Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"BOF" trees diagram as a visual way to improve interpretability of tree ensembles

The motivation for this research stemmed from a desire to create visual aids to help researchers/managers interpret ensembles of decision tree outputs generated by various algorithms. The method employed a simulation experiment (using only bagging) followed by application of the new visualization tools on actual survey data. Simulated data, with a prespecified structure, were "bagged" with the results presented using five graphical tools that recreated (and/or portrayed) the known data structures captured by the bagging algorithm. Then the same methodology was generalized to a structurally unknown, virgin (survey) data set. Results of the research are that five visual aids tools were examined (two of which are new approaches) and found to be useful for making action oriented interpretations from e.g., Web-survey data
Indoor Localization Algorithms for a Human-Operated Backpack System

Automated 3D modeling of building interiors is useful in applications such as virtual reality and entertainment. Using a human-operated backpack system equipped with 2D laser scanners and inertial measurement units, we develop four scan-matching-based algorithms to localize the backpack and compare their performance and tradeoffs. We present results for two datasets of a 30-meter-long indoor hallway and compare one of the best performing localization algorithms with a visual-odometry-based method. We find that our scan-matching-based approach results in comparable or higher accuracy.
The Borrelia burgdorferi telomere resolvase, ResT, possesses ATP-dependent DNA unwinding activity

Abstract Spirochetes of the genus Borrelia possess unusual genomes harboring multiple linear and circular replicons. The linear replicons are terminated by covalently closed hairpin (hp) telomeres. Hairpin telomeres are formed from replicated intermediates by the telomere resolvase, ResT, in a phosphoryl transfer reaction with mechanistic similarities to those promoted by type 1B topoisomerases and tyrosine recombinases. There is growing evidence that ResT is multifunctional. Upon ResT depletion DNA replication unexpectedly ceases. Additionally, ResT possesses RecO-like biochemical activities being able to promote single-strand annealing on both free ssDNA and ssDNA complexed with cognate single-stranded DNA binding protein. We report here that ResT possesses DNA-dependent ATPase activity that promotes DNA unwinding with a 3΄-5΄ polarity. ResT can unwind a variety of substrates including synthetic replication forks and D-loops. We demonstrate that ResT's twin activities of DNA unwinding and annealing can drive regression of a model replication fork. These properties are similar to those of the RecQ helicase of the RecF pathway involved in DNA gap repair. We propose that ResT's combination of activities implicates it in replication and recombination processes operating on the linear chromosome and plasmids of Borrelia burgdorferi.
User Preference and Performance with UML Interaction Diagrams

During the requirements process, it is of key importance that all representations used are clearly understood by those who must use them. Therefore it is essential to ensure that those representations are presented as effectively as possible. User preference is one area that may influence the effectiveness of the representations presented. This paper describes a study that was carried out to explore the relationship between user preference for UML sequence and collaboration diagrams. Results show that participants who preferred sequence diagrams showed improved performance when using sequence diagrams. This was true for preferences expressed both before and after the task. However, participants who did not prefer sequence diagrams showed an overall improved performance for both types of diagram over the group that preferred sequence diagrams
Profiles and fuzzy K-nearest neighbor algorithm for protein secondary structure prediction

We introduce a new approach for predicting the secondary structure of proteins using profiles and the Fuzzy K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm. K-Nearest Neighbor methods give relatively better performance than Neural Networks or Hidden Markov models when the query protein has few homologs in the sequence database to build sequence profile. Although the traditional K-Nearest Neighbor algorithms are a good choice for this situation, one of the difficulties in utilizing these techniques is that all the labeled sam ples are given equal importance while deciding the secondary structure class of the protein residue and once a class has been assigned to a residue, there is no indication of its confidence in a particular class. In this paper, we propose a system based on the Fuzzy K-Nearest Neighbor Algorithm that addresses the above-mentioned issues and the system outperforms earlier K-Nearest neighbor methods that use multiple sequence alignments. We also introduce a new distance measure to calculate the distance between two protein sequences, a new method to assign membership values to the Nearest Neighbors in each of the Helix, Strand and Coil classes. We also propose a novel heuristic based filter to smoothen the prediction. Particularly attractive feature of our filter is that it does not require retraining when new structures are added to the database. We have achieved a sustained three-state overall accuracy of 75.75% with our system. The software is available upon request.
Addiction Is Not An Affliction: Addictive Desires Are Merely Pleasure-Oriented Desires

This article maybe used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.
How Acoustical Noise can cause Physiological and Psychological Reactions. Behavioural-Ecological Considerations on the Origin of the Capability to Experience Annoyance

