Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rewriting declarative query languages

Queries against databases are formulated in declarative languages. Examples are the relational query language SQL and XPath or XQuery for querying data stored in XML. Using a declarative query language, the querist does not need to know about or decide on anything about the actual strategy a system uses to answer the query. Instead, the system can freely choose among the algorithms it employs to answer a query. Predominantly, query processing in the relational context is accomplished using a relational algebra. To this end, the query is translated into a logical algebra. The algebra consists of logical operators which facilitate the application of various optimization techniques. For example, logical algebra expressions can be rewritten in order to yield more efficient expressions. In order to query XML data, XPath and XQuery have been developed. Both are declarative query languages and, hence, can benefit from powerful optimizations. For instance, they could be evaluated using an algebraic framework. However, in general, the existing approaches are not directly utilizable for XML query processing. This thesis has two goals. The first goal is to overcome the above-mentioned misfits of XML query processing, making it ready for industrial-strength settings. Specifically, we develop an algebraic framework that is designed for the efficient evaluation of XPath and XQuery. To this end, we define an order-aware logical algebra and a translation of XPath into this algebra. Furthermore, based on the resulting algebraic expressions, we present rewrites in order to speed up the execution of such queries. The second goal is to investigate rewriting techniques in the relational context. To this end, we present rewrites based on algebraic equivalences that unnest nested SQL queries with disjunctions. Specifically, we present equivalences for unnesting algebraic expressions with bypass operators to handle disjunctive linking and correlation. Our approach can be applied to quantified table subqueries as well as scalar subqueries. For all our results, we present experiments that demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed approaches.
Pronunciation Proﬁciency Estimation Based on Multilayer Regression Analysis Using Speaker-independent Structural Features

Teachers can assess the pronunciations of students independently of extra-linguistic features such as age and gender observed in the students’ utterances. This capacity is, however, difﬁcult to realize on machines because linguistic differences and extra-linguistic differences change acoustic features commonly. Therefore, the performance of automatic pronunciation assessment is inevitably affected by the extra-linguistic features. Recently, we proposed acoustic features that are independent of extra-linguistic factors, called structural features and realized a technique for pronunciation proﬁciency estimation that is extremely robust to these factors. In this paper, we extend this technique with multilayer regression analysis, where supervised learning is done at each layer by using teachers’ scores of that layer. Experiments of estimating the proﬁciency show that higher correlations between teachers and machines are obtained compared to our previous structure-based assessment.
CAMERA CALIBRATION TECHNIQUE USING TSAI'S ALGORITHM

This Paper deals with camera calibration system based on Tsai’s algorithm and from that calibration data we obtain the depth information of an object in stereovision system. Tsai’s method for camera calibration recovers the interior orientation ( intrinsic parameters ), the exterior orientation ( extrinsic parameters ) , the power series coefficients for distortion, and an image scale factor that best fit the measured image coordinates corresponding to known target point coordinates. For recovering the depth estimation in stereovision systems two cameras are used and should be calibrated both properly. Without information about the relative positions of the two cameras, stereovision becomes less important. The relative positions of the two cameras are necessary for rectification of the images.
Testing the Informational Efficiency of OTC Options on Emerging Market Currencies

This paper analyzes the informational efficiency of OTC currency options on the Czech koruna and the Polish zloty correcting for the volatility risk premium and errors-in-variable problems, using state-of-the-art techniques (Chernov 2001). It finds that these markets are more efficient than mature markets possibly because of higher relative participation of informed dedicated investors, which offset the effects of relative illiquidity and higher transaction costs in these countries. Moreover, implied volatilities generally anticipate the direction of volatility correctly, with a bias to overpredicting volatility increases reflecting one-sided markets.
On the Formation of Galaxy Halos: Comparing NGC 5128 and the Local Group Members

The metallicity distribution function (MDF) for the old red giant stars in the halo of NGC 5128, the nearest giant elliptical galaxy, is virtually identical with the MDF for the old-disk stars in the LMC and also strongly resembles the halo MDF in M31. These galaxies all have high mean halo metallicities (⟨m/H⟩ ≃ -0.4) with very small proportions of low-metallicity stars. These observations reinforce the view that metal-rich halos are quite normal for large galaxies of all types. Such systems are unlikely to build up by accretion of preexisting gas-free small satellite galaxies, unless these satellites had an extremely shallow mass distribution (Δ log N/Δ log M≳ -1). We suggest that the halo of NGC 5128 is more likely to have assembled from hierarchical merging of gas-rich lumps in which the bulk of star formation took place during or after the merger stage.
Evaluation of Psychoactive Substance Use Disorder Treatment Who World Health Organization Undcp United Nations International Drug Control Programme Emcdda European Monitoring Center on Drugs and Drug Addiction World Health Organization, 2000 Evaluation of Psychoactive Substance Use Disorder Treatmen

