Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Special Operations Forces Language and Culture Needs Assessment: Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)

Abstract : This report examined perceptions of the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) from the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community so that feedback can be used to improve the OPI, testing conditions, and the match between language testing, language training, and incentive programs. Results from this study indicated that most SOF operators and leaders who participated in the study had neutral to favorable perceptions of the OPI in terms of its job-relatedness and accuracy. Also, those operators and leaders who supported the testing standard change (i.e., the switch from the Defense Language Proficiency Test to the OPI) agreed more strongly that the OPI accurately assesses and relates to what SOF operators do on missions. However, many SOF operators and leaders agreed that the OPI needed to cover more mission-specific tasks. Future directions with the use of the OPI in the SOF community and general recommendations based on respondent comments are also discussed.
Tamil-English Cross Lingual Information Retrieval System for Agriculture Society

Cross Lingual Information Retrieval (CLIR) system helps the users to pose the query in one language and retrieve the documents in another language. We developed a CLIR system in Agriculture domain for the Farmers of Tamil Nadu which helps them to specify their information need in Tamil and to retrieve the documents in English. In this paper, we address the issue of translating the given query in Tamil to English using Machine Translation approach. It uses a Morphological Analyzer to obtain the root terms of source query. We developed language resources like Bi-lingual Dictionary and Named Entity Recognizer using which the query is translated to English. Local word reordering is performed according to Subject-Verb-Object pattern in order to preserve the relative dependency among the words. Word sense disambiguation is done that identifies the correct sense of an ambiguous word that is being used in a query. The system exhibits a dynamic learning approach wherein any new word that is encountered in the translation process could be updated to the bilingual dictionary. The translated query is given to an existing search engine like Alta Vista, Google, etc. This Machine Translation approach retrieves the pages with Mean Average Precision of 95%. The recall value is also considerably improved.
Expression and function of the TL1A/DR3 axis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A) and its unique receptor death receptor 3 (DR3) acts as broad T-cell costimulator involved in regulatory mechanisms of adaptive immune response under physiological and pathological settings. Moreover, we have recently shown that TL1A negatively regulates B-cell proliferation. Despite increasing interest on the TL1A/DR3-axis functions, very little is known on its expression and role in leukemia. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of TL1A/DR3 axis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). DR3 was differentially expressed in activated CLL cells and predominantly detected in patients with early clinical stage disease. Soluble TL1A has been revealed in the sera of CLL patients where higher TL1A levels were associated with early stage disease. T cells, monocytes and leukemic B cells have been identified as major sources of TL1A in CLL. The relevance of these findings has been sustained by functional data showing that exogenous TL1A reduces CLL proliferation induced by stimulation of the B cell receptor. Overall, these data document the expression of the TL1A/DR3 axis in early-stage CLL. They also identify a novel function for TL1A as a negative regulator of leukemic cell proliferation that may influence the CLL physiopathology and clinical outcome at an early-stage disease.
Fast Charging vs. Slow Charging: Pros and cons for the New Age of Electric Vehicles

This paper presents the issues facing the future widespread use of electric vehicles (EVs) relative to battery charging infrastructure for both fast charging and slow charging. In particular, we discuss: • Charge scheme definitions: What is fast charging? What is slow charging? • Infrastructure requirements and grid impacts: The role of connectors, charger/vehicle communications, time-of-use electricity costs, and grid upgrades/synergies. • The trades between cycle life and charge schemes for the major competing lithium battery chemistries. Pack size versus vehicle cost and charge time. Energy density versus power density. The psychological factors of deploying EV infrastructure that includes both fast and slow charging.
An industrial case study of the impact of requirements engineering on downstream development

Requirements management is being recognized as one of the most important albeit difficult phases in software engineering. The literature repeatedly cites the role of well-defined requirements and requirements management process in problem analysis and project management benefiting software development throughout the life cycle: during design, coding, testing and documentation of software. This paper reports on the findings of an investigation into industrial practice of requirements management process improvement and its effects on downstream development. The evidence reveals a strong relationship between a well-defined requirements process and increased developer productivity, improved project planning through better estimations and enhanced ability for stakeholders to negotiate project scope. These results are important since there is little empirical evidence of the actual benefits of sound requirements practice, in spite of the plethora of claims in the literature. An account of these effects not only adds to our understanding of good requirements practice but also provides strong motivation for software organizations to develop programs for improvement of their requirements processes.
Testing Distributional Hypothesis in Patent Translation

