Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Googling answers ’ models in question-focused summarisation

This paper describes the techniques used for our system participating in the Document Understanding Conference 2006. We describe a new system, built from scratch, that focuses primarily on collecting models of possible answers for each question from the Internet, and applying those models to select the answer sentences from the documents in the collection. The system performed averagely in the manual evaluation done by NIST.
On the effects of moisture in a polyurethane shape memory polymer

It was observed that the polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) loses its shape fixing capability after being exposed in the air at room temperature for several days. A significant indication for this change is the continuous decrease of the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polyurethane. Accompanying the decrease of Tg, the uniaxial tensile behaviour also changes. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests were carried out to find the cause behind this phenomenon. Moisture was concluded as the main reason. A mathematical expression was obtained for the relationship between Tg and the moisture. Moreover, the polyurethane shape memory polymer can fully regain its original properties after being heated at temperatures above 180 °C, which is the melting temperature of this SMP.
Informon - An Emergent Conscious Component

This article deals with a conscious entity being the building block of conscious systems. Such an informational entity is called informon, with its local and global function. The idea of informon as a conscious unit roots in the property of a sufficient complexity and learning capabilities, realized by different sorts of informational interpretation, formalism, general and metaphysicalistic decomposition concerning informon. Emotional and cognitive informons show the complexity, intention, and capability of consciously, sub-consciously, and self-consciously autonomous entities informing within a conscious system.
The Effects of Different Data Base Formats on Information Retrieval

This research examined the effects of three different data base formats on the information retrieval performance of users. Spatial, tabular, and verbal forms of two data base domains (airline and thesaurus) were constructed, along with questions that required users to search through the data base to determine the correct response. Three types of questions were designed — spatial, tabular, and verbal. The data indicate that users are faster and more accurate in responding to the questions when the format of the information in the data base matches the type of information needed to answer the question. While the importance of matching data base format to query type may seem to be obvious, it would appear that the designers of most current data base systems have not taken this into account.
Scalable modeling of thermal dynamics in buildings using fuzzy rules for regression

The reduction of energy consumption in buildings is one of the goals to improve energy efficiency. One way to achieve energy savings in buildings is to develop intelligent control heating strategies that are able to reduce the power consumption by predicting the behavior of the thermal dynamics under different control schemes. One way to accomplish this is by means of learning fuzzy rules using the data collected from different sensors installed in buildings to generate regression models that are accurate and interpretable, so the generated models can be understood by the experts who approve the energy-saving schemes. However, one important issue is the generation of accurate knowledge bases of fuzzy rules for regression that can scale with the large amount of information generated by the many sensors installed in buildings, which will continue to grow in the coming years. For this purpose, in this paper we evaluate the scalability of two genetic fuzzy systems, FRULER and S-FRULER in the domain of thermal dynamics in buildings, using real data from a residential college at the USC.
Changes in Left Ventricular Performance from Early after Acute Myocardial Infarction to the Convalescent Phase By SHAHBUDIN

Left ventricular performance was assessed in 22 patients early (within the first 2 days) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and again during the convalescent phase (3-5 weeks later). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) fell from the early to the late study by an average of 10.7 mm Hg in the 12 (55%) group A patients. In these patients, cardiac index (CI) and left ventricular stroke work (LVSW) increased by an average of 0.65 liters/min/m2 and 63.8 g-m, respectively, and the mean right atrial pressure fell by 2.4 mm Hg. These changes were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Left ventricular (LV) function was improved in this group of patients. LVEDP increased in the other 10 patients and they were subdivided into groups B and C depending on whether CI increased or decreased. In six patients (27%), LVEDP increased by 5 mm Hg and CI increased by 0.4 liters/min/m2 (group B); the P value for these changes was <0.05. Group B patients also had an increase of mean arterial pressure and left ventricular ejection time, and thus the alterations in LVEDP and CI could have resulted from an increase of arterial pressure. In four patients (18%), LVEDP increased by 11.5 mm Hg, CI decreased by 0.9 liter/min/m2, and LVSW was reduced by 34.5 g-m (group C). Although the decreases of CI and LVSW were not statistically significant in group C patients, LV function had deteriorated. In the follow-up period, three of the four patients in group C died and the fourth patient is in functional class IV. Therefore, in the convalescent period ventricular function had improved in 55%, and had deteriorated in 18% of cases. The changes in LV function could not have been predicted on the basis of the clinical features, systolic time intervals, or the initial hemodynamic findings. Patients whose ventricular function deteriorated during convalescence had a very poor prognosis.
Identification of APOBEC3DE as Another Antiretroviral Factor from the Human APOBEC Family

