Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geometry and Proximity Constrained Query Evaluations over Large Geospatial Datasets Using Distributed Hash Tables

Data volumes in the geosciences and related domains have grown significantly as sensing equipment designed to continuously gather readings and produce data streams for geographic regions have proliferated. The storage requirements imposed by these datasets vastly outstrip the capabilities of a single computing resource, leading to the use and development of distributed storage frameworks composed of commodity hardware. In this paper, we explore the challenges associated with supporting geospatial retrievals constrained by arbitrary geometric bounds, geographic proximity, and relevance rankings. Our solution involves the use of a lightweight, distributed spatial indexing structure, the geoavailability grid. Geoavailability grids provide global, coarse-grained representations of the spatial information stored within these ever-expanding datasets, allowing the search space of distributed queries to be reduced by eliminating storage resources that do not hold relevant information. The index can also be used in non-distributed settings, and performs competitively with other spatial indexing technologies.
An energy efficient MAC protocol for fully-connected wireless networks

Power consumption is an important consideration in deploying wireless networks, especially for battery-powered mobile devices such as smartphones. Radio interface is the main source of energy consumption in mobile devices. Medium access control (MAC) directly controls the radio interface operation; therefore, an efficient MAC protocol can significantly decrease the energy consumption. This paper presents a new energy efficient MAC scheme for fully connected wireless networks. Time is divided into beacon intervals and a temporary coordinator node manages transmission in each beacon interval. The proposed scheme reduces energy consumption by putting radio interfaces in the sleep state periodically and reducing transmission collision. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme has lower power consumption, higher throughput and lower delay than existing power saving MAC protocols.
On the Structure of the Multiuser QoS Region

The quality-of-service (QoS) feasible region (the set of jointly feasible QoS) of a multiuser system is limited by mutual interference. In this paper, we characterize the region under the assumption that the interference coupling between the users can be described by a parameter-dependent matrix, where the parameter stands for some receive (or transmit) strategy. This model holds for a large class of practically relevant system designs (e.g., beam- forming, CDMA). In general, interference coupling is strongly influenced by the receive strategy. Thus, classical results based on the assumption of fixed irreducible coupling matrices cannot be transferred directly. New techniques are required to describe systems, where users are partially decoupled because of the impact of the receive strategy. We develop an analytical framework, which considers the close interaction between receive strategy and power allocation, but without the restricting assumption of irreducibility. We characterize the structure of the boundary, and explain the system behavior in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime. We provide conditions for existence and uniqueness of an optimal power allocation, given an optimal choice of receive strategy. We also discuss the duality between interference mitigation at the receiver and at the transmitter. Finally, we propose a globally convergent algorithm, which computes the min-max optimal power allocation under the assumption of block-irreducibility (independent irreducible subsystems).
A Near-Optimal Iterative Linear Precoding With Low Complexity for Massive MIMO Systems

The linear zero-forcing (ZF) precoding can achieve the near-optimal sum-rate performance when the favorable channel propagation is obtained in downlink massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. However, it involves high complexity with the matrix inversion. To significantly reduce the complexity of ZF precoding, we propose a weighted two-stage (WTS) precoding scheme with low complexity based on an iterative method. Specifically, the proposed WTS precoding converts the complicated matrix inversion into two-half iteration stages, and the result of each stage is weighted by a coefficient to further speed up the convergence and reduce the complexity. A theoretical analysis demonstrates that the proposed WTS precoding enjoys a fast convergence rate and low complexity. Simulation results indicate that the proposed WTS precoding can achieve better bit error rate (BER) and sum-rate performance with a smaller number of iterations than the recently proposed schemes.
Impacts of Malicious Data on Real-Time Price of Electricity Market Operations

Impacts of malicious data data attack on the real-time electricity market are studied. It is assumed that an adversary has access to a limited number of meters and has the ability to construct data attack based on what it observes. Different observation models are considered. A geometric framework is introduced based on which upper and lower bounds on the optimal data attack are obtained and evaluated in simulations.
Understanding What We See

Capable of decyphering physical laws and using them in their devices, man is great. The history of inventions is fascinating. The pedagogical interest is evident. Even more than that, the laws that are favored are those of the cosmic Totality. The human genius is attached to that of the Universe. We have let amazement and wonderment wither. We should react (it wouldn’t just be for the benefit of teaching). Nothing could be more natural: industry learning from nature and inspiring extraordinary technical discoveries.
A Methodology for Analyzing the Educational Validity of Business Simulation using Value Generation Models