c This document is not a formal publication of the World Health Organization (WHO) and all rights are reserved by the Organization. The document may, however, be freely reviewed, abstracted, reproduced and translated, in part or in whole but not for sale nor for use in conjunction with commercial purposes. The views expressed in documents by named authors are solely the responsibility of those authors. Acknowledgements The World Health Organization gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the numerous individuals involved in the preparation of this workbook series, including the experts who provided useful comments during its development for the Substance Abuse Department, directed by Dr. Mary Jansen. Financial assistance was provided by UNDCP/EMCDDA/Swiss Federal Office for Public Health. Christine Godfrey (United Kingdom) wrote the original text for this workbook, and Brian Rush (Canada) edited the workbook series in earlier stages. JoAnne Epping-Jordan (Switzerland) wrote further text modifications and edited the workbook series in later stages. Munira Lalji (WHO, Substance Abuse Department) and Jen-nifer Hillebrand (WHO, Substance Abuse Department) also edited the workbook series in later stages. This workbook's case examples were written (WHO, Substance Abuse Department) provided editorial input throughout the development of this workbook series. Overview of workbook series 6 What is a process evaluation? 7 Why do a cost evaluation? 7 How to do a cost evaluation:general steps 8 1. Identify the costs associated with PSU services 8 2. Measure resource use per unit of activity level 9 3. Value this unit of activity 10 One additional point: Allocating costs to units of activity-top down or bottom up? 11 Evaluation type 1: how to do cost evaluations within one agency 12 1. Outline the purpose of the study 12 2. Describe the service and interventions 13 3. Identify the resources needed for each intervention/unit of care 13 4. Collect and collate available data 14 5. Develop an analysis plan 14 6. Conduct new data collection 15 7. Conduct full analysis 16 Evaluation type 2: how to do cost evaluations across different provider agencies 17 Evaluation type 3: how to do cost evaluations of wider social costs of PSU interventions 18 Identifying the range of costs 18 Measurement and valuation issues 19 Its your turn 20 Conclusion and a practical recommendation 22 References 23 Comments about case examples 24 Case example of a cost evaluation 27 The drug abuse treatment cost analysis program 27 Its your turn 36 References 37 …
An R Package for Probabilistic Latent Feature Analysis of Two-Way Two-Mode Frequencies

A common strategy for the analysis of object-attribute associations is to derive a low- dimensional spatial representation of objects and attributes which involves a compensatory model (e.g., principal components analysis) to explain the strength of object-attribute associations. As an alternative, probabilistic latent feature models assume that objects and attributes can be represented as a set of binary latent features and that the strength of object-attribute associations can be explained as a non-compensatory (e.g., disjunctive or conjunctive) mapping of latent features. In this paper, we describe the R package plfm which comprises functions for conducting both classical and Bayesian probabilistic latent feature analysis with disjunctive or a conjunctive mapping rules. Print and summary functions are included to summarize results on parameter estimation, model selection and the goodness of fit of the models. As an example the functions of plfm are used to analyze product-attribute data on the perception of car models, and situation-behavior associations on the situational determinants of anger-related behavior.
Detection and extraction of buildings from interferometric SAR data

The authors present a complete procedure for the extraction and characterization of building structures starting from the three-dimensional (3D) terrain elevation data provided by interferometric SAR measurements. Each building is detected and isolated from the surroundings by means of a suitably modified machine vision approach, originally developed for range image segmentation. The procedure is based on a local approximation of the 3D data by means of best-fitting planes. In this way, a building footprint, height and position, as well as its description with a simple 3D model, are recovered by a self-consistent partitioning of the topographic surface reconstructed from interferometric radar data.
Program Evaluation, Performance Budgeting and PART: The U.S. Federal Government Experience

An examination of the history of budget reform in the United States indicates a perpetual tug of war between the executive and legislative branches of government for power. But surprisingly, in spite of this highly charged political process, there exists a consistent and common thread of concern for improving government performance and a desire to inject more “rationality” (measurement and evaluation) into budgeting decisions. In the past century, U.S. federal budget reforms have been centralizing (the Budget Act of 1921), activity-based (performance budgeting of the 1950s), focused on program evaluation (PPBS in the 1960s), management-oriented (MBO in the early 1970s), bottom-up (ZBB in the mid-1970s), draconian (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings of the 1980s), and concerned with results (GPRA in the 1990s). Unfortunately, establishing a direct link between and among performance measurement, program evaluation and final appropriations remains elusive. In the U.S. today, the stakes have become too significant and entrenched. The sheer size of the U.S. federal budget as well as the dramatic change in the nature of federal expenditures (from predominantly supporting government administration to funding transfer payments to individuals) ups the ante of the politics of the public budgeting process. Perhaps more importantly, the overwhelming U.S. federal deficit and debt simply overshadow consideration of performance as the President and Congress mull over literally billions of dollars in cuts to the current and next fiscal year budgets.
Dietary strategies for improving iron status: balancing safety and efficacy