ABSTRACT A tandem arrayed gene cluster encoding seven cytidine deaminase genes is present on human chromosome 22. These are APOBEC3A, APOBEC3B, APOBEC3C, APOBEC3DE, APOBEC3F, APOBEC3G, and APOBEC3H. Three of them, APOBEC3G, APOBEC3F, and APOBEC3B, block replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and many other retroviruses. In addition, APOBEC3A and APOBEC3C block intracellular retrotransposons and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), respectively. In opposition to APOBEC genes, HIV-1 and SIV contain a virion infectivity factor (Vif) that targets APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G for polyubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation. Herein, we studied the antiretroviral activities of the human APOBEC3DE and APOBEC3H. We found that only APOBEC3DE had antiretroviral activity for HIV-1 or SIV and that Vif suppressed this antiviral activity. APOBEC3DE was encapsidated and capable of deaminating cytosines to uracils on viral minus-strand DNA, resulting in disruption of the viral life cycle. Other than GG-to-AG and AG-to-AA mutations, it had a novel target site specificity, resulting in introduction of GC-to-AC mutations on viral plus-strand DNA. Such mutations have been detected previously in HIV-1 clinical isolates. In addition, APOBEC3DE was expressed much more extensively than APOBEC3F in various human tissues and it formed heteromultimers with APOBEC3F or APOBEC3G in the cell. From these studies, we concluded that APOBEC3DE is a new contributor to the intracellular defense network, resulting in suppression of retroviral invasion.
Seeding Statistical Machine Translation with Translation Memory Output through Tree-Based Structural Alignment

With the steadily increasing demand for high-quality translation, the localisation industry is constantly searching for technologies that would increase translator throughput, with the current focus on the use of high-quality Statistical Machine Translation (SMT) as a supplement to the established Translation Memory (TM) technology. In this paper we present a novel modular approach that utilises state-of-the-art sub-tree alignment to pick out pre-translated segments from a TM match and seed with them an SMT system to produce a final translation. We show that the presented system can outperform pure SMT when a good TM match is found. It can also be used in a Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) environment to present almost perfect translations to the human user with markup highlighting the segments of the translation that need to be checked manually for correctness.
Multilingual and Cross-Lingual Complex Word Identification

Complex Word Identification (CWI) is an important task in lexical simplification and text accessibility. Due to the lack of CWI datasets, previous works largely depend on Simple English Wikipedia and edit histories for obtaining ‘gold standard’ annotations, which are of doubtable quality, and limited only to English. We collect complex words/phrases (CP) for English, German and Spanish, annotated by both native and non-native speakers, and propose language independent features that can be used to train multilingual and cross-lingual CWI models. We show that the performance of cross-lingual CWI systems (using a model trained on one language and applying it on the other languages) is comparable to the performance of monolingual CWI systems.
Assessing exposure to airborne nanomaterials: Current abilities and future requirements

For over half a century, health-related aerosol exposure measurements have been characterized in terms of the mass of material present per unit volume of air. Yet recent research has challenged the applicability of this paradigm to airborne nanometer-scale particles (nanoparticles) and nanometer-structured particles (nanostructured particles). By classifying engineered nanoparticles into categories based on physical/chemical structure, and relating these categories to health impact-relevant attributes, we have explored the applicability of different physical exposure metrics to a range of particle class/attribute combinations. Using this approach, it is clear that no single method for monitoring nanoaerosol exposure will suit all nanomaterials. Rather, there will be occasions where particle number, surface area and even mass concentration measurements will play an important role in evaluating potential impact. Correspondingly, currently available techniques to measure exposure against these three metrics are reviewed. While current methods enable aerosol concentration to be evaluated against all three metrics, most techniques are inappropriate for making routine personal exposure measurements on a regular basis. We therefore explore the idea of a universal aerosol monitor, which would enable personal exposure measurements to be collected for all three metrics simultaneously, while being inexpensive enough to encourage widespread use. Such a device would provide an economical and adaptable solution to monitoring exposure to nanostructured aerosols, as both the materials and information on the potential risks they present are developed.
Changes in Collagen Types During the Healing of Rabbit Tooth Extraction Wounds

Three α chains of type V collagen - α1(V), α2(V), and α3(V)- were initially demonstrated together with the expected collagen types I and III in the pepsin-soluble fraction of both normal mandibular bone and tooth extraction wound tissues of rabbits, as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. The total collagen content of each extraction wound, as determined by the hydroxyproline assay, was observed to increase continuously from day 5 through day 17 and then leveled off or decreased. The ratio of type V to type I collagen was significantly higher in the initial stage of wound healing and decreased sharply down to the level of mandibular bone by day 5. The ratio of type III to type I collagen in the pepsin-soluble fraction increased and reached a maximum on day 5, whereas it was maximal on day 7 in the cyanogen bromide-soluble fraction, and thereafter decreased gradually in both fractions. The ratio for the pepsin-soluble fraction was, however, significantly higher than that for the cyanogen bromide-soluble fraction in the early stage of wound healing.
Minimizing Power Consumption of Spatial Division Based Networks-on-Chip Using Multi-path and Frequency Reduction

