaluation. The extension is also composable with higher-order features. We also highlight the Ciao features which help implementation and present some data on the overhead of using lazy evaluation with respect to eager evaluation.
Insulin receptor substrate-2 maintains predominance of anabolic function over catabolic function of osteoblasts

Insulin receptor substrates (IRS-1 and IRS-2) are essential for intracellular signaling by insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), anabolic regulators of bone metabolism. Although mice lacking the IRS-2 gene (IRS-2 −/− mice) developed normally, they exhibited osteopenia with decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption. Cultured IRS-2 − / − osteoblasts showed reduced differentiation and matrix synthesis compared with wild-type osteoblasts. However, they showed increased receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) expression and osteoclastogenesis in the coculture with bone marrow cells, which were restored by reintroduction of IRS-2 using an adenovirus vector. Although IRS-2 was expressed and phosphorylated by insulin and IGF-I in both osteoblasts and osteoclastic cells, cultures in the absence of osteoblasts revealed that intrinsic IRS-2 signaling in osteoclastic cells was not important for their differentiation, function, or survival. It is concluded that IRS-2 deficiency in osteoblasts causes osteopenia through impaired anabolic function and enhanced supporting ability of osteoclastogenesis. We propose that IRS-2 is needed to maintain the predominance of bone formation over bone resorption, whereas IRS-1 maintains bone turnover, as we previously reported; the integration of these two signalings causes a potent bone anabolic action by insulin and IGF-I.
Total hip replacement: patient satisfaction and early outcomes.

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to assess patient satisfaction with their healthcare experience, total hip replacement outcome, compliance with post operative rehabilitation and consenting process effectiveness. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A consecutive sample of patients between January 2007 and September 2008 was identified. A novel questionnaire was designed to assess outcomes and applied via phone interview by an independent assessor. FINDINGS All patients recalled the consenting/education process with a high proportion recalling surgical risks/benefits. Overall satisfaction was good or better in 76 per cent of the cohort. Post-operative compliance with the rehabilitation programme in 70 per cent of the cohort was achieved. Walking, as the surrogate functional marker, was deemed good or better in 76 per cent. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The education process and a purposefully designed booklet helped educate patients. Those dissatisfied with physiotherapy generally underwent surgery late in the week and were assessed/treated by the emergency physiotherapy service. Consequently, full-time weekend physiotherapy for arthroplasty patients was implemented. ORIGINALITY/VALUE Results revealed a high-volume treatment centre with outcomes comparable to international standards. A potential problem with physiotherapy cover was identified and the loop closed.
Profiling bacterial diversity in a limestone cave of the western Loess Plateau of China

Bacteria and archaea sustain subsurface cave ecosystems by dominating primary production and fueling biogeochemical cyclings, despite the permanent darkness and shortage of nutrients. However, the heterogeneity and underlying mechanism of microbial diversity in caves, in particular those well connect to surface environment are largely unexplored. In this study, we examined the bacterial abundance and composition in Jinjia Cave, a small and shallow limestone cave located on the western Loess Plateau of China, by enumerating and pyrosequencing small subunit rRNA genes. The results clearly reveal the contrasting bacterial community compositions in relation to cave habitat types, i.e., rock wall deposit, aquatic sediment, and sinkhole soil, which are differentially connected to the surface environment. The deposits on the cave walls were dominated by putative cave-specific bacterial lineages within the γ-Proteobacteria or Actinobacteria that are routinely found on cave rocks around the world. In addition, sequence identity with known functional groups suggests enrichments of chemolithotrophic bacteria potentially involved in autotrophic C fixation and inorganic N transformation on rock surfaces. By contrast, bacterial communities in aquatic sediments were more closely related to those in the overlying soils. This is consistent with the similarity in elemental composition between the cave sediment and the overlying soil, implicating the influence of mineral chemistry on cave microhabitat and bacterial composition. These findings provide compelling molecular evidence of the bacterial community heterogeneity in an East Asian cave, which might be controlled by both subsurface and surface environments.
Fusing multiple sensors information into mixed reality-based user interface for robot teleoperation

Mixed Reality commonly refers to the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new visualization environments where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. Mixed Reality can also be used for fusing sensor data into the existing user interface to efficiently improve situation awareness, to facilitate the understanding of surrounding environment, and to predict the future status. The work presented in this paper fuses and then represents the real video and complementary information into one single Mixed Reality interface. A simulation platform to test the Mixed Reality interface for teleoperation is also discussed in this paper.
Atividade física e desempenho em tarefas de funções executivas em idosos saudáveis: dados preliminares

CONTEXTO: A atividade fisica parece exercer um efeito positivo sobre varios processos cognitivos em idosos. Entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre o impacto da atividade fisica sequencial, como a danca, sobre as funcoes executivas dos idosos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relacao entre o tipo de atividade fisica praticada e o desempenho em tarefas de funcoes executivas em idosos. METODOS: Participaram do estudo 35 idosos entre 60 e 69 anos de idade. O grupo controle (GC) foi composto por idosos sedentarios; o grupo ativos (GA) foi composto por idosos praticantes de atividade fisica; o grupo danca (GD) foi composto por idosos praticantes de atividade fisica identica ao GA acrescido da pratica de danca senior. Apos uma triagem inicial, todos os participantes foram submetidos a testes de funcoes executivas. RESULTADOS: Comparado aos demais grupos, o GD apresentou melhor desempenho em termos de (1) planejamento, medida essa observada no teste da Torre de Londres e (2) controle inibitorio, por meio do teste de Stroop. CONCLUSOES: Os resultados preliminares encontrados sugerem uma especificidade da atividade fisica sobre o desempenho de determinadas funcoes executivas. A perspectiva e de que com uma maior amostra esses achados sejam mantidos.