This paper presents a wordlist-based lexical richness approach to testing distributional hypothesis for genre analysis in translation studies. In recent years, there has been continuing interest in patent translation. However, there are only a few lay their interests on comparison between native and non-native writing. The proposed approach to terms distrubution of technical words contained in United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Japan Patent Office (JPO) in terms of lexical variation, lexical density and lexical sophistication, in brief, highlights distributional similarity of technical genre, and in particular, distibutional difference of academic and general genres.
Low Cost, Low Power QRS Detection Module Using PIC

This paper presents an efficient, low cost, low power QRS complexes detection module for ECG analysis. In past lot of research on algorithms for QRS detection has been carried out. All such methods mostly rely on a priori knowledge of the shape of the QRS complexes and general aspects of the ECG. Most of approaches require more CPU time and involve complex mathematics which is difficult to implement for low cost, low power pacemaker design. Moreover, baseline shift, power line interference, muscle noise and other artifacts poses further bottleneck for accurate QRS detection. Detailed analysis of various approaches and their constraints for real time pacemaker application has been done in this paper. A simple, cost competitive smart design has also been proposed. Our solution has very low power requirement and achieves high QRS detection performance without compromising timing accuracy and reliability. To achieve improved QRS detection reliability, various noise components have been attenuated by clever implementation of optimized prefiltering in conjunction with a A/D conversion and Zero-crossing detection. Complete system proposed in this paper has been designed around a PIC microcontroller, Data Acquisition module and a display unit. Proposed design has been tested for extensive data collected from hospitals. Result achieved confirms the design approach illustrated.
SHARDS: AN OPTICAL SPECTRO-PHOTOMETRIC SURVEY OF DISTANT GALAXIES

We present the Survey for High-z Absorption Red and Dead Sources (SHARDS), an ESO/GTC Large Program carried out using the OSIRIS instrument on the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). SHARDS is an ultra-deep optical spectro-photometric survey of the GOODS-N field covering 130 arcmin2 at wavelengths between 500 and 950 nm with 24 contiguous medium-band filters (providing a spectral resolution R ∼ 50). The data reach an AB magnitude of 26.5 (at least at a 3σ level) with sub-arcsec seeing in all bands. SHARDS' main goal is to obtain accurate physical properties of intermediate- and high-z galaxies using well-sampled optical spectral energy distributions (SEDs) with sufficient spectral resolution to measure absorption and emission features, whose analysis will provide reliable stellar population and active galactic nucleus (AGN) parameters. Among the different populations of high-z galaxies, SHARDS' principal targets are massive quiescent galaxies at z > 1, whose existence is one of the major challenges facing current hierarchical models of galaxy formation. In this paper, we outline the observational strategy and include a detailed discussion of the special reduction and calibration procedures which should be applied to the GTC/OSIRIS data. An assessment of the SHARDS data quality is also performed. We present science demonstration results on the detection and study of emission-line galaxies (star-forming objects and AGNs) at z = 0–5. We also analyze the SEDs for a sample of 27 quiescent massive galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts in the range 1.0 < z ≲ 1.4. We discuss the improvements introduced by the SHARDS data set in the analysis of their star formation history and stellar properties. We discuss the systematics arising from the use of different stellar population libraries, typical in this kind of study. Averaging the results from the different libraries, we find that the UV-to-MIR SEDs of the massive quiescent galaxies at z = 1.0–1.4 are well described by an exponentially decaying star formation history with scale τ = 100–200 Myr, age around 1.5–2.0 Gyr, solar or slightly sub-solar metallicity, and moderate extinction, A(V) ∼ 0.5 mag. We also find that galaxies with masses above M* are typically older than lighter galaxies, as expected in a downsizing scenario of galaxy formation. This trend is, however, model dependent, i.e., it is significantly more evident in the results obtained with some stellar population synthesis libraries, and almost absent in others.
A robust approach for salient region detection

Salient region detection deals with finding those regions in an image which gains most of viewer's attention. The various applications of saliency map include robotics, computer vision and data transmission. In this paper, we propose a method based on image contrast which uses poisson distribution. In the proposed approach, we have utilized the fact that if a pixel belongs to salient region then the difference between pixel intensity and mean will be more and if pixel is part of background then this difference will be less. No prior training is required in proposed approach. The proposed approach is evaluated on MSRA dataset and is compared with one of the image contrast based approach and the performance is consistent in terms of recall, precision and execution time.
Deletion and Gene Expression Analyses Define the Paxilline Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Penicillium paxilli