With an increasing number of processing elements being integrated on a single die, networks-on-chip (NoCs) are emerging as a significant contributor to overall chip power consumption. While some solutions have been proposed to reduce this power consumption, none of them can be applied to spatial division multiplexing (SDM)-based NoCs. In this paper, we introduce a method to minimize the power consumption of an SDM-based NoC by frequency minimization, while still satisfying the bandwidth requirements. The problem is integrated with the connection-routing problem which is modeled as a mixed-integer quadratic constrained problem (MIQCP). However, solving this MIQCP formulation directly using existing solvers is infeasible for large use-cases. We propose a two-step approach by first computing the minimum feasible frequency for the entire network taking bandwidth of all connections into consideration. This first step reduces the frequency-minimization-routing MIQCP problem into a routing-only mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem. In the second step, this MILP problem is solved using a standard ILP solver. Two other techniques are proposed to solve the routing and frequency minimization problem. Experiments are performed with synthetic examples and a case-study with JPEG decoder to evaluate the performance and results of the three methods. MILP-based approach achieves up to 55% power reduction as compared to the other methods albeit at the cost of higher execution time.
Where does this code come from and where does it go? — Integrated code history tracker for open source systems

When we reuse a code fragment in an open source system, it is very important to know the history of the code, such as the code origin and evolution. In this paper, we propose an integrated approach to code history tracking for open source repositories. This approach takes a query code fragment as its input, and returns the code fragments containing the code clones with the query code. It utilizes publicly available code search engines as external resources. Based on this model, we have designed and implemented a prototype system named Ichi Tracker. Using Ichi Tracker, we have conducted three case studies. These case studies show the ancestors and descendents of the code, and we can recognize their evolution history.
Unbiased estimates for linear regression via volume sampling

Given a full rank matrix $X$ with more columns than rows, consider the task of estimating the pseudo inverse $X^+$ based on the pseudo inverse of a sampled subset of columns (of size at least the number of rows). We show that this is possible if the subset of columns is chosen proportional to the squared volume spanned by the rows of the chosen submatrix (ie, volume sampling). The resulting estimator is unbiased and surprisingly the covariance of the estimator also has a closed form: It equals a specific factor times $X^{+\top}X^+$. Pseudo inverse plays an important part in solving the linear least squares problem, where we try to predict a label for each column of $X$. We assume labels are expensive and we are only given the labels for the small subset of columns we sample from $X$. Using our methods we show that the weight vector of the solution for the sub problem is an unbiased estimator of the optimal solution for the whole problem based on all column labels. We believe that these new formulas establish a fundamental connection between linear least squares and volume sampling. We use our methods to obtain an algorithm for volume sampling that is faster than state-of-the-art and for obtaining bounds for the total loss of the estimated least-squares solution on all labeled columns.
Clinical risk management approach for long-duration space missions.

INTRODUCTION In the process of crewmember evaluation and certification for long-duration orbital missions, the International Space Station (ISS) Multilateral Space Medicine Board (MSMB) encounters a surprisingly wide spectrum of clinical problems. Some of these conditions are identified within the ISS Medical Standards as requiring special consideration, or as falling outside the consensus Medical Standards promulgated for the ISS program. METHODS To assess the suitability for long-duration missions on ISS for individuals with medical problems that fall outside of standards or are otherwise of significant concern, the MSMB has developed a risk matrix approach to assess the risks to the individual, the mission, and the program. The goal of this risk assessment is to provide a more objective, evidence- and risk-based approach for aeromedical disposition. Using a 4 x 4 risk matrix, the probability of an event is plotted against the potential impact. Event probability is derived from a detailed review of clinical and aerospace literature, and based on the best available evidence. The event impact (consequences) is assessed and assigned within the matrix. RESULTS The result has been a refinement of MSMB case assessment based on evidence-based data incorporated into a risk stratification process. This has encouraged an objective assessment of risk and, in some cases, has resulted in recertification of crewmembers with medical conditions which hitherto would likely have been disqualifying. CONCLUSIONS This paper describes a risk matrix approach developed for MSMB disposition decisions. Such an approach promotes objective, evidence-based decision-making and is broadly applicable within the aerospace medicine community.
Real-time identification of heart rate responses via auxiliary-model-based damped RLS scheme

This study was devoted to developing a new auxiliary-model-based damped recursive least squares (AMB-DRLS) by which the heart rate dynamics can be identified in a real-time manner. Unlike the current conventional schemes for heart rate dynamics modeling, the proposed scheme can simultaneously identify the HR response dynamics and compensate for the existing HR variability while it can also cope with the blowup phenomenon. The performance of the proposed AMB-DRLS scheme was experimentally verified using fifteen healthy male participants who performed treadmill trials following single-cycle square wave protocol. The obtained results revealed a significant difference in goodness-of-fit for the considered parameter estimation schemes. As a result, we conclude that the proposed AMB-DRLS method is able to identify the heart rate response dynamics in a real-time manner while preventing the blowup phenomenon.
S100A1, a new marker for acute myocardial ischemia.