The value of business simulations as pedagogic tools in education has been debated for over twenty years. This paper proposes a methodology for analyzing and understanding in-depth the educational validity of business simulations. It is based on Principal Component Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling, which are used for estimating models of educational value generation. The proposed methodology has been used for analyzing the educational validity of a business game conducted among students using the well established marketing strategy simulation package MARKSTRAT. It was found that such a simulation does indeed create value for participants and helps them to develop strategic marketing skills. We identified three types of educational value generated: capability for experimentation with strategic marketing, understanding of relevant concepts and creation of professional skills applicable and useful in future real life job situations. Also, the relations among these types of educational value have been examined. It was found that the experimentation has a very strong impact on the understanding of concepts, and both of them have medium to high direct impacts (of similar magnitudes) on professional skills development. Finally, it is the perception of the participants about the professional skills applicable in their future jobs they acquired in the business simulation game that determines their overall impression and level of satisfaction.
Oseltamivir-Resistant Pandemic A/H1N1 Virus Is as Virulent as Its Wild-Type Counterpart in Mice and Ferrets

The neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir is currently used for treatment of patients infected with the pandemic A/H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza virus, although drug-resistant mutants can emerge rapidly and possibly be transmitted. We describe the characteristics of a pair of oseltamivir-resistant and oseltamivir-susceptible pH1N1 clinical isolates that differed by a single change (H274Y) in the neuraminidase protein. Viral fitness of pH1N1 isolates was assessed in vitro by determining replication kinetics in MDCK α2,6 cells and in vivo by performing experimental infections of BALB/c mice and ferrets. Despite slightly reduced propagation of the mutant isolate in vitro during the first 24 h, the wild-type (WT) and mutant resistant viruses induced similar maximum weight loss in mice and ferrets with an identical pyrexic response in ferrets (AUC of 233.9 and 233.2, P = 0.5156). Similarly, comparable titers were obtained for the WT and the mutant strains on days 1, 3, 6 and 9 post-infection in mouse lungs and on days 1–7 in ferret nasal washes. A more important perivascular (day 6) and pleural (days 6 and 12) inflammation was noted in the lungs of mice infected with the H274Y mutant, which correlated with increased pulmonary levels of IL-6 and KC. Such increased levels of IL-6 were also observed in lymph nodes of ferrets infected with the mutant strain. Furthermore, the H274Y mutant strain was transmitted to ferrets. In conclusion, viral fitness of the H274Y pH1N1 isolate is not substantially altered and has the potential to induce severe disease and to disseminate.
The association between the timing of sexual debut and young adult romantic relationships

Supervisory Committee Dr. Bonnie J. Leadbeater (Department of Psychology) Supervisor Dr. Stuart MacDonald (Department of Psychology) Departmental Member This longitudinal study investigates whether the timing of sexual debut (early, on-time, or late, compared to one’s peers) is associated with young adult romantic relationship quality (i.e., overt and relational victimization, relational aggression, dating worries, and positive dating experiences) either directly or indirectly by moderating the relationship between trajectories of individual factors (internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and alcohol use) young adult romantic relationship quality. Participants were from a large, six-wave longitudinal study (N = 662, 48% males, M age at T1 = 15.5 years, SD = 1.9 years). I use multi-step regression models to estimate how sexual debut group moderates the association between individual factors and young adult romantic relationship experiences by estimating slopes and intercepts for individual factors and creating interaction terms to test the moderating effect of timing of sexual debut on the slopes and intercepts of individual factors. Gender differences are also investigated. Results indicate that early sexual debut is associated with higher baseline levels of individual factors and directly predicts negative relationship experiences in young adulthood. Early sexual debut moderates the relationship between baseline internalizing symptoms and negative dating experiences and dating worries in young adulthood. Findings also show that early sexual debut moderates the relationship between steeper increases in externalizing symptoms and negative dating experiences and dating worries.
A critical commentary on follow-up studies and “desistance” theories about transgender and gender-nonconforming children

ABSTRACT Background: It has been widely suggested that over 80% of transgender children will come to identify as cisgender (i.e., desist) as they mature, with the assumption that for this 80%, the trans identity was a temporary “phase. ” This statistic is used as the scientific rationale for discouraging social transition for pre-pubertal children. This article is a critical commentary on the limitations of this research and a caution against using these studies to develop care recommendations for gender-nonconforming children. Methods: A critical review methodology is employed to systematically interpret four frequently-cited studies that sought to document identity outcomes for gender-nonconforming children (often referred to as “desistance” research). Results: Methodological, theoretical, ethical, and interpretive concerns regarding four “desistance” studies are presented. The authors clarify the historical and clinical contexts within which these studies were conducted to deconstruct assumptions in interpretations of the results. The discussion makes distinctions between the specific evidence provided by these studies versus the assumptions that have shaped recommendations for care. The affirmative model is presented as a way to move away from the question of, “How should children's gender identities develop over time? ” toward a more useful question: “How should children best be supported as their gender identity develops? ” Conclusion: The tethering of childhood gender diversity to the framework of “desistance” or “persistence” has stifled advancements in our understanding of children's gender in all its complexity. These follow-up studies fall short in helping us understand what children need. As work begins on the 8th version of the Standards of Care by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, we call for a more inclusive conceptual framework that takes children's voices seriously. Listening to children's experiences will enable a more comprehensive understanding of the needs of gender-nonconforming children and provide guidance to scientific and lay communities.
Cellular and biochemical events in mammalian cells during and after recovery from physiological stress