The indole-diterpene paxilline is an abundant secondary metabolite synthesized by Penicillium paxilli. In total, 21 genes have been identified at the PAX locus of which six have been previously confirmed to have a functional role in paxilline biosynthesis. A combination of bioinformatics, gene expression and targeted gene replacement analyses were used to define the boundaries of the PAX gene cluster. Targeted gene replacement identified seven genes, paxG, paxA, paxM, paxB, paxC, paxP and paxQ that were all required for paxilline production, with one additional gene, paxD, required for regular prenylation of the indole ring post paxilline synthesis. The two putative transcription factors, PP104 and PP105, were not co-regulated with the pax genes and based on targeted gene replacement, including the double knockout, did not have a role in paxilline production. The relationship of indole dimethylallyl transferases involved in prenylation of indole-diterpenes such as paxilline or lolitrem B, can be found as two disparate clades, not supported by prenylation type (e.g., regular or reverse). This paper provides insight into the P. paxilli indole-diterpene locus and reviews the recent advances identified in paxilline biosynthesis.
The proposal of the extraction algorithm for desirable skin fractal dimension calculation

In the analysis of textured images using fractal dimension to evaluate the state of human skin, we applied the power spectrum method to estimate the fractal dimension of images of human skin surfaces. We extracted features from these skin images to classify the age and gender. For a good estimation, achieving pictures that include accurate information among taken pictures is necessary. But because of artifact exist in skin image; sometime calculate an accurate fractal dimension is impossible. In addition fractal dimensions calculated from different pictures of the same skin are different together. So in this paper we propose an effective algorithm to skip over images include artifact, and calculate fractal dimension from images without any artifact.
GPU Optimization Techniques Applied to Scale Free Gene Regulatory Networks Based on Threshold Function

This paper describes the use of GPU-specific optimization techniques applied to the problem of simulation of scale free gene regulatory networks based on threshold function on GPU. We made attempts to optimize memory access, change the data structure used to represent the graph, use of stream and ILP (Instruction Level Parallelism) on the implementation made in an earlier work by Campos et al (2011). The optimizations that showed more effectiveness were the change in the representation of the graph, ILP and stream with speedup up to 5.99 times over the previous approach which was also done on GPU.
Suppressive effects of nimesulide, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, on azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in mice.

The effects of nimesulide, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis were investigated in mice. AOM at a dose of 10 mg/kg body wt was administered to male ICR mice once a week for 6 weeks. The animals were fed on AIN-76A powder diet containing nimesulide at doses of 200 or 400 p.p.m. , starting the day before the first carcinogen treatment until the end of the experiment, at week 30. Administration of nimesulide reduced the incidence of colon carcinomas to 32 and 25% for the AOM + 200 and 400 p.p.m. nimesulide groups, respectively, compared with the AOM + basal diet group (50%). Multiplicities of colon carcinomas in the 200 and 400 p.p.m. nimesulide-treated groups were 0.70 +/- 0.28 and 0.35 +/- 0.11, respectively, being significantly smaller than the AOM alone value (1.79 +/- 0.47). The sizes of the colon carcinomas in the nimesulide-treated groups were also decreased. No significant influence on liver and lung tumor development was apparent. Thus, nimesulide exerted a suppressive effect on AOM-induced colon carcinogenesis in mice.
North Atlantic Oscillation modulates total ozone winter trends

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is modulating the Earth's ozone shield such that the calculated anthropogenic total ozone decrease is enhanced over Europe whereas over the North Atlantic region it is reduced (for the last 30 years). Including the NAO in a statistical model suggests a more uniform chemical winter trend compared to the strong longitudinal variation reported earlier. At Arosa (Switzerland) the trend is reduced to −2.4% per decade compared to −3.2% and at Reykjavik (Iceland) it is enhanced to −3.8% compared to 0%. The revised trend is slightly below the predictions by 2D chemical models. Decadal ozone variability is linked to variations in the dynamical structure of the atmosphere, as reflected in the tropopause pressure. The latter varies in concert with the NAO index with a distinct geographical pattern.
Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. It is the only cause of death among the top ten causes that is increasing and is expected to become the third leading cause of death in the world by 2020. A diagnosis of COPD should be considered in any patient with a history of exposure to risk factors for the disease and/or the presence of chronic cough, sputum production or dyspnea. Patients with COPD are categorized into 5 stages based on their pulmonary function tests and symptoms. Smoking cessation is the single most effective way to stop the progression of COPD and prolong life. Pharmacologic management of stable COPD includes the use of bronchodilators (β-2 agonists, anticholinergics and methylxanthines) and inhaled corticosteroids. Other adjunctive measures include vaccination, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and certain surgical measures like bullectomy and lung transplantation. Management of acute exacerbations includes the use of systemic steroids, antibiotics, bronchodilators and oxygen therapy. During very severe exacerbations, patients may need ventilatory support.
Experimental Uncertainty in Estimation of the Losses and Efficiency of Induction Motors

