Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Sensitivity of Cooperative Caching Performance to User Access Patterns

Cooperation among Web proxies is potentially beneficial because it reduces capacity misses by effectively increasing total cache size, as well as compulsory misses by fetching the missed objects from a neighboring cache. In this study, we classify cooperative caching protocols into two broad categories based on the level of coordination employed, and derive an upper bound on the benefit of cooperation using a simple steady state analysis. Through simulation, we quantitatively demonstrate the effectiveness of our simple analysis and show how the benefit of cooperative caching is related to user access patterns (e.g., object popularity distribution, temporal locality, one time referencing behavior). We further identify a novel workload characteristic, called the average access density, and show that it has a critical impact on the effectiveness of cooperative caching.
Opportunistic Oral Infections in the Immunosuppressed Patient: Oral Hairy Leukoplakia and Oral Candidiasis

Several opportunistic infections associated with immunosuppression are noted to occur secondary to an altered relationship between host and organism. In relation to diminished host immunologic defenses, associated commensal organisms may evolve to a pathogen state. Candidiasis. a common oral marker disease reflective of immunosuppression, results from dysfunction of complex cellular interactions keyed by depressed T-cell activity or function. Certain viral infections may also serve as probable markers of immunosuppression. One such infection is typified by the development of oral hairy leukoplakia, a condition highly correlated to HIV infection in most, but not all, patients. Detection of Epstein-Barr virus particles and subsequent molecular analytic verification of such and the absence of other potential viral candidates, such as papilloma and human immunodeficiency viruses, have led to a general acceptance of this virus as the cause of this condition.
Energy efficient optimization for full-duplex assisted closed-loop MISO downlink transmission

This paper studies the energy efficient optimization for full duplex (FD) assisted closed-loop downlink transmission, where a FD base station (BS) serves multiple half duplex (HD) users in a time division multiple access manner. We optimize the durations of uplink training and downlink transmission, aimed at maximizing the energy efficiency (EE) of the system. We first show that the EE-optimal transmission scheme must use one of the two strategies: transmitting in HD mode or transmitting downlink data over all time slots so that the BS operates in FD mode during the whole uplink training phase. We then derive an approximate average net data rate of the system considering the bidirectional interference between uplink and downlink users in FD mode. Based on the result, a closed-form expression of the EE is obtained. We prove that the EE in FD mode is quasi-concave with respect to the duration of uplink training, with which the optimal durations of uplink training and downlink transmission are obtained. Simulation results show the evident gain of the proposed scheme over existing FD and HD schemes.
Discriminant analysis using nonnegative matrix factorization for nonparametric multiclass classification

Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) has been ap- plied to many pattern recognition problems. However, a lot of practical problems require nonnegativity constraints. For exam- ple, pixels in digital images, term frequencies in text mining, and chemical concentrations in bioinformatics should be nonnegative. In this paper, we propose discriminant analysis using nonnegative matrix factorization (DA/NMF), which is a multiclass classifier that generates nonnegative basis vectors. It does not require any parameter optimization and it is intrinsically appropriate for multiclass classifications. It also provides us with the reliability of classification. DA/NMF can be considered as a novel nonnegative dimension reduction algorithm for supervised machine learning problems since it generates nonnegative low-rank representations as well as nonnegative basis vectors. In addition, it can be thought of as nonnegative LDA or the supervised version of NMF.
Affect Attunement during Mother-Infant Interaction: How Specific Intensities Predict the Stability of Infants' Coordinated Joint Attention Skills

Associations between mother-infant affect attunement (AA) at 6 and 9 months and infant coordinated joint attention (CJA) at 12 months were examined. Fifteen dyads were videotaped at 6, 9, and 12 months during object-mediated play interactions. Videotapes were coded for intensity of matched AA at 6 and 9 months. Low-intensity affect matches at 6 and 9 months were positively associated with CJA; whereas moderate-intensity affect matches had a negative association. Results suggest shared, pleasurable, low-intensity emotional states support social-cognitive development; whereas moderate-intensity AA may be a hindrance. Between 6 and 9 months, AA may shift from understanding others' emotions to understanding others' attentions; and mutual regulation of low-intensity emotional states may facilitate infant processing capabilities.
Common Misconceptions in the Diagnosis and Management of Anemia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Anemia is the most common systemic complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); so common that it is almost invariably not investigated and rarely treated. Several misconceptions are the reason for these clinical errors, and our goal will be to review them. The most common misconceptions are: anemia is uncommon in IBD; iron deficiency is also uncommon; just by treating the intestinal disease, anemia will be corrected; iron deficiency is the only cause for anemia in IBD; ferritin is an accurate parameter for the diagnosis of iron deficiency in IBD; the impact of anemia on the quality of life of IBD patients is limited; iron supplementation is rarely needed in IBD; high-dose oral iron solves the problem of iron malabsorption in IBD; intravenous (IV) iron is dangerous and of no proven benefit in IBD; IV iron is useful only for severe anemia; and erythropoietin has no role in the treatment of IBD anemia. These misconceptions are not evidence-based. On the contrary, there is enough evidence to support the following statements: (a) anemia is very common in IBD, (b) anemia should be investigated with care because many factors can be responsible, (c) treatment of anemia results in clear improvement in the objective parameters of well-being, especially in the quality of life, (d) IV iron is safe and effective in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in IBD patients, and (e) erythropoietin is useful in a subset of patients with refractory anemia. Anemia diagnosis and treatment must not be neglected in IBD patients, and several misconceptions should be promptly abandoned.
On the notion of the photon

