Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Random Matrix-Based Approach for Dependency Detection from Data Streams

This paper describes a novel approach to detect correlation from data streams in the context of MobiMine, an experimental mobile data mining system. It presents a brief description of the MobiMine and identifies the problem of detecting dependencies among stocks from incrementally observed financial data streams. This is a non-trivial problem since the stock-market data is inherently noisy and small incremental volumes of data makes the estimation process more vulnerable to noise. This paper presents EDS, a technique to estimate the correlation matrix from data streams by exploiting some properties of the distribution of eigenvalues for random matrices. It separates the “information” from the “noise” by comparing the eigen-spectrum generated from the observed data with that of random matrices. The comparison immediately leads to a decomposition of the covariance matrix into two matrices: one capturing the “noise” and the other capturing useful “information. ” The paper also presents experimental results using Nasdaq 100 stock data.
Reconstructing grassland fire history using sedimentary charcoal: Considering count, size and shape

Fire is a key Earth system process, with 80% of annual fire activity taking place in grassland areas. However, past fire regimes in grassland systems have been difficult to quantify due to challenges in interpreting the charcoal signal in depositional environments. To improve reconstructions of grassland fire regimes, it is essential to assess two key traits: (1) charcoal count, and (2) charcoal shape. In this study, we quantified the number of charcoal pieces in 51 sediment samples of ponds in the Great Plains and tested its relevance as a proxy for the fire regime by examining 13 potential factors influencing charcoal count, including various fire regime components (e.g. the fire frequency, the area burned, and the fire season), vegetation cover and pollen assemblages, and climate variables. We also quantified the width to length (W:L) ratio of charcoal particles, to assess its utility as a proxy of fuel types in grassland environments by direct comparison with vegetation cover and pollen assemblages. Our first conclusion is that charcoal particles produced by grassland fires are smaller than those produced by forest fires. Thus, a mesh size of 120μm as used in forested environments is too large for grassland ecosystems. We recommend counting all charcoal particles over 60μm in grasslands and mixed grass-forest environments to increase the number of samples with useful data. Second, a W:L ratio of 0.5 or smaller appears to be an indicator for fuel types, when vegetation surrounding the site is before composed of at least 40% grassland vegetation. Third, the area burned within 1060m of the depositional environments explained both the count and the area of charcoal particles. Therefore, changes in charcoal count or charcoal area through time indicate a change in area burned. The fire regimes of grassland systems, including both human and climatic influences on fire behavior, can be characterized by long-term charcoal records.
Accurate interconnect modeling: Towards multi-million transistor chips as microwave circuits

In this paper we discuss concepts and techniques for the accurate and efficient modeling and extraction of interconnect parasitics in VLSI designs. Due to increasing operating frequencies, microwave-like effects will become important. Therefore stronger demands are put on extraction and verification tools. We indicate the state-of-the-art for capacitance, resistance and substrate resistance extraction and discuss some open problems. We also discuss several model reduction techniques as well as issues related to simulation and implementation in a CAD system.
Assessment of community pharmacists' counselling skills on headache management by using the simulated patient approach: a pilot study

Background Headache, or cephalalgia, is one of the 20 most disabling diseases in the world and affects a large portion of the world's population. People generally use over-the-counter medications to treat headaches and other minor symptoms. A pharmacist should help patients choose the most effective, safe, and convenient pharmacotherapeutic option. Objective To assess the counselling skills of community pharmacists for headache management by using the simulated patient approach. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2010 to July 2010. Data were obtained from a convenience sample consisting of one pharmacist from each of the 24 participating community pharmacies. In order to evaluate the pharmacists' counselling skills, a simulated patient role played a standardized headache case requesting self-medication. The interactions of the simulated patient with the pharmacists were audiovisually recorded using a hidden micro camera, and these recordings were analysed using a validated questionnaire. Results Of the 24 evaluated pharmacists, 19 (79.1%) were women. Information was spontaneously provided by 15 (62.5%) pharmacists. At least one question was asked by the pharmacist to assess the signs and symptoms. Most pharmacists (n=17, 70.8%) recommended sodium dipyrone, either alone or in combination with other drugs. The most discussed items in the simulation visits were contraindications (n=17, 70.8%), indications (n=10, 41.6%), and drug administration times (n=8, 33.3%). None of the pharmacists recommended any non-pharmacological therapeutic alternatives. The overall impressions of the pharmacists' professional counselling skills ranged from poor to fair. Conclusions This study showed that the pharmacists' counselling skills and the guidance provided by the pharmacists to the simulated patient were insufficient for the satisfactory management of headache.
Parameters tuning of model free adaptive control based on minimum entropy