In light of evidence that high-dose iron supplements lead to a range of adverse events in low-income settings, the safety and efficacy of lower doses of iron provided through biological or industrial fortification of foodstuffs is reviewed. First, strategies for point-of-manufacture chemical fortification are compared with biofortification achieved through plant breeding. Recent insights into the mechanisms of human iron absorption and regulation, the mechanisms by which iron can promote malaria and bacterial infections, and the role of iron in modifying the gut microbiota are summarized. There is strong evidence that supplemental iron given in nonphysiological amounts can increase the risk of bacterial and protozoal infections (especially malaria), but the use of lower quantities of iron provided within a food matrix, ie, fortified food, should be safer in most cases and represents a more logical strategy for a sustained reduction of the risk of deficiency by providing the best balance of risk and benefits. Further research into iron compounds that would minimize the availability of unabsorbed iron to the gut microbiota is warranted.
Measuring price expectations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to estimate the expectations component contained in the asking price of residential property, in order to assess whether expectation plays a relevant role in house price appreciation. The paper tests the role of housing characteristics and value perception on asking price.Design/methodology/approach – The hypothesis tested in this paper is that asking price of residential properties includes an element of price expectation. The analysis utilises a valuation database of about 1,900,000 records for the Spanish housing market, each record contains information on the price that owners expect to obtain on the sale of their property and housing and neighbourhood characteristics. There are three stages to the analysis. Regression analysis is used to estimate the hedonic models and separate that part of the price arising from housing heterogeneity, a two‐stage least squares model estimates the role of expectations and a metadata approach measures those characteristics that e.
Genetic influences on psychological well-being: a nationally representative twin study.

OBJECTIVE Psychological well-being, or eudaimonia, features strongly in theories of human development and thriving. However, the factors of eudaimonia are debated, and their genetic architecture has not been studied in detail. METHOD A classical twin design was used to decompose behavioral variance into genetic and environmental components implemented in a multigroup, multivariate structural equation modeling framework. Subjects were 837 pairs of adult U.S. twins from the nationally representative MIDUS II sample. Psychological well-being was measured using the 42-item Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale, which assesses autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. RESULTS Substantial genetic influences were observed on all components of well-being. Attempts to model these six factors as reflecting a single common psychological mechanism gave a poor fit to the data. The best-fitting model supported the existence of five distinct genetic effects. Effects of shared environment were weak and nonsignificant. Unique environmental effects for all measures were mostly trait specific. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that psychological well-being is underpinned by a general genetic factor influencing self-control, and four underlying biological mechanisms enabling the psychological capabilities of purpose, agency, growth, and positive social relations.
A comparative Study of Outlier Mining and Class Outlier Mining

Outliers can significantly affect data mining performance. Outlier mining is an important issue in knowledge discovery and data mining and has attracted increasing interests in recent years. Class outlier is promising research direction. Few researches have been done in this direction. The paper theme has two main goals: the first one is to show the significance of Class Outlier Mining by discussing a comparative study between a Class Outlier detection method called Class Outlier Distance Based (CODB) and a conventional Outlier detection method. The second goal is to introduce Enhanced Class Outlier Distance Based (ECODB) algorithm which is enhancement of CODB algorithm. ECODB reduces CODB parameters using a heuristic approach. The experimental results show that CODB can detect Class Outliers that cannot be detected using conventional Outlier detection methods. The experiments also show that ECODB works efficiently as CODB.
Host/Microbe Interactions Revealed Through “Omics” in the Symbiosis Between the Hawaiian Bobtail Squid Euprymna scolopes and the Bioluminescent Bacterium Vibrio fischeri