"Traditional noise research" starts from psycho-physics of auditory perception, is based upon the correlation between annoyance ratings and physical measurements of sound energy, and defines annoyance usually by the level of sound pressure. In this approach, ecological or psychological meaning of acoustical events are not taken into account. In contrast, "ecological noise research" emphasizes the psychological function of sounds, e.g. for communication, environmental monitoring, or sensory feedback of motor activity. In this approach, annoyance is attributed to experienced interference between sounds carrying information about the current task, and sounds not compatible with the task. Therefore, physical noise measurements are considered as improper descriptions of noise annoyance. The aim of the present paper is to outline a unifying theory of noise annoyance, which considers, apart from traditional and ecological aspects as mentioned above, also the biological function of being annoyed. In the resulting "psycho -biological" approach, a pre -consciously operating PLOF-detector (possible loss of fitness detector) is introduced, the output of which signals a person that fitness may diminish when continuing to stay in that situation, and therefore motivates a person to switch to a behaviour appropriate to overcome that situation. Mathematically, in a first approximation the PLOF-detector's output can be considered as correlating with the energy equivalent sound pressure level. However, the psycho-biological approach implies that the PLOF-detector (a) marks man-made sounds originating from unfamiliar con-specifics as particularly threatening, and (b) is also capable of learning, such that, besides of the sound pressure level, originally neutral sounds can cause considerable reactions dependent on previous experiences. Therefore, the approach can explain differential effects of, and individual reactions to, sources and loudness of noisy events. Three experiments are reported favouring the PLOF-model.
DYNAMICS OF THE SHARP EDGES OF BROAD PLANETARY RINGS

This paper describes a model of a broad planetary ring whose sharp edge is confined by a satellite's mth Lindblad resonance (LR). This model uses the streamline formalism of Borderies et al. to calculate the ring's internal forces, namely, ring gravity, pressure, and viscosity. The model also allows for the possibility of a drag force that can affect small ring particles directly, and large ring particles indirectly via collisions with the small. The model calculates the streamlines' forced eccentricities e, their longitudes of periapse , and the surface density σ throughout the perturbed ring. This model is then applied to the outer edge of Saturn's B ring, which is maintained by an m = 2 inner LR with the satellite Mimas. A suite of ring models are used to illustrate how a ring's perturbed state depends on the ring's physical properties: its surface density, its viscosity, the ring particles' dispersion velocity, and the strength of the hypothetical drag force. A comparison of simulations with the outer B ring's observed properties suggests that the ring's surface density there is 10 ≲ σ ≲ 280 gm cm−2 in the ring's outermost ∼40 km. The ring's sharp edge identifies the site where the ring's viscous torque precisely counterbalances the perturbing satellite's gravitational torque on the ring. However, an examination of several seemingly conventional viscous B ring models shows that they all fail, by wide margins, to balance these torques at the ring's outer edge. This is partly due to the ring's self-gravity, which tends to reduce forced eccentricities near the resonance. But this is also due to the fact that a viscous ring tends to be nearly peri-aligned with the satellite. Both effects conspire to reduce the satellite's torque on the ring, which in turn makes the ring's edge more difficult to maintain. Nonetheless, the following shows that a torque balance can still be achieved in a viscous B ring, but only in an extreme case where the ratio of the ring's bulk/shear viscosities satisfy νb/νs ∼ 104. However, if the dissipation of the ring's forced motions is instead dominated by a weak drag force, then the satellite can exert a much stronger torque across a wider annulus in the ring, which can successfully counterbalance the ring's viscous torque there. We also show how this streamline model can be adapted to study other interesting ring phenomena, such as narrow eccentric ringlets and nonlinear spiral density waves.
Task articulation in software maintenance: Integrating source code annotations with an issue tracking system

Managing and articulating development tasks is an important aspect of software maintenance. Developers already have a variety of specialty tools to support task management, for example, issue tracking and configuration management software, but they also make use of other tools within their software engineering environments to support software task management. An example of one such mechanism is the appropriation of source code comments to document finer grained details of formally specified tasks. In this research, we propose and present a tool that integrates these source code annotations with an issue tracking management system. We describe how this tool addresses deficiencies that occur in task management and propose future research to improve task management.
Multi-way clustering of microarray data using probabilistic sparse matrix factorization

MOTIVATION We address the problem of multi-way clustering of microarray data using a generative model. Our algorithm, probabilistic sparse matrix factorization (PSMF), is a probabilistic extension of a previous hard-decision algorithm for this problem. PSMF allows for varying levels of sensor noise in the data, uncertainty in the hidden prototypes used to explain the data and uncertainty as to the prototypes selected to explain each data vector. RESULTS We present experimental results demonstrating that our method can better recover functionally-relevant clusterings in mRNA expression data than standard clustering techniques, including hierarchical agglomerative clustering, and we show that by computing probabilities instead of point estimates, our method avoids converging to poor solutions.
Level of data-a concept for knowledge discovery in information spaces