It is shown that the photon, the quantum of electromag- netic fleld, allows the consideration in the framework of the scheme which in some aspects is typical for the phonon, an excitation of the crystal lattice of a solid. The conclusion is drawn that the photon may be interpreted as an elementary excitation in a flne-grained space. The corollary is in excellent agreement with the space structure and sub- microscopic quantum mechanics, which have recently been constructed by the author in a series of works.
Use of assisted reproductive technology to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV in discordant couples wishing to have their own children where the male partner is seropositive with an undetectable viral load

The advances in treatment of HIV and the introduction of polymerase chain reaction assay for the virus now make it acceptable for HIV discordant couples where the male partner is seropositive to attempt to conceive through artificial insemination by husband (AIH) or via in vitro fertilisation. With undetectable viral load and washed sperm, there is minimal risk of transmission of HIV to the female partner, children, other patients, or staff. We describe the development of a programme of AIH for HIV discordant couples and the reasoning behind offering such a programme.
Sequential versus concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

AIM To define the best sequence of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung (NSCL) tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic review was performed on the clinical results of radiotherapy, combined or not with chemotherapy, for inoperable NSCL cancer stage III. The mean median survival time (MST) and mean overall survival (OS) percentages were derived for radiotherapy only, for sequential and for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. RESULTS The mean median survival duration +/- standard deviation for radiotherapy only was 10.4 +/- 1.8 months. For sequential chemo- and radiotherapy it was increased to 13.0 +/- 1.2 months. When radiotherapy in the sequential regimen was accompanied by chemotherapy, the mean median duration was 15.8 +/- 2.6 months. For concurrent radio-chemotherapy it was further increased to 16.4 +/- 2.7 months. The mean 2- and 3-year overall survivals for radiotherapy alone, sequential and concurrent radio-chemotherapy were 17.1 +/- 4.6 and 10, 23.8 +/- 6.3 and 18.5 +/- 7.0, and 32.5 +/- 8.7 and 25.7 +/- 6.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy demonstrated increased efficacy over sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy and should be the treatment of choice. Further improvements may be obtained by optimising the conditions for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.
On the tolerance of spectral blur in the perception of spoken words.

How does a listener resolve linguistic properties conveyed by speech? Many descriptions of perception attribute a causal role to brief spectral details in narrow frequency ranges. Perceptual standards allow far more variety, revealed by the robustness of perception of many kinds of distorted speech. The present study considered the effects of spectral blur on the recognition of spoken words. Listeners heard successive presentations of noise-vocoded easy and hard words. The number of spectral channels composing the word increased with each presentation, reducing blur within a trial. Four conditions counterbalanced the number of presentations of each word in a trial, 3 or 5, and the severity of initial blur, either 1 or 5 channels. In all conditions, the final presentation had 9 bands, yielding a net blur reduction of 4 or 8 bands. These conditions were also tested with the instruction that the words would become clearer during each trial. A control used two repetitions of each word at 9 spectral bands. Acr.
Identification of the Novobiocin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster of Streptomyces spheroides NCIB 11891

ABSTRACT The novobiocin biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces spheroides NCIB 11891 was cloned by using homologous deoxynucleoside diphosphate (dNDP)-glucose 4,6-dehydratase gene fragments as probes. Double-stranded sequencing of 25.6 kb revealed the presence of 23 putative open reading frames (ORFs), including the gene for novobiocin resistance, gyrBr, and at least 11 further ORFs to which a possible role in novobiocin biosynthesis could be assigned. An insertional inactivation experiment with a dNDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratase fragment resulted in abolishment of novobiocin production, since biosynthesis of the deoxysugar moiety of novobiocin was blocked. Heterologous expression of a key enzyme of novobiocin biosynthesis, i.e., novobiocic acid synthetase, inStreptomyces lividans TK24 further confirmed the involvement of the analyzed genes in the biosynthesis of the antibiotic.
Principles of mental imagery