This paper presents an analytical study of experimental uncertainties in determining the losses and efficiency of induction motors. Existing testing standards vary in methodology, procedure and required instrumentation accuracy, leading to the possibility of significant differences in experimentally determined efficiency for the same motor tested to the same standard at different test sites as well as differences in the accuracy between different standards. This paper investigates these uncertainties and their respective weighted influence on the losses and efficiency and then proposes a realistic perturbation-based estimation (RPBE) method which incorporates all the significant error sources in finding the overall accuracy of loss and efficiency estimations with regard to the method and instrumentation used. The aim of this paper is to assist in interpretation of measured efficiency data and in guiding mitigation measures to be taken to improve accuracy cost-effectively
Online Fan Fiction, Global Identities, and Imagination

Based on longitudinal data from a three year ethnographic study, this article uses discourse analytic methods to explore the literacy and social practices of three adolescent English language learners writing in an online fan fiction community. Theoretical constructs within globalization and literacy studies are used to describe the influences of new media and technologies on modern configurations of imagination, identity, communication, and writing. Findings suggest that
Multicore speedup models using frequency scaling with fixed power budget

Utilization of a core with delay faults by frequency scaling reduces performance degradation in a multicore processor. When the frequency of a delay fault core is decreased, frequencies of the rest cores can be increased within a fixed power budget since the amount of dynamic power is proportional to the clock frequency. We propose two speedup models based on modified Amdahl's law for the frequency scaling of a multicore architecture. From the models, we derive an attainable maximum speedup of a multicore processor with a delay fault core.
Dynamic measurement of accommodative responses while viewing stereoscopic images

Using video refraction accommodative and convergence dynamic responses were measured to stepped changes in convergence stimuli with unchanged accommodative stimuli (conflicting stereoscopic image) and compared with responses to non-conflicting target stimuli. Three targets were used that varied in their spatial frequency components. An accommodative transient overshoot was evident in four out of seven subjects for only conflicting stimuli. One showed accommodative and convergence oscillation probably due to difficulty in fusing the stereoscopic target when it had a higher spatial component, however, this oscillation diminished when the target was spatial low-pass filtered. We hypothesise that transient responses to step stimuli is initiated by convergence-driven accommodation and subsequently followed by slower fine-control of accommodation modulated by the amount of blur. Inter-subject differences in convergence-driven accommodation may also be a factor to consider. For stereoscopic stimuli, it is proposed that the increase in blur immediately after the onset of the accommodative response inhibits cessation of the response.
DYNAMICAL MASS OF THE M8+M8 BINARY 2MASS J22062280 − 2047058AB,,,

We present Keck laser guide star adaptive optics imaging of the M8+M8 binary 2MASS J2206 − 2047AB. Together with archival Hubble Space Telescope, Gemini-North, and Very Large Telescope data, our observations span 8.3 yr of the binary's 35+6−5 yr orbital period, and we determine a total dynamical mass of 0.15+0.05−0.03 M☉, with the uncertainty dominated by the parallax error. Using the measured total mass and individual luminosities, the Tucson and Lyon evolutionary models both give an age for the system of 0.4+9.6−0.2 Gyr, which is consistent with its thin disk space motion derived from the Besançon Galactic structure model. Our mass measurement combined with the Tucson (Lyon) evolutionary models also yields precise effective temperatures, giving 2660+90−100 K and 2640+90−100 K (2550+90−100 K and 2530+90−100 K) for components A and B, respectively. These temperatures are in good agreement with estimates for other M8 dwarfs (from the infrared flux method and the M8 mass benchmark LHS 2397aA), but atmospheric model fitting of the integrated-light spectrum gives hotter temperatures of 2800 ± 100 K for both components. This modest discrepancy can be explained by systematic errors in the atmospheric models or by a slight underestimation of the distance (and thus, mass and age) of the system. We also find that the observed near-infrared colors and magnitudes do not agree with those predicted by the Lyon Dusty models, given the known mass of the system.
Architecture of a Charge-Transfer State Regulating Light Harvesting in a Plant Antenna Protein

Energy-dependent quenching of excess absorbed light energy (qE) is a vital mechanism for regulating photosynthetic light harvesting in higher plants. All of the physiological characteristics of qE have been positively correlated with charge transfer between coupled chlorophyll and zeaxanthin molecules in the light-harvesting antenna of photosystem II (PSII). We found evidence for charge-transfer quenching in all three of the individual minor antenna complexes of PSII (CP29, CP26, and CP24), and we conclude that charge-transfer quenching in CP29 involves a delocalized state of an excitonically coupled chlorophyll dimer. We propose that reversible conformational changes in CP29 can “tune” the electronic coupling between the chlorophylls in this dimer, thereby modulating the energy of the chlorophyll-zeaxanthin charge-transfer state and switching on and off the charge-transfer quenching during qE.