The visualization of large volumes of abstract information requires mechanisms to support the user by knowledge discovery. Therefore, we have developed the "level of data" concept, in which the abstract nature of the data and the diverse user community has been taken into account. By using the "iceberg" metaphor, we classified the information space into several layers. The different backgrounds and analysis purposes of the users yield various views on the data. With these different perspectives on the iceberg, the levels of data can be pointed out. For proving the level-of-data concept, we developed a system for the interactive visualization of share prices as a representative example of abstract information. With the integration of this concept, it is possible that any user can perform any analysis within a single system.
Scheduling of tasks with precedence delays and relative deadlines framework for time-optimal dynamic reconfiguration of FPGAs

This paper is motivated by existing architectures of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). To facilitate the design process we present an optimal scheduling algorithm using a very universal framework, where tasks are constrained by precedence delays and relative deadlines. The precedence relations are given by an oriented graph, where tasks are represented by nodes. Edges in the graph are related either to the minimum time or to the maximum time elapsed between the start times of the tasks. This framework is used to model the runtime dynamic reconfiguration, synchronization with an on-chip processor and simultaneous availability of arithmetic units and SRAM memory. The NP-hard problem of finding an optimal schedule satisfying the timing and resource constraints while minimizing the makespan Cmax, is solved using two approaches. The first one is based on integer linear programming and the second one is implemented as a branch and bound algorithm. Experimental results show the efficiency comparison of the ILP and branch and bound solutions
Permutation decoding the binary images of certain double-parity reed-solomon codes

We introduce two permutation decoder designs for the binary images of double-parity [n, n − 2, 3] Reed-Solomon (RS) codes over binary extension fields F2m. The codes considered are limited to have zeros {1, α}, where α is any primitive element in F2m. We show that there exists a large set of m binary symbol errors that may be corrected via permutation decoding. The permutation decoders are shown to achieve near maximum-likelihood decoder performance, while only utilizing simple ideas borrowed from well-known reliability-based decoding algorithms.
Compilation pour cibles hétérogènes : automatisation des analyses, transformations et décisions nécessaires

Les accelerateurs materiels, telles les cartes FPGA ou les cartes graphiques, apportent une alternative ou un complement interessant aux processeurs multi-coeurs classiques pour de nombreuses applications scientifiques. Il est cependant couteux et difficile d'y porter des applications existantes ; et les compilateurs standards, traditionnellement portes sur la generation de code pour processeurs sequentiels, ne disposent pas des abstractions necessaires a la generation automatique et re-ciblable de code pour ces nouvelles cibles. Cet article presente un ensemble de transformations de code de haut niveau reposant sur une abstraction a plusieurs niveaux de l'architecture des accelerateurs actuels et permettant de construire des compilateurs specifiques a chaque cible en se basant sur une infrastructure commune. Ces transformations ont ete utilisees pour construire avec PIPS deux compilateurs completement automatises pour un processeur embarque a base de FPGA et pour GPU NVIDIA avec PAR4ALL.
El efecto del estado civil y de la convivencia en pareja en la salud The Effect on Health of Marital and Cohabitation Status

Researches on the consequences of divorce on health are scarce in Spain. This study is a contribution to this fi eld from sociology and demography. In it, the health of separated/divorced Spanish men and women is analyzed using the European Health Survey 2009-2010. Employing questions on perceived health and objective mental health, we explore whether 1) people with divorced or separated marital status suffer from poorer health than married; if 2) the cohabitation with a partner promotes a better health; and if 3) gender is a source of health differences between divorcees. The results show that the health of female divorcees is worse and that male divorcees have higher risk for chronic depression than other men. In addition, the female divorcees are much more likely to suffer chronic anxiety and chronic depression. Como citar
Multilingual Single-Document Summarization with MUSE

MUltilingual Sentence Extractor (MUSE) is aimed at multilingual single-document summarization. MUSE implements a supervised language-independent summarization approach based on optimization of multiple sentence ranking methods using a Genetic Algorithm. The main advantage of MUSE is its language-independency ‐ it is using statistical sentence features, which can be calculated for sentences in any language.
REMOTE BIOMINERALIZATION IN DIVARICATE RIBS OF STRIGILLA AND SOLECURTUS (TELLINOIDEA: BIVALVIA)