The association between Euprymna scolopes, the Hawaiian bobtail squid, and Vibrio fischeri, a bioluminescent bacterium, has served as a model for beneficial symbioses for over 25 years. The experimental tractability of this association has helped researchers characterize many of the colonization events necessary for symbiosis. Recent technological advances, such as the sequenced genome of V. fischeri, DNA microarrays, and high-throughput transcriptomics and proteomics, have allowed for the identification of host and symbiont factors that are important in establishing and maintaining specificity in the association. We highlight some of these findings pertaining to quorum sensing, luminescence, responses to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, recognition of microbe-associated molecular patterns by the innate immune system of the host, and a diel rhythm that helps regulate the symbiont population. We also discuss how comparative genomics has allowed the identification of symbiont factors important for specificity and why sequencing the host’s genome should be a priority for the research community.
ROUTING OF AIRPLANES TO TWO RUNWAYS: MONOTONICITY OF OPTIMAL CONTROLS

We consider the problem of routing incoming airplanes to two runways of an airport. Due to air turbulence, the necessary separation time between two successive landing operations depends on the type of airplane. When viewed as a queuing problem, this means that we have dependent service times. The aim is to minimize the waiting times of aircrafts. We consider here a model in which arrivals form a stochastic process and the decision-maker does not know anything about future arrivals. We formulate this as a problem of stochastic dynamic programming and investigate the monotonicity of optimal routing strategies with respect to the workload of the runways, for example. We show that an optimal strategy is monotone (i.e., of switching type) only in a restricted case where decisions depend on the state of the runways only and not on the type of the arriving aircraft. Surprisingly, in the more realistic case where this type is also known to the decision-maker, monotonicity need not hold.
Automatic Balancing Chord: A Dynamic Load Balancing Mechanism for High Efficient

This paper presents a distributed lookup protocol named Automatic Balancing Chord(ABC) to solve load imbalance problems in distributed system. Load balancing problems in P2P environment have an important impact on the performance of P2P applications, which are probably caused by allocation of the peer address space, the difference of load size, query uneven distribution and so on. This paper proposes the ABC scheme can efficiently solve the load imbalance problems. It also has the advantage of average 1-2 hops of lookup and better effect of load balancing. Our experiments results showed the effect of load balancing under different P2P applications condition.
MSEA: Modified Symmetric Encryption Algorithm

uses a known decryption process to recover the sender’s original message. If Abstract: In this article, a new symmetric block cipher named MSEA is proposed. MSEA is based on ARX cryptographic design technique. MSEA is simple in nature due to the use of combinations of elementary operations like modular addition, bit-wise rotation and bit-wise XOR. In MSEA, plain text block, secret key, and number of encryption rounds are variable in size, while the size of cipher text is double of size of plain text. Data-dependant rotation is the most vital feature of MSEA through which the unpredictability of encrypted text is increasing. Key formation and encryption/decryption schemes of MSEA are significantly fast.
Awareness and Interest in Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Use among HIV-Positive Women in Cape Town, South Africa

Objective. To assess awareness of and interest in intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) use among HIV-positive women in Cape Town, South Africa. Design. Cross-sectional survey. Methods. HIV-positive women aged 18 through 45 years presenting for care at a primary health care clinic in Cape Town, South Africa participated in this study. Consented participants completed a staff-administered questionnaire in a private setting. Descriptive statistics were generated. Comparisons between demographic and reproductive health-related variables and IUCD awareness and interest were performed with multiple logistic regression. Analyses for IUCD interest excluded women with prior surgical sterilization. Results. Of 277 HIV-positive women, 37% were aware of the IUCD; awareness was independently associated with greater age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.15, 95%; confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.20) and not switching contraceptive methods in the last year (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.03–5.83). Following an IUCD information session, 86% of women (n = 206/240) were interested in IUCD use. IUCD interest was inversely associated with age (AOR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86–0.97) and marginally positively associated with current menstrual bleeding pattern complaints (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI: 0.98–4.68). Conclusions. Despite low levels of method awareness, HIV-positive women in this setting are frequently interested in IUCD use, indicating need for programming to expand method access.
The role of apoptosis in response to photodynamic therapy: what, where, why, and how

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a treatment for cancer and for certain benign conditions, utilizes a photosensitizer and light to produce reactive oxygen in cells. PDT is primarily employed to kill tumor and other abnormal cells, so it is important to ask how this occurs. Many of the photosensitizers currently in clinical or pre-clinical studies of PDT localize in or have a major influence on mitochondria, and PDT is a strong inducer of apoptosis in many situations. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate all of the recently published research on PDT-induced apoptosis, with a focus on studies providing mechanistic insights. Components of the mechanism whereby PDT causes cells to undergo apoptosis are becoming understood, as are the influences of several signal transduction pathways on the response. Future research should be directed to elucidating the role(s) of the multiple steps in apoptosis in directing damaged cells to an apoptotic vs. necrotic pathway and for producing tumor ablation in conjunction with tissue-level mechanisms operating in vivo .