Dynamic linearization based model free adaptive control (MFAC) algorithm has been widely used in practical systems, in which some parameters should be tuned before it is successfully applied to process industries. Considering the random noise existing in real processes, a parameter tuning method based on minimum entropy optimization is proposed, and the feature of entropy is used to accurately describe the system uncertainty. For cases of Gaussian stochastic noise and non-Gaussian stochastic noise, an entropy recursive optimization algorithm is derived based on approximate model or identified model. The extensive simulation results show the effectiveness of the minimum entropy optimization for the partial form dynamic linearization based MFAC. The parameters tuned by the minimum entropy optimization index shows stronger stability and more robustness than these tuned by other traditional index, such as integral of the squared error (ISE) or integral of time-weighted absolute error (ITAE), when the system stochastic noise exists.
An importance sampling method for portfolio CVaR estimation with Gaussian copula models

We developed an importance sampling method to estimate Conditional Value-at-Risk for portfolios in which inter-dependent asset losses are modeled via a Gaussian copula model. Our method constructs an importance sampling distribution by shifting the latent variables of the Gaussian copula and thus can handle arbitrary marginal asset distributions. It admits an intuitive geometric explanation and is easy to implement. We also present numerical experiments that confirm its superior performance compared to the naive approach.
Space, Agency, and Withdrawal: Birth Control Choices of Women in Turkey

Withdrawal (WD) is not a reliable method for preventing unwanted pregnancies, yet it is still a very popular form of birth control in many societies, including Turkey. We look at the relationship between women's agency and physical space in relation to birth control choices of women in Turkey. Agency in our context refers to a woman's ability to resist domination and subordination to the patriarchal beliefs valuing her reproductivity over her pleasure. Our analysis of the Turkish Demographic Health Survey (TDHS) suggests that (a) the available space in the household for possible private encounters between husband and wife, and (b) the women's capacity to insert her agency into her life choices are closely correlated with WD choices. Women with better social and physical resources prefer WD less.
High Resolution Differential Interferometry using Time Series of ERS and Envisat SAR Data

During the last ten years, a long history of data has been acquired by the SAR sensors on board the ERS-1 and ERS-2 satellites offering a wide range of interferometric applications. With the launch of ENVISAT in 2002, the more advanced SAR (ASAR) has given continuity to the success of the remote sensing mission of the ERS satellites by ensuring and increasing the value of the archived ERS data. The subject of this study under ESA’s 3 Announcement of Opportunities is to demonstrate the continuity of the interferometric measurements obtained from the combination of long temporal series of SAR differential interferograms in order to derive small subsidence displacements. The implemented technique makes use of either ERS SAR or ASAR differential phase measurements to generate long term terrain movement maps with the same resolution as the original SAR images without spatial interpolation. The algorithm is capable to use all the available phase information even in conditions of large baselines or platform instabilities giving place to large Doppler centroid variations. Such artifacts are handled by precise location estimate of the scatter within the pixel and accurate elevation extraction. One interesting by-product of this technique is the interpretation of the DEM errors as an approximation of a DSM (Digital Surface Model) in urban and peri-urban environments and the use of such measurements to improve precise target positioning. Continuity on the displacements measured from both sensors after atmospheric artifacts removal and some validation data will be presented in the results obtained over the city of Barcelona.
Survey of Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Egg Parasitoids in Wheat, Soybean, and Vegetable Crops in Southeast Virginia

ABSTRACT Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) cause significant damage to many different crops and horticultural commodities in Virginia. However, little is known about the species diversity or impact of stink bug egg parasitoids in the state. A survey was conducted in 2005 and 2006 (May through September) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), and several vegetable crops by collecting natural egg masses of various stink bug species and by monitoring sentinel egg masses. A total of 570 Euschistus servus (Say) eggs in 26 egg masses, 11,197 Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) eggs in 939 egg masses, 15 Podisus maculiventris (Say) eggs in 2 egg masses, and 546 Acrosternum hilare (Say) eggs in 18 egg masses were field collected and returned to the laboratory, where emerging parasitoids were identified to species. In addition, 2,512 laboratory-reared E. servus eggs and 230 P. maculiventris eggs were placed as sentinels into crop fields and collected after 7 d, and parasitoid or stink bug emergence was recorded. Four species of hymenopteran parasitoids in the family Scelionidae were recovered from stink bug eggs: Telenomus podisi Ashmead, Trissolcus basalis Wollaston, Trissolcus edessae Fouts, and Trissolcus euschisti Ashmead. In addition, one parasitoid in the family Mymaridae (Hymenoptera) was recovered. Parasitism rates were highest in E. servus with 89.7 and 49.2% of egg masses and individual eggs parasitized, respectively. The predominant parasitoid species was T. podisi.
Analysis and Improvement of AC-BM Algorithm in Intrusion Detection System