The Ca(2+)-binding S100A1 protein displays a specific and differential expression in the human myocardium and is considered to be an important regulator of heart function. Because of its high expression levels in the heart we tested the performance of S100A1 as a diagnostic indicator of acute myocardial damage. Therefore, we established a S100A1-specific sandwich ELISA and determined the S100A1 plasma levels in patients with signs of acute myocardial ischemia. The concentration-time course of S100A1 was distinct from that of the "classical" biochemical markers, CK, CKMB, and troponin I, showing an early rise and a fast decline in plasma after the ischemic event. We suggest that S100A1 should be included in combinatorial measurements as an early diagnostic marker for ischemic coronary diseases.
Influence of vapor annealing on the thermoelectric properties of electrodeposited Bi_2Te_3

This research investigates the combination of electrochemical deposition and postdeposition vapor annealing as a method for the fabrication of Bi_2Te_3 layers. The galvanostatic deposition of Bi_2Te_3 thin films is characterized as a function of electrolyte composition and deposition-current density. Material with near-stoichiometric composition can be synthesized from electrolytes containing 20 mM Te and 30 mM Bi ions and a deposition-current density of 3.75 mA/cm^2. All deposited samples show n-type behavior with Seebeck coefficients around −55 μV/K. An equilibrium annealing process in Te atmosphere is used to readjust the composition of the material after the deposition, consistently leading to tellurium-rich Bi_2Te_3 with a Te content of 60.4 ± 0.4 at%. At a temperature of 250 °C, an annealing duration of 60 h is sufficient for the material properties to reach a steady state, with a Seebeck coefficient of −130 μV/K.
A new, simple, “universal”, low cost LED driver and controller

In this paper, a new LED driver and its controller are conceived, realized and experimentally validated. It presents several advantages compared with the existing counterparts: First it uses a single converter while most of the existing drivers are based on a two-converter architecture. In the proposed approach, the average current through the LED is directly regulated. The proposed driver is built around a “Sepic” converter because it allows lowering and raising of the battery voltage and, has the lowest number of components compared to “Inverter”, “Zeta” or “Flyback”, necessitating an input filter to meet the required disturbance standards. Compared to “Cuk”, with a Sepic, constraints on the voltage across the capacitor in series are weaker and, the implementation of detection of current through the LED requires fewer components. Moreover, in the proposed architecture the two inductor of the sepic are coupled which along with a very fast current mode control of the internal loop, results to a simpler transfer function. A PI controller is designed and its performance and robustness are experimentally verified for different converters.
Adaptive filtering algorithms for channel equalization and echo cancellation

In this paper, we will be addressing the major concerns in telecommunication nowadays which are channel equalization and echo cancellation using different adaptive algorithms in order to identify the most efficient methodology. There are a number of conventional algorithms available in literature and every algorithm has its own properties, however the aim of every adaptive algorithm is to achieve minimum mean square error at a high rate of convergence and with less complexity. The experimental results prove that Least Mean Square algorithm (LMS) is the best for channel equalization and Recursive Least Square (RLS) is most efficient for echo cancellation. Moreover, LMS algorithms work efficiently in case of stochastic processes and on the contrary RLS is good for deterministic signals.
New α2-Adrenergic Blocker (DG-5128) Improves Insulin Secretion and In Vivo Glucose Disposal in NIDDM Patients

Effects of oral administration of DG-5128, a new oral hypoglycemic agent, on glycemic control after a mixed meal and an in vivo glucose disposal were measured in subjects with nonobese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Oral administration of DG-5128 significantly (P < .05) enhanced insulin secretion both 30 and 60 min after a mixed meal (550 kcal), with a concomitant decrease in postprandial plasma glucose levels at 60 and 120 min. Glucose disposal rate between the 2nd and 4th h of a euglycemic insulin clamp, developed through a constant infusion of insulin (0.77 mil · kg−1 · min−1) together with somatostatin (80 ng · kg−1 · min−1), was 2.5-fold higher in a DG-5128-treated group (P < .01) than in a control group. However, there was no difference between the two groups in either plasma glucose concentration or plasma insulin concentration at either the 2nd or the 4th h. These results indicate that DG-5128 is effective in controlling plasma glucose levels in subjects with NIDDM by stimulation of both insulin secretion and in vivo glucose disposal.