Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Clustering Problems and Analysis of Fuzzy Proximity Relation on Granular Space

In this paper, based on granular space, some hierarchical clustering problems and analysis for fuzzy proximity relation are developed by using rigorous mathematical descriptions, and four results are obtained. First, the granular representation of a fuzzy proximity relation is studied, an algorithm is obtained to compute the granular space (or hierarchical clustering structure) and the min-transitive closure derived from the same fuzzy proximity relation on a finite universe, and the consistent clustering properties are discussed. Second, a consistency index that is based on granular space is developed, and a global optimizing mathematical model is established to obtain the optimal clustering of a fuzzy proximity relation. Furthermore, for given two fuzzy proximity relations on different granulations of the same universe, a collaborative clustering method is studied by the intersection operation, and this method can provide a better hierarchical clustering structure. Finally, the theory for hierarchical clustering analysis of fuzzy proximity relations on granular space is established. For given two fuzzy proximity relations on the same universe, two sufficient conditions (Theorems 6.1 and 6.2) of isomorphism are given, and the necessary condition (Theorem 6.3) and the sufficient condition (Theorem 6.4) for ε-similarity are obtained. We also illustrate the effectiveness of these theories and methods with some practical examples. These results may help form a comprehensive theory and methodology for related potential application and will help us to obtain a deeper understanding of the essence of hierarchical clustering procedures.
Long-Term Engagement With a Mobile Self-Management System for People With Type 2 Diabetes

Background In a growing number of intervention studies, mobile phones are used to support self-management of people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, it is difficult to establish knowledge about factors associated with intervention effects, due to considerable differences in research designs and outcome measures as well as a lack of detailed information about participants’ engagement with the intervention tool. Objective To contribute toward accumulating knowledge about factors associated with usage and usability of a mobile self-management application over time through a thorough analysis of multiple types of investigation on each participant’s engagement. Methods The Few Touch application is a mobile-phone–based self-management tool for patients with T2DM. Twelve patients with T2DM who have been actively involved in the system design used the Few Touch application in a real-life setting from September 2008 until October 2009. During this period, questionnaires and semistructured interviews were conducted. Recorded data were analyzed to investigate usage trends and patterns. Transcripts from interviews were thematically analyzed, and the results were further analyzed in relation to the questionnaire answers and the usage trends and patterns. Results The Few Touch application served as a flexible learning tool for the participants, responsive to their spontaneous needs, as well as supporting regular self-monitoring. A significantly decreasing (P<.05) usage trend was observed among 10 out of the 12 participants, though the magnitude of the decrease varied widely. Having achieved a sense of mastery over diabetes and experiences of problems were identified as reasons for declining motivation to continue using the application. Some of the problems stemmed from difficulties in integrating the use of the application into each participant’s everyday life and needs, although the design concepts were developed in the process where the participants were involved. The following factors were identified as associated with usability and/or usage over time: Integration with everyday life; automation; balance between accuracy and meaningfulness of data with manual entry; intuitive and informative feedback; and rich learning materials, especially about foods. Conclusion Many grounded design implications were identified through a thorough analysis of results from multiple types of investigations obtained through a year-long field trial of the Few Touch application. The study showed the importance and value of involving patient-users in a long-term trial of a tool to identify factors influencing usage and usability over time. In addition, the study confirmed the importance of detailed analyses of each participant’s usage of the provided tool for better understanding of participants’ engagement over time.
Information-theoretic modeling for tracking the health of complex software systems

Stable correlation models are effective in detecting errors in complex software systems. However, most studies assume a specific mathematical form, typically linear, for the underlying correlations. In practice, more complex non-linear relationships exist between metrics. Moreover, most inter-metric correlations form clusters rather than simple pairwise correlations. These clusters provide additional information for error detection and offer the possibility for optimization. We address these issues by adopting the Normalized Mutual Information as a similarity measure. We also employ the entropy of metrics in clusters to monitor system state. Our approach does not require learning specific correlation models, thus reducing computation overhead. We have implemented the proposed approach and show, through experiments with a multi-tier enterprise software system, that it is effective. Our evaluation shows that (i) stable non-linear correlations exist in practice; (ii) the entropy of system metrics in clusters can efficiently detect anomalies caused by faults and provide information for diagnosis; and (iii) we can detect errors which were not captured by previous linear-correlation approaches.
Generating Web-based presentations in spatial hypertext

Presentations frequently include material appropriated from external sources; they may incorporate tabular data from published reports, photographs from books, or clip art from purchased collections. With the growing use of the WorldWide Web to disseminate information, there is the emerging potential for a new style of presentation: one that interprets and organizes materials produced by others and published on-line. Authoring such presentations requires the analysis of the source information. However, current presentation authoring software is designed to support traditional presentations, where analysis is assumed a separate task at best supported by separate software. This paper discusses experiences with using VIKI, a system designed to support information analysis, for the authoring of such presentations. VIKI includes a spatial parser to recognize implicit spatial structure generated during analysis. This paper describes how initial experiences with use for path authoring led to VIKI enhancements, including the adaptation of implicit spatial structure recognition for the creation of presentations.
Long-Term Intraocular Pressure Changes in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treated with Ranibizumab

Background/Aims: To investigate the long-term effects of multiple intravitreal injections (IVTs) of ranibizumab (Lucentis) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Methods: In 320 eyes, IOP measurements were performed at baseline prior to injection and compared with IOP measurements of the last visit. Correlations between mean IOP change and total number of IVTs, visual acuity or patient age were tested. Results: The mean IOP increase was 0.8 ± 3.1 mm Hg (p < 0.0001). Seven eyes showed final IOP values between 22 and 25 mm Hg. The mean follow-up was 22.7 ± 14.1 months. No further correlations between IOP change and number of IVTs, visual acuity or patient age have been found. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a statistically significant IOP increase in patients treated with repeated injections of ranibizumab. However, IOP increase required no glaucoma treatment during the study. Therefore, repeated injections with ranibizumab can be considered safe with regard to long-term IOP changes in patients without ocular hypertension or glaucoma.
Influence of the particle size distribution on surface quality and mechanical properties in AM steel parts

Purpose – A recent study confirmed that the particle size distribution of a metallic powder material has a major influence on the density of a part produced by selective laser melting (SLM). Although it is possible to get high density values with different powder types, the processing parameters have to be adjusted accordingly, affecting the process productivity. However, the particle size distribution does not only affect the density but also the surface quality and the mechanical properties of the parts. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of three different powder granulations on the resulting part density, surface quality and mechanical properties of the materials produced.Design/methodology/approach – The scan surface quality and mechanical properties of three different particle size distributions and two layer thicknesses of 30 and 45 μm were compared. The scan velocities for the different powder types have been adjusted in order to guarantee a part density≥99.5 per cent.Findings .
The Life and Death of a Metaphor, or the Metaphysics of Metaphor

This paper addresses two issues: (1) what it is for a metaphor to be either alive or dead and (2) what a metaphor must be in order to be either alive or dead. Both issues, in turn, bear on the contemporary debate whether metaphor is a pragmatic or semantic phenomenon and on the dispute between Contextualists and Literalists. In the first part of the paper, I survey examples of what I take to be live metaphors and dead metaphors in order to establish that there is a phenomenon here to be explained. I then propose an explanation of metaphorical vitality (and by implication of metaphorical death) in terms of the dependence of the interpretation of a metaphor on a family or network of expressions specific to its context of utterance. I then argue that only a Literalist account of metaphor — one that posits metaphorical expressions (a la Stern (2000))— and not Contextualist and Gricean approaches can accommodate this explanation. Finally, I discuss some objections to my Literalist account and sketch an explanation of types to counter Platonistic objections to my metaphorical
Rheumatoid arthritis disease activity measures: American College of Rheumatology recommendations for use in clinical practice

Although the systematic measurement of disease activity facilitates clinical decision making in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), no recommendations currently exist on which measures should be applied in clinical practice in the US. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) convened a Working Group (WG) to comprehensively evaluate the validity, feasibility, and acceptability of available RA disease activity measures and derive recommendations for their use in clinical practice.
Reliability-aware deduplication storage: Assuring chunk reliability and chunk loss severity

Reliability in deduplication storage has not attracted much research attention yet. To provide a demanded reliability for an incoming data stream, most deduplication storage systems first carry out deduplication process by eliminating duplicates from the data stream and then apply erasure coding for the remaining (unique) chunks. A unique chunk may be shared (i.e., duplicated) at many places of the data stream and shared by other data streams. That is why deduplication can reduce the required storage capacity. However, this occasionally becomes problematic to assure certain reliability levels required from different data streams. We introduce two reliability parameters for deduplication storage: chunk reliability and chunk loss severity. The chunk reliability means each chunk's tolerance level in the face of any failures. The chunk loss severity represents an expected damage level in the event of a chunk loss, formally defined as the multiplication of actual damage by the probability of a chunk loss. We propose a reliability-aware deduplication solution that not only assures all demanded chunk reliability levels by making already existing chunks sharable only if its reliability is high enough, but also mitigates the chunk loss severity by adaptively reducing the probability of having a chunk loss. In addition, we provide future research directions following to the current study.
EEG signals classification for brain computer interfaces based on Gaussian process classifier

Classification of electroencephalogram (EEG) is a crucial issue for EEG-based brain computer interface (BCI) system. In this paper, the performances of the Gaussian process classifier (GPC) for three different categories of EEG signals, i.e. steady state visually evoked potential (SSVEP), motor imagery and finger movement EEG data, are investigated. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the practicability of GPC for EEG signals classification of different tasks. Compared with some commonly employed algorithms, the GPC achieves similar or better performances. Furthermore, the probabilistic output provided by the GPC can also be of great benefit to the decision making for both online and offline EEG analysis.
Entry Optimization Computation Using Simplex Algorithm Reference Trajectory Programming

Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) for trajectory optimization of entry vehicle was presented. Firstly, equations of motion were normalized and an independent variable is introduced to reduce the difficulty of iterative computation. And then, optimal control problem was transformed into a nonlinear programming problem using direct collocation method. Finally, sequential quadratic programming was presented for solving the nonlinear programming problem. According to sensitivity of the initial value and long computation time spent on iteration in trajectory optimization with multi-constraints, the simplex algorithm was provided for generating a reference trajectory rapidly to satisfy all constraints absolutely. Simulation results demonstrate that the reliable algorithm can consistently achieve the desired target conditions and satisfy all constraints effectively.
-Ca Exchanger on [Ca]i Transients in Murine Ventricular Myocytes

We measured [Ca ]i and [Na ]i in isolated transgenic (TG) mouse myocytes overexpressing the Na -Ca exchanger and in wild-type (WT) myocytes. In TG myocytes, the peak systolic level and amplitude of electrically stimulated (ES) [Ca ]i transients (0.25 Hz) were not significantly different from those in WT myocytes, but the time to peak [Ca ]i was significantly prolonged. The decline of ES [Ca ]i transients was significantly accelerated in TG myocytes. The decline of a long-duration (4-s) caffeine-induced [Ca ]i transient was markedly faster in TG myocytes, and [Na ]i was identical in TG and WT myocytes, indicating that the overexpressed Na -C 21 exchanger is functionally active. The decline of a short-duration (100-ms) caffeine-induced [Ca ]i transient in 0 Na /0 Ca solution did not differ between the two groups, suggesting that the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca -ATPase function is not altered by overexpression of the Na -C 21 exchanger. There was no difference in L-type Ca 21 current density in WT and TG myocytes. However, the sensitivity of ES [Ca ]i transients to nifedipine was reduced in TG myocytes. This maintenance of [Ca ]i transients in nifedipine was inhibited by Ni 21 and required SR Ca 21 content, consistent with enhanced Ca 21 influx by reverse Na -Ca exchange, and the resulting Ca-induced Ca release from SR. The rate of rise of [Ca ]i transients in nifedipine in TG myocytes was much slower than when both the L-type Ca 21 current and the Na -Ca exchange current function together. In TG myocytes, action potential amplitude and action potential duration at 50% repolarization were reduced, and action potential duration at 90% repolarization was increased, relative to WT myocytes. These data suggest that under these conditions, overexpression of the Na-Ca exchanger in TG myocytes accelerates the decline of [Ca ]i during relaxation, indicating enhanced forward Na-Ca exchanger function. Increased Ca 21 influx also appears to occur, consistent with enhanced reverse function. These findings provide support for the physiological importance of both these modes of Na -Ca exchange. (Circ Res. 1998;82:657-665.)
Frequency of Sexual Dysfunction and Other Reproductive Side-effects in Patients with Schizophrenia Treated with Risperidone, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, or Haloperidol: The Results of the EIRE Study

Atypical antipsychotics seem to differ mainly in their tolerability profile. The aim of this cross-sectional study, the Estudio de Investigaci n de Resultados en Esquizofrenia (Outcomes Research Study in Schizophrenia; EIRE study), was to assess in a clinical setting the frequency of several side-effects related to haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine. This article addresses sexual dysfunction and other reproductive side-effects (gynecomastia, menorrhage, amenorrhea, and galactorrhea). We recruited outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria and who had received a single antipsychotic (risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, or haloperidol) for at least 4 weeks. During a single visit, we collected data, including demographic and clinical characteristics, current antipsychotic and concomitant treatment, and adverse effects listed in a modified version of the UKU Scale. We used a Chi-squared test to determine pairs comparisons of the frequency of adverse reactions between treatments. To estimate risk of a given adverse reaction with a given treatment, we used a logistic regression method. We assessed 636 evaluable patients out of 669 recruited. Frequency of sexual dysfunction was high with haloperidol (38.1%) and also with olanzapine (35.3%), quetiapine (18.2%), and risperidone (43.2%). We found the frequency of other reproductive side-effects to be relatively low with all four drugs: haloperidol (6.9%), olanzapine (6.4%), quetiapine (2.7%), and risperidone (11.7%). Sexual dysfunction appeared to be dose-related with haloperidol, risperidone, and olanzapine. Risperidone and olanzapine showed a higher risk of sexual dysfunction and other reproductive sideeffects than haloperidol. Quetiapine showed a lower risk of sexual dysfunction during short-term treatment ( 12 weeks) are lacking. Our results suggest that none of the atypical antipsychotics that we studied significantly improved sexual dysfunction and other reproductive side-effects of the conventional antipsychotic, haloperidol, in stabilized patients during long-term treatment. Quetiapine appears to improve this profile during short-term treatment; however, longterm data, with larger samples, are required with this latter drug.
Where Everybody Knows Your (Screen) Name: Online Games as "Third Places"

This article examines the form and function of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) in terms of social engagement. Combining conclusions from media effects research informed by the communication effects literature with those from ethnographic research informed by a sociocultural perspective on cognition and learning, we present a shared theoretical framework for understanding (a) the extent to which such virtual worlds are structurally similar to ‘‘third places’’ (Oldenburg, 1999) for informal sociability, and (b) their potential function in terms of social capital (Coleman, 1988; Putnam, 2000). Our conclusion is that by providing spaces for social interaction and relationships beyond the workplace and home, MMOs have the capacity to function as one form of a new ‘‘third place’’ for informal sociability. Participation in such virtual ‘‘third places’’ appears particularly well suited to the formation of bridging social capital—social relationships that, while not usually providing deep emotional support, typically function to expose the individual to a diversity of worldviews.
Identification of a Novel Metalloproteinase and Its Role in Juvenile Development of the Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca sexta (Linnaeus)

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a class of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that are highly conserved across numerous taxa, from bacteria to humans. Recently, MMPs have been identified in several insect species and are hypothesized to function in immunity and development. In this study, we identify a putative MMP and correlate its proteolytic activity and gene and protein expression in the tracheae with developmental stage. Ms-MMP gene expression increases 10-fold during molting, which is accompanied by an increase in both protein expression and gelatinolytic activity. To directly test the hypothesis that Ms-MMP plays a critical role in juvenile development of Manduca sexta, we injected a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor and recorded its effects on growth and development. Inhibition of MMPs caused a delay in juvenile development and decreased growth rates. Understanding the function of MMPs will help us better understand molting and control of body size in insects. Furthermore, elucidating functions for MMPs in lower taxa may yield critical information about the evolution of the numerous MMPs found in vertebrates. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 320B:105–117, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Image superimposition and the problem of selecting the set of corresponding point pairs

The results of experimental research of both homogeneous and heterogeneous image superimposition quality by means of multiple view geometry. One of the most important tasks in the problem of image superimposition which has not been solved till now is the task to make the right selection of a set of key (corresponding) point pairs on superimposed images. The research shows image superimposition by two methods. First, exhaustive search of all possible combinations into groups of 4 points results in a group (groups) of key points providing the best image superimposition. Second, suitable subset of key points is found using the algorithms of RANSAC group. The comparison of results has been made, recommendations to automate the process of key point selection have been given.
Active defence through deceptive IPS

Modern security mechanisms such as Unified Threat Management (UTM), Next-Generation Firewalls and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) have become more sophisticated over recent years, promising advanced security features and immediate mitigation of the most advanced threats. While this appears promising, in practice even this cutting-edge technology often fails to protect modern organisations as they are being targeted by attacks that were previously unknown to the security industry. Most security mechanisms are based on a database of previously known attack artefacts (signatures) and they will fail on slightly modified or new attacks. The need for threat intelligence is in complete contrast with the way current security solutions are responding to the threats they identify, as they immediately block them without attempting to acquire any further information. In this report, we present and evaluate a security mechanism that operates as an intrusion prevention system which uses honeypots to deceive an attacker, prevent a security breach and which allows the potential acquisition of intelligence on each intrusion attempt. a aThis article is published online by Computer Weekly as part of the 2017 Royal Holloway information security thesis series http://www.computerweekly. com/ehandbook/Active-defence-through-deceptive-IPS. It is based on an MSc dissertation written as part of the MSc in Information Security at the ISG, Royal Holloway, University of London. The full thesis is published on the ISG’s website at https://www.royalholloway. ac.uk/isg/.