Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved Inapproximability Results for Steiner Tree via Long Code Based Reductions

The best algorithm for approximating Steiner tree has performance ratio $\ln(4)+\epsilon \approx 1.386$ [J. Byrka et al., \textit{Proceedings of the 42th Annual ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing (STOC)}, 2010, pp. 583-592], whereas the inapproximability result stays at the factor $\frac{96}{95} \approx 1.0105$ [M. Chleb\'ik and J. Chleb\'ikov\'a, \textit{Proceedings of the 8th Scandinavian Workshop on Algorithm Theory (SWAT)}, 2002, pp. 170-179]. In this article, we take a step forward to bridge this gap and show that there is no polynomial time algorithm approximating Steiner tree with constant ratio better than $\frac{19}{18} \approx 1.0555$ unless \textsf{P = NP}. We also relate the problem to the Unique Games Conjecture by showing that it is \textsf{UG}-hard to find a constant approximation ratio better than $\frac{17}{16} = 1.0625$. In the special case of quasi-bipartite graphs, we prove an inapproximability factor of $\frac{25}{24} \approx 1.0416$ unless \textsf{P = NP}, which improves upon the previous bound of $\frac{128}{127} \approx 1.0078$. The reductions that we present for all the cases are of the same spirit with appropriate modifications. Our main technical contribution is an adaptation of a Set-Cover type reduction in which the Long Code is used to the geometric setting of the problems we consider.
Forecasting Social Unrest Using Activity Cascades

Social unrest is endemic in many societies, and recent news has drawn attention to happenings in Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Civilian populations mobilize, sometimes spontaneously and sometimes in an organized manner, to raise awareness of key issues or to demand changes in governing or other organizational structures. It is of key interest to social scientists and policy makers to forecast civil unrest using indicators observed on media such as Twitter, news, and blogs. We present an event forecasting model using a notion of activity cascades in Twitter (proposed by Gonzalez-Bailon et al., 2011) to predict the occurrence of protests in three countries of Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela. The basic assumption is that the emergence of a suitably detected activity cascade is a precursor or a surrogate to a real protest event that will happen “on the ground. ” Our model supports the theoretical characterization of large cascades using spectral properties and uses properties of detected cascades to forecast events. Experimental results on many datasets, including the recent June 2013 protests in Brazil, demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
An ontology-based system for Cloud infrastructure services' discovery

The Cloud infrastructure services landscape advances steadily leaving users in the agony of choice. As a result, Cloud service identification and discovery remains a hard problem due to different service descriptions, non-standardised naming conventions and heterogeneous types and features of Cloud services. In this paper, we present an OWL-based ontology, the Cloud Computing Ontology (CoCoOn) that defines functional and non-functional concepts, attributes and relations of infrastructure services. We also present a system, CloudRecommender-that implements our domain ontology in a relational model. The system uses regular expressions and SQL for matching user requests to service descriptions. We briefly describe the architecture of the CloudRecommender system, and demonstrate its effectiveness and scalability through a service configuration selection experiment based on a set of prominent Cloud providers' descriptions including Amazon, Azure, and GoGrid.
Principles for the regulation of multiple developmental pathways by a versatile transcriptional factor, BLIMP1

Abstract Single transcription factors (TFs) regulate multiple developmental pathways, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we quantitatively characterized the genome-wide occupancy profiles of BLIMP1, a key transcriptional regulator for diverse developmental processes, during the development of three germ-layer derivatives (photoreceptor precursors, embryonic intestinal epithelium and plasmablasts) and the germ cell lineage (primordial germ cells). We identified BLIMP1-binding sites shared among multiple developmental processes, and such sites were highly occupied by BLIMP1 with a stringent recognition motif and were located predominantly in promoter proximities. A subset of bindings common to all the lineages exhibited a new, strong recognition sequence, a GGGAAA repeat. Paradoxically, however, the shared/common bindings had only a slight impact on the associated gene expression. In contrast, BLIMP1 occupied more distal sites in a cell type-specific manner; despite lower occupancy and flexible sequence recognitions, such bindings contributed effectively to the repression of the associated genes. Recognition motifs of other key TFs in BLIMP1-binding sites had little impact on the expression-level changes. These findings suggest that the shared/common sites might serve as potential reservoirs of BLIMP1 that functions at the specific sites, providing the foundation for a unified understanding of the genome regulation by BLIMP1, and, possibly, TFs in general.
Discovery of a New Class of Sortase A Transpeptidase Inhibitors to Tackle Gram-Positive Pathogens: 2-(2-Phenylhydrazinylidene)alkanoic Acids and Related Derivatives

A FRET-based random screening assay was used to generate hit compounds as sortase A inhibitors that allowed us to identify ethyl 3-oxo-2-(2-phenylhydrazinylidene)butanoate as an example of a new class of sortase A inhibitors. Other analogues were generated by changing the ethoxycarbonyl function for a carboxy, cyano or amide group, or introducing substituents in the phenyl ring of the ester and acid derivatives. The most active derivative found was 3-oxo-2-(2-(3,4dichlorophenyl)hydrazinylidene)butanoic acid (2b), showing an IC50 value of 50 µM. For a preliminary assessment of their antivirulence properties the new derivatives were tested for their antibiofilm activity. The most active compound resulted 2a, which showed inhibition of about 60% against S. aureus ATCC 29213, S. aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 6538 and S. epidermidis RP62A at a screening concentration of 100 µM.
Pharmacokinetics of Colistin Methanesulfonate and Formed Colistin in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Receiving Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

ABSTRACT Colistin, administered intravenously as its inactive prodrug colistin methanesulfonate (CMS), is increasingly used as last-line therapy to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. CMS dosing needs to be adjusted for renal function. The impact of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) on the pharmacokinetics of both CMS and colistin has not been studied. No CMS dosing recommendations are available for patients receiving CAPD. Eight CAPD patients received a single intravenous CMS dose (150 mg colistin base activity [CBA]) over 30 min. Serial blood and dialysate samples, and cumulative urine where applicable, were collected over 25 h. CMS and colistin concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Population pharmacokinetic modeling and Monte Carlo simulations were conducted. The total body clearance of CMS (excluding CAPD clearance) was 1.77 liters/h (44%) [population mean (between-subject variability)], while CAPD clearance was 0.088 liter/h (64%). The population mean terminal half-life of CMS was 8.4 h. For colistin, the total clearance/fraction of CMS metabolized to colistin (fm) (excluding CAPD clearance) was 2.74 liters/h (50%), the CAPD clearance was 0.101 liter/h (34%), and the mean terminal half-life was 13.2 h. Monte Carlo simulations suggested a loading dose of 300 mg CBA on day 1 and a maintenance dose of either 150 mg or 200 mg CBA daily to achieve a target average steady-state plasma colistin concentration of 2.5 mg/liter. Clearance by CAPD was low for both CMS and formed colistin. Therefore, CMS doses should not be increased during CAPD. Modeling and simulation enabled us to propose the first evidence-based CMS dosage regimen for CAPD patients.
A Look-ahead Active Body-biasing scheme for SOI-SRAM with dynamic VDDM control

Instability of SRAM memory cells derived from aggressive technology scaling has become one of the most significant issues. Although lowering the supply voltage for a memory cell (VDDM) improves a write margin, which increases the access time. In this paper, we propose a memory cell employing a Look-ahead Active Body-biasing (LAB) scheme for SOI-SRAM with the dynamic VDDM control. Simulation results have shown that the proposed SRAM cell shortens the access time by 54% in the write mode, while expanding read and write margins and reducing effects of variations in the threshold voltage on them.
IDE support to facilitate the transition from rapid prototyping to robust software production

Dynamic languages are becoming increasingly popular for different software development scenarios such as rapid prototyping because of the flexibility and agile interactive development they offer. The benefits of dynamic languages are, however, counteracted by many limitations produced by the lack of static typing. In order to obtain the benefits of both approaches, some programming languages offer a hybrid dynamic and static type system. The existing IDEs for these hybrid typing languages do not provide any type-based feature when dynamic typing is used, lacking important IDE facilities offered for statically typed code. We have implemented a constraint-based type inference system that gathers type information of dynamic references at compile time. Using this type information, we have extended a professional IDE to offer those type-based features missed for dynamically typed code. Following the Separation of Concerns principle, the IDE has also been customized to facilitate the conversion of dynamically typed code into statically typed one, and vice versa.
The test and analysis of FMO model in error concealment based on H.264

It is significant of applying error concealment in video transmission in wireless network. This report compares the new FMO (Flexible Macroblock Ordering) model based on H.264 to the traditional FMO model in error concealment. The author test different FMO model and make the contrast of results through selection of different standard test video sequences. And the testing result indicates that different FMO model selection for different transmission environment can reach the best error concealment effect, which provided a new concept of adaptive error concealment.
Double-sided liquid cooling for power semiconductor devices using embedded power packaging

This paper presents double-sided liquid thermal management schemes for MOSFETs using embedded power technology. Physics based RC lumped thermal models were developed for embedded power with double-sided forced liquid convection and a wire bond package with single-sided forced liquid convection. Embedded power with double-sided liquid cooling is expected to produce up to a 40% reduction in thermal resistance compared to a wire bond package with single-sided liquid cooling. A liquid module test bed has been created based on the convection modeled and is used with MOSFET based samples to explore the validity of the modeling results. Temperature measurements from experimental results are comparable to the modeling results for single-side cooled wire bond packaging for a loss between 10 to 100 W and 0.15 to 5 GPM water flow rate. Pulse loss results also mimic transient heat transfer trends depicted in modeling. Experiments for double-sided cooling with embedded power are in progress.
The self-biased based PLL with fast lock circuit

this paper presents a design of a self-biased based PLL with fast lock circuit, which achieves process technology independence, fixed damping factor, fixed ratio bandwidth related operating frequency, and fast lock time. The lock time of the PLL could be adjusted by demand. The input reference frequency is 125MHz and the PLL generates fixed output frequency of 1250MHz.
Barriers and Contributors to Breastfeeding in WIC Mothers: A Social Ecological Perspective.

BACKGROUND In response to the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, the goal of this research was to assess the barriers and positive contributors to breastfeeding initiation and duration in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants using the social ecological model (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional design was used