We have examined and compared a number of cellular and biochemical events associated with the recovery process of rat fibroblasts placed under stress by different agents. Metabolic pulse-labeling studies of cells recovering from either heat-shock treatment, exposure to sodium arsenite, or exposure to an amino acid analogue of proline, L-azetidine 2-carboxylic acid, revealed interesting differences with respect to the individual stress proteins produced, their kinetics of induction, as well as the decay in their synthesis during the recovery period. In the initial periods of recovery, the major stress-induced 72-kD protein accumulates within the altered nucleoli in close association with the pre-ribosomal-containing granular region. During the later times of recovery from stress, the nucleoli begin to regain a normal morphology, show a corresponding loss of the 72-kD protein, and the majority of the protein now begins to accumulate within the cytoplasm in three distinct locales: the perinuclear region, along the perimeter of the cells, and finally in association with large phase-dense structures. These latter structures appear to consist of large aggregates of phase-dense material with no obvious encapsulating membrane. More interestingly we show, using double-label indirect immunofluorescence analysis, that much of the perinuclear and cell perimeter-distributed 72-kD protein coincides with the distribution of the cytoplasmic ribosomes. We discuss the possible implications of the presence of the 72-kD stress proteins within the pre-ribosomal-containing granular region of the nucleolus as well as its subsequent colocalization with cytoplasmic ribosomes in terms of the translational changes which occur in cells both during and after recovery from physiological stress.
An Empirical Study of Role of Linguistic Contexts in Acquisition of English Idioms by Chinese EFL Learners

Many EFL learners can understand the meaning of an individual word, but they often failed to comprehend the whole sentence. On the basis of Nation’s theory of context, the researcher conducted idiom tests and questionnaire to the subjects from Lanzhou City University, and found that the correct understanding rate of English idioms without context is lower than 50%, while the correct rate promotes dramatically if the English idioms are offered with context. It confirmed that linguistic context plays a positive role in the understanding of English idioms by Chinese EFL learners, and thus teachers should direct students to pay enough attention to the role contexts play in idiom understanding.
EFECTO DEL ENTRENAMIENTO PLIOMÉTRICO EN LA FUERZA EXPLOSIVA EN DEPORTES COLECTIVOS: UN METAANÁLISIS

El entrenamiento pliométrico (EPLI) es una herramienta utilizada para mejorar las acciones explosivas en muchos deportes; no obstante, este tipo de entrenamiento no genera el mismo efecto en todos los deportes. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto del entrenamiento pliométrico sobre la fuerza explosiva (FE) en los deportes colectivos. En el análisis final, se incluyeron 31 estudios que generaron 50 Tamaños de Efecto (TE). Bajo un modelo de efectos aleatorios, se encontró que el EPLI es efectivo para mejorar la FE (TE=0.98; p=0.00; CI95%=0.77 a 1.20; n=50; Q=174.51; I²=71.95) en deportes de conjunto. Los resultados orientan que para mejorar la FE en este tipo de deportes se debe utilizar el entrenamiento pliométrico sin combinarlo con otro tipo de ejercicios durante al menos diez semanas. Además, este tipo de entrenamiento produce mejorías en la altura de salto, tanto en el periodo preparatorio como en el competitivo, independientemente del tipo de protocolo que se utilice. Se propone realizar estudios confirmatorios con los resultados de este metaanálisis en los que se incluyan otros deportes y se estudie más el tema en mujeres, así como la combinación del EPLI con otro tipo de ejercicios o entrenamientos.
Sufficient statistic and reduced-dimensionality equivalent symbol-space model for frequency-flat MIMO channel with spatially nonuniform delay