The advantage of the AC-BM algorithm is that it can conduct the matching search of multiple pattern strings simultaneously and the shift of the text string is optimized. However, it can only conduct the search in one text string at a time. In order to realize the search in multiple text strings simultaneously at a time, the multi-objective AC-BM algorithm is designed in the paper. With the automaton union operation technology, the multi-objective multi-pattern tree automaton is constructed; and with the bad character shift technology of the BM algorithm, the shift of text string set is calculated. In the Snort system, the 2-objective AC-BM algorithm and the 3-objective AC-BM algorithm is realized respectively. Experiment results show that the improved algorithms are obviously superior to the AC-BM algorithm regarding time property on the condition that if a pattern string is found in multiple text strings, the algorithm will stop (indicating that an attack is detected) .
Sequential administration of sargramostim and filgrastim in pediatric allogeneic stem cell transplantation recipients undergoing myeloablative conditioning †

Abstract: G‐CSF and GM‐CSF both hasten myeloid engraftment post‐MA‐alloSCT; however, GM‐CSF is earlier acting and less expensive. The objective was to evaluate efficacy/safety of sequential administration of GM‐CSF followed by G‐CSF in children post‐MA‐alloSCT. From January 2001 to June 2005, 31 children received 32 MA‐alloSCT: mean age 6.65 yr; MRD BM or PBSC vs. related or unrelated UCB 11:21; malignant vs. non‐malignant disorders 22:10. GM‐CSF (250 μg/m2 IV QD) began on day of stem cell infusion. GM‐CSF was switched to G‐CSF (10 μg/kg IV QD) when WBC ≥ 300/mm3 × 2 days. G‐CSF continued until ANC ≥ 2500/mm3 × 2 days, then tapered to maintain ANC ≥ 1000/mm3. Median time to myeloid engraftment (ANC ≥ 500/mm3 × 3 days) was 17 days [13 days vs. 24 days, MRD BM/PBSC vs. UCB (p < 0.0001)], occurring at a median time of two days after switch to G‐CSF. Clinically relevant adverse events were bone pain (n = 8) and large pleural effusion (n = 1). It was estimated that sequential GM‐CSF/G‐CSF was cost‐effective compared with G‐CSF alone [cost‐savings of $1311/patient ($41,952/study), 2007 Red Book™ Average Wholesale Price]. In summary, it was demonstrated that sequential administration of GM‐CSF/G‐CSF post‐MA‐alloSCT was safe, cost‐effective and resulted in prompt myeloid engraftment.
Citation for Published Item: Use Policy Reducing Regression Test Size by Exclusion

expected to adhere to the terms and constraints invoked by each author's copyright. In most cases, these works may not be reposted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from the IEEE. The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. Abstract Operational software is constantly evolving. Regression testing is used to identify the unintended consequences of evolutionary changes. As most changes affect only a small proportion of the system, the challenge is to ensure that the regression test set is both safe (all relevant tests are used) and inclusive (only relevant tests are used). Previous approaches to reducing test sets struggle to find safe and inclusive tests by looking only at the changed code. We use decomposition program slicing to safely reduce the size of regression test sets by identifying those parts of a system that could not have been affected by a change; this information will then direct the selection of regression tests by eliminating tests that are not relevant to the change. The technique properly accounts for additions and deletions of code. We extend and use Rothermel and Harrold's framework for measuring the safety of regression test sets and introduce a new safety and precision measures that do not require a priori knowledge of the exact number of modification revealing tests. We then analytically evaluate and compare our techniques for producing reduced regression test sets.
Ambidexterity and magical ideation