Deposits composed of aragonite prisms, which were formed after the outer shell layer, have been found at the posterior steep slopes of divaricate ribs in two species of Strigilla and another two of Solecurtus. These prisms have their axes oriented perpendicular to the outer shell surface and differ in morphology from fibres of the surface-parallel composite prisms forming the outer shell. They display crystalline features indicating that, unlike crystals forming the outer shell surface, their growth front was free, unconstrained by the mantle or periostracum. These particular deposits are called free-growing prisms (FGPs). In these genera the periostracum is clearly not the substrate for biomineralization and, upon formation, does not adhere to the steep slope of ribs, but detaches at the rib peak and reattaches towards the posterior, just beyond the foot of the posterior scarps of ribs. In this way, a sinus or open space developed between the internal surface of the periostracum and the outer shell surface along each steep rib slope. These spaces could remain filled with extrapallial fluid after the mantle advances beyond that point during shell secretion. FGPs grow within this microenvironment, out of contact with the mantle. Other species with divaricate ribs do not develop FGPs simply because the periostracum adheres tightly to both rib slopes (which are never so steep as in Solecurtus and Strigilla). FGPs constitute one of the rare cases of remote biomineralization in which aragonite is produced and direct contact with the mantle never takes place.
A Brief Essay on Numerology of the Mass Ratio of Proton to Electron

There are few mathematical expressions for calculation proton to electron mass ratio presented. Some of them are new and some are not. They have been analyzed in terms of their simplicity, numerical significance and precision. Expressions are listed in the structured manner with comments. The close attention should be paid to a comparison of the formula similarity via their precision. A brief review of the different attempts in similar search is given.
The influence of external factors on biomass and salidroside content in hairy roots of Rhodiola sachalinensis induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Hairy roots of Rhodiola sachalinensis A.Bor were induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes stains A4, 15834, R1601, R1000. These hairy roots can add new perspectives on the prospects and challenges of producing Salidroside, which has been identified as the major compounds from the roots of Rhodiola sachalinensis A.Bor. For high salidroside production, the optimal light intensity, pH value and Nitrogen enhanced biomass accumulation and salidroside production. The 1000xl scatter light, PH 4.5∼4.8, and Nitrogen (NH<inf>4</inf><sup>+</sup>∶ NO<inf>3</inf><sup>−</sup> =1∶1) concentration (80 mmol/l) is the the optimal condition, respectively.
Impact of Tobacco Smoking and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus on Public Health: A Cerebrovascular Perspective

Tobacco smoke (TS) is accountable for ≈ 434,000 casualties/year in the US and is the leading cause of preventable death. Even though there has been a marginal decline in smoking during recent years, the fact that ≈ 18% of the US adult population are current smokers is alarming [1]. In 2007 diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in the US and increasing at an alarming rate. One in every three U.S. adults is projected to suffer from diabetes by 2050 [2]. Smoking is a major risk factor for diabetes [3], with 12% of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) cases being attributed to tobacco smoke (45% higher in men, 74% higher in women in comparison to non-smokers) [4-6]. Both active and passive smoking not only causes glucose intolerance [7], but also significantly increases the risk of diabetes. Major pathological changes in diabetic patients such as insulin resistance and high levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) have also been reported in smokers [5]. Similarly to TS, the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke is 4-fold higher in 2DM independently of other known risk factors [8]. Both T2DM and TS have independently been reported to enhance the risk of cerebrovascular and neurological disorders, however the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these cerebrovascular disorders remain elusive. CS contains over 4000 chemicals including nicotine and various reactive oxygen species (ROS) (e.g., H2O2, epoxides, nitrogen dioxide, peroxynitrite -ONOO-, etc. [9,10] which pass through the lung alveolar wall and raise systemic oxidative stress OS [11]. At the cerebrovascular level this promotes oxidative damage and BBB breakdown via tight junction (TJ) modification and activation of pro inflammatory pathways [12,13]. Under normal conditions, ROS are scavenged by antioxidant vitamins such as ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol [14-17] or intracellularly converted into less reactive molecules by superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) [18]. Both acute and chronic nicotine exposure has even shown to reduce stroke induced enhancement in GLUT1 transport function and expression at the BBB in a focal brain ischemia model [19]. However, chronic exposure to active and passive smoking can overwhelm these protective mechanisms. Elevated levels of WBC, primarily neutrophils and monocytes, are observed in smokers [20]. In particular, neutrophils, which secrete free radicals, elastase and collagenase [21], are thought to contribute directly to endothelial cells (EC) injury. Platelet activation is also frequently observed in smokers [22] and confirmed in vitro and in vivo studies [23].