An equivalent symbol-space discrete channel model for a frequency-flat block-fading MIMO spatial diversity channel with spatially nonuniform path delays is derived. A general nonlinear modulation scheme is assumed by allowing channel symbols to be multidimensional per one antenna. The sufficient symbol-spaced statistic dimensionality is shown to be a product of transmit, receive and symbol dimensions unlike for a traditional frequency-flat MIMO model where the dimension is a product of receive and symbol dimensions. The traditional model is valid only for spatially uniform delays. It is shown that the spatially nonuniform path delays cause spatial interbranch interference (IBI). A reduced-dimensionality equivalent system is introduced. The spatial IBI can be reduced by using a linear minimum mean square error spatial-temporal preprocessor (equaliser). Numerical results show that this dimensionality-reducing preprocessing significantly lowers the residual self-noise mean square in comparison with the case of deliberately ignoring the higher dimensionality of the sufficient statistic. The spatial processing is found to be the essential one; additional temporal processing has only a small impact on the residual self-noise.
PI : a Parallel in-memory skip list based Index

Due to the coarse granularity of data accesses and the heavy use of latches, indices in the B-tree family are not efficient for in-memory databases, especially in the context of today's multi-core architecture. In this paper, we present PI, a Parallel in-memory skip list based Index that lends itself naturally to the parallel and concurrent environment, particularly with non-uniform memory access. In PI, incoming queries are collected, and disjointly distributed among multiple threads for processing to avoid the use of latches. For each query, PI traverses the index in a Breadth-First-Search (BFS) manner to find the list node with the matching key, exploiting SIMD processing to speed up the search process. In order for query processing to be latch-free, PI employs a light-weight communication protocol that enables threads to re-distribute the query workload among themselves such that each list node that will be modified as a result of query processing will be accessed by exactly one thread. We conducted extensive experiments, and the results show that PI can be up to three times as fast as the Masstree, a state-of-the-art B-tree based index.
The Problem Bit

Health monitoring is an integral service for the long-term operation of wireless sensor networks. Instead of actively adding probe or status traffic, recently proposed passive health monitoring systems infer system health solely from existing application traffic. Our results from extensive testbed experiments prove that the detection rate of an exemplary monitoring application is significantly improved, i.e., by up to 28% to overall 94%, when a passive health estimation method is complemented with a minimally active component. This paper presents Hybrid Monitoring, a novel health monitoring system that combines the advantages of passive and active health monitoring systems. Results from the analysis of passively reconstructed, inexact per-hop timing information are significantly improved when one bit of extra information is added to every packet. The resulting system is able to estimate a significant health metric, i.e., the number of occurred failure events on a node, with a high confidence. The temporal resolution of the estimated signal is equal to the packet sampling interval, the performance of our system is not affected by large packet delays, e.g., when a sensor node is disconnected for a long time.
Pulsed high harmonic generation of light due to pumped Bloch oscillations in noninteracting metals

We derive a simple theory for high-order harmonic generation due to pumping a noninteracting metal with a large amplitude oscillating electric field. The model assumes that the radiated light field arises from the acceleration of electrons due to the time-varying current generated by the pump, and also assumes that the system has a constant density of photoexcited carriers, hence it ignores the dipole excitation between bands (which would create carriers in semiconductors). We examine the circumstances under which odd harmonic frequencies would be expected to dominate the spectrum of radiated light, and we also apply the model to real materials like ZnO, for which high-order harmonic generation has already been demonstrated in experiments.
Carleson's Theorem: Proof, Complements, Variations

Carleson's Theorem from 1965 states that the partial Fourier sums of a square integrable function converge pointwise. We prove an equivalent statement on the real line, following the method developed by the author and C. Thiele. This theorem, and the proof presented, is at the center of an emerging theory which complements the statement and proof of Carleson's theorem. An outline of these variations is also given.
Research issues with young learners

This chapter discusses the ways in which research has been undertaken with children in applied linguistics and ELT. First of all, the traditional paradigm is introduced and it is argued that most research to date has involved children as passive objects of adult interest. Even where children have been studied as unique subjects with their own characteristics and trajectories, all aspects of these studies have also been completely controlled by adults. An alternative paradigm which considers children as competent social agents is proposed, and, accordingly, the chapter recommends that it is possible to work with children as active subjects and co-researchers, and even to enable them to become researchers themselves. Children can influence and have useful input into research that concerns them and their learning. The consequences of this shift from passive to active research participants brings numerous benefits but also significant challenges. This chapter gives an overview of these benefits and challenges and suggests some practical recommendations for classroom research with children.
Control of scene reconstruction using explicit knowledge

Applications such as landscape planning, environmental monitoring, and flight and driving simulators have a high demand for realistic landscape models. Quantity, precision and the type of models ask for methods which automate the model generation by evaluation of remote sensing data. The presented modelling system AIDA tackles the demand for efficient representation and high realism by integrating a priori knowledge about the appearance of the objects in the scene to drive object specific constraints for 3D reconstruction. This requires an image interpretation to assign a meaning to the objects in the scene. For explicit representation of the declarative and procedural knowledge a problem independent formalism based on semantic nets and rules is used. It provides both a data driven and model driven control strategy.