Imagery can be used to improve memory, perceptual skills, even creativity. Numerous experiments carried out over the past 20 years have probed the nature of mental imagery and unlocked its powers. "Principles of Mental Imagery "offers a broad, balanced, and up to date introduction to the major findings of this research and identifies 5 general principles that can account for most of them. It considers the development of experimental techniques that have solved many of the challenging methodological problems inherent in imagery research and includes recent experimental findings not covered in other imagery books. "Principles of Mental Imagery "brings together work by all of the key imagery researchers, among them Roger Shepard, Stephen Kosslyn, Allen Paivio, Lynn Cooper, Steven Pinker and the author. Chapters present new research on the role that imagery plays in human memory, new findings on how mental imagery influences perception (one of the dominant issues in modern imagery research), recent studies on "representational momentum" experimental demonstrations of how imagery can be used to make creative, visual discoveries, and recent work on imagery deficits in brain damaged patients. And, a new argument is made for why the study of mental imagery should be motivated by general principles, rather than formal models. Each chapter concludes with convenient summaries and suggestions for further exploration.Ronald A. Fluke is Associate Professor of Psychology at Texas A & M University. A Bradford Book
Singularly Perturbed Lie Bracket Approximation

We consider the interconnection of two dynamical systems where one has an input-affine vector field. By employing a singular perturbation and a Lie bracket analysis technique, we show how the trajectories can be approximated by two decoupled systems. From this trajectory approximation result and the stability properties of the decoupled systems, we derive stability properties of the overall system.
A novel peripherally restricted cannabinoid receptor antagonist, AM6545, reduces food intake and body weight, but does not cause malaise, in rodents

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists reduce food intake and body weight, but clinical use in humans is limited by effects on the CNS. We have evaluated a novel cannabinoid antagonist (AM6545) designed to have limited CNS penetration, to see if it would inhibit food intake in rodents, without aversive effects.
Improving 4D plan quality for PBS-based liver tumour treatments by combining online image guided beam gating with rescanning

Pencil beam scanned (PBS) proton therapy has many advantages over conventional radiotherapy, but its effectiveness for treating mobile tumours remains questionable. Gating dose delivery to the breathing pattern is a well-developed method in conventional radiotherapy for mitigating tumour-motion, but its clinical efficiency for PBS proton therapy is not yet well documented. In this study, the dosimetric benefits and the treatment efficiency of beam gating for PBS proton therapy has been comprehensively evaluated. A series of dedicated 4D dose calculations (4DDC) have been performed on 9 different 4DCT(MRI) liver data sets, which give realistic 4DCT extracting motion information from 4DMRI. The value of 4DCT(MRI) is its capability of providing not only patient geometries and deformable breathing characteristics, but also includes variations in the breathing patterns between breathing cycles. In order to monitor target motion and derive a gating signal, we simulate time-resolved beams’ eye view (BEV) x-ray images as an online motion surrogate. 4DDCs have been performed using three amplitude-based gating window sizes (10/5/3 mm) with motion surrogates derived from either pre-implanted fiducial markers or the diaphragm. In addition, gating has also been simulated in combination with up to 19 times rescanning using either volumetric or layered approaches. The quality of the resulting 4DDC plans has been quantified in terms of the plan homogeneity index (HI), total treatment time and duty cycle. Results show that neither beam gating nor rescanning alone can fully retrieve the plan homogeneity of the static reference plan. Especially for variable breathing patterns, reductions of the effective duty cycle to as low as 10% have been observed with the smallest gating rescanning window (3 mm), implying that gating on its own for such cases would result in much longer treatment times. In addition, when rescanning is applied on its own, large differences between volumetric and layered rescanning have been observed as a function of increasing number of re-scans. However, once gating and rescanning is combined, HI to within 2% of the static plan could be achieved in the clinical target volume, with only moderately prolonged treatment times, irrespective of the rescanning strategy used. Moreover, these results are independent of the motion surrogate used. In conclusion, our results suggest image guided beam gating, combined with rescanning, is a feasible, effective and efficient motion mitigation approach for PBS-based liver tumour treatments.
Neuropsychological mechanisms of false facial recognition following frontal lobe damage

Previous neuropsychological studies have demonstrated an association between false recognition and frontal lobe dysfunction. In the experiments reported here we explore the contribution of memory impairment and executive dysfunction to the pathogenesis of false facial recognition in patients with focal frontal lobe damage. Memory illusions in response to novel faces were observed in both anterograde and retrograde tests of face recognition memory. However, in neither memory domain could false recognition be accounted for by face memory loss. Instead, our findings suggest that false facial recognition in frontal patients reflects the breakdown of strategic memory retrieval, monitoring, and decision functions critical for attributing the experience of familiarity to a specific source. Frontal executive memory functions are primarily recruited under conditions of uncertainty when the face cue does not automatically elicit relevant contextual information, leaving the source of familiarity unspecified. Our res.
A Pre-Saliency Map Based Blind Image Quality Assessment via Convolutional Neural Networks