In a sample of 250 healthy undergraduate students, scores on a scale of magical ideation rose to a peak at the point of ambilaterality on a scale of hand preference, and fell away with increasing right- or left-handedness. This effect mirrors that reported by Crow, Crow, Done, and Leask (1998) who found a dip in academic abilities at the point of ambilaterality, or what they call ''the point of hemispheric indecision''. We relate these findings to genetic theories of laterality in which one allele (RS+) codes for left-cerebral dominance while the other (RS-) leaves laterality to chance. RS-- homozygotes may be susceptible to a lack of dominance, resulting in a disposition to magical ideation and an increased risk of schizophrenia, but also enhanced creativity and lateral thinking.
Non-linear aperture for stylized depth of field

We introduce in this paper non-linear apertures that produce stylized depth of field from lightfield data. A non linear aperture is similar in spirit to the conventional aperture of a camera, except that it replaces the blur of shallow depth of field by a more complex detail removal filtering. The resulting non-realistic apertures produce stylized images where the amount of abstraction varies automatically with depth.
Current Strategies and Challenges for Purification of Cardiomyocytes Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are considered a most promising option for cell-based cardiac repair. Hence, various protocols have been developed for differentiating hPSCs into CMs. Despite remarkable improvement in the generation of hPSC-CMs, without purification, these protocols can only generate mixed cell populations including undifferentiated hPSCs or non-CMs, which may elicit adverse outcomes. Therefore, one of the major challenges for clinical use of hPSC-CMs is the development of efficient isolation techniques that allow enrichment of hPSC-CMs. In this review, we will discuss diverse strategies that have been developed to enrich hPSC-CMs. We will describe major characteristics of individual hPSC-CM purification methods including their scientific principles, advantages, limitations, and needed improvements. Development of a comprehensive system which can enrich hPSC-CMs will be ultimately useful for cell therapy for diseased hearts, human cardiac disease modeling, cardiac toxicity screening, and cardiac tissue engineering.
Unifying maximum likelihood approaches in medical image registration

Although intensity‐based similarity measures are increasingly used for medical image registration, they often rely on implicit assumptions regarding the imaging physics. This paper clarifies the assumptions on which a number of popular similarity measures rely. After formalizing registration based on general image acquisition models, we show that the search for an optimal measure can be cast into a maximum likelihood estimation problem. We then derive similarity measures corresponding to different modeling assumptions and retrieve some well‐known measures (correlation coefficient, correlation ratio, mutual information). Finally, we present results of rigid registration between several image modalities to illustrate the importance of choosing an appropriate similarity measure. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 11, 71–80, 2000
Environmental Factors Associated with Altered Gut Microbiota in Children with Eczema: A Systematic Review

Eczema is a common skin condition that impairs children’s daily life activities and quality of life. Previous research shows that gut microbiome composition plays an important role in the development of eczema. The present review summarizes evidence on environmental factors related to altered gut microbiota in children with eczema. We searched Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database of Systematic Reviews through October 2015. The search strategy focused on articles published in peer-reviewed, English-language journals with no publication year limit. Only original studies and review articles that reported environmental factors on gut microbiome specific to eczema were included in this review. We selected six studies (total 1990 participants) for full review and identified that the composition of gut microbiota specific to eczema could be influenced by the following environmental factors: length of gestation, mode of delivery, type of feeding, method of treatment, number of older siblings, and other lifestyle factors. There has been inconsistent empirical evidence as to the modulatory effects of gut microbiota on immunological functions in children with eczema. Further research on the environmental-host-microbial interaction is needed to develop a strong base of knowledge for the development and implementation of prevention strategies and policies for eczema.
Utilizing national nosocomial infection surveillance system data to improve urinary tract infection rates in three intensive-care units.

OBJECTIVE To reduce catheter-related urinary tract infection rates in three intensive-care units to at or below the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System pooled mean for similar units. DESIGN A nursing team, physician team, and laboratory team reviewed and revised protocols and procedures for better catheter management. SETTING A 500-bed community teaching hospital. INTERVENTIONS The teams developed medical indications for urinary catheter placement and criteria that allowed the registered nurse to remove a catheter without a physician's order when no longer medically necessary. They created a computer prompt to assure a urinalysis accompanied all urine cultures. RESULTS After introducing the new protocols, the incidence density of catheter-related urinary tract infections fell 17% in the surgical intensive-care unit, 29% in the medical intensive-care acute unit, and 45% in the coronary intensive-care acute unit. The registered nurses' compliance in removing the catheter per protocol was 88%. Physician ordering of a concomitant urinalysis with each urine culture achieved 93%. CONCLUSIONS A multidisciplinary approach assisted in reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections in three intensive-care units, although not to the extent desired. The teams are investigating preconnected and antimicrobial-coated catheters further.