In recent years, various approaches have been investigated towards blind image quality assessment (IQA) with high accuracy and low complexity. In this paper we develop a pre-saliency map based blind IQA method, which takes advantage of saliency information in prior of quality prediction for performance enhancement by two steps. 1) We split the image into patches and design a convolution neural network (CNN) to predict the patch-wise quality score. Then we explore the relation between image saliency information and CNN prediction error to present a statistical analysis. 2) Based on the analysis, we propose a patch quality aggregation algorithm by removing non-salient patches which are likely to bring large prediction error and assigning large weights for salient patches. Experimental results validate that our method can achieve high accuracy (0.978) with subjective quality scores, which outperforms existing IQA methods. Meanwhile, the proposed method can reduce 52.7% computational time than the IQA without pre-saliency map.
Acoustic Based Sketch Recognition Acoustic Based Sketch Recognition

Acoustic Based Sketch Recognition. (August 2012) Wenzhe Li, B.S., Nankai University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Tracy Hammond Sketch recognition is an active research field, with the goal to automatically recognize hand-drawn diagrams by a computer. The technology enables people to freely interact with digital devices like tablet PCs, Wacoms, and multi-touch screens. These devices are easy to use and have become very popular in market. However, they are still quite costly and need more time to be integrated into existing systems. For example, handwriting recognition systems, while gaining in accuracy and capability, still must rely on users using tablet-PCs to sketch on. As computers get smaller, and smart-phones become more common, our vision is to allow people to sketch using normal pencil and paper and to provide a simple microphone, such as one from their smart-phone, to interpret their writings. Since the only device we need is a single simple microphone, the scope of our work is not limited to common mobile devices, but also can be integrated into many other small devices, such as a ring. In this thesis, we thoroughly investigate this new area, which we call acoustic based sketch recognition, and evaluate the possibilities of using it as a new interaction technique. We focus specifically on building a recognition engine for acoustic sketch recognition. We first propose a dynamic time warping algorithm for recognizing isolated sketch sounds using MFCC(Mel-Frequency Cesptral Coefficients). After analyzing its performance limitations, we propose improved dynamic time warping algorithms which work on a hybrid basis, using both MFCC and four global features including skewness, kurtosis, curviness and peak location. The proposed approaches provide both robustness and decreased computational cost. Finally, we evaluate our algorithms using acoustic data collected by the participants using a device’s built-in microphone. Using our improved algorithm we were able to achieve an accuracy of 90% for a 10 digit gesture set, 87% accuracy for the 26 English characters and over 95% accuracy for a set of seven commonly used gestures.
Diversity Science and Institutional Design

Ideas about diversity and how to deal with difference—for example, to avoid race or attend to it—reside at the center of debates on how to build fair, inclusive, diverse environments. Social-psychological research in diversity science can inform policy makers about the implications of different approaches. Several key patterns emerge: (a) colorblindness sometimes produces more, not less, stereotyping and prejudice, and the opposite generally occurs for multiculturalism, though evidence is mixed; (b) avoiding race generally leads to worse outcomes in interracial interaction; (c) signals of organizational colorblindness generally predict negative outcomes, whereas organizational multiculturalism predicts positive outcomes, except that multicultural approaches can inadvertently send the message of valuing persons of color only for their group identity; (d) practices and policies that encourage colorblindness can leave discrimination undetected, relative to race-conscious approaches, but diversity programs can invoke a fairness illusion; and (e) majority group members may feel excluded or threatened by multicultural approaches to diversity. Overall, although attending to difference may be complicated, ignoring or avoiding it may not be as conducive to building fair, inclusive environments. The article discusses implications for the design of institutions in education, business, and public agencies, such as those that administer public services in housing, juvenile justice, and child protection.
Issues in Global Software Development: A Critical Review

A number of companies have employed Global Software Development (GSD) methodology as a useful tool for their software development practices. GSD is a contractual relationship between client and vendor organizations in which a client outsources all or some part of its software development activities to a vendor. The vendor in return provides the agreed services in lieu of certain amount of remuneration. The main reasons to select the GSD technique include reduced cost, faster development and access to skilled manpower. Though GSD is emerging as an effective technique, but it suffers from many challenges like poor communication, lack of trust and coordination. These challenges pose serious risk to the smooth execution of the GSD projects. In this paper, we present a comparative study on GSD to highlight its merits and demerits. Our findings reveal that much of the research in this area has been focused on addressing issues faced by client organizations, however, vendor side in the GSD relationship is much ignored due to which this area is still immature; and, hence, further research work is required to be undertaken to address the issues faced by the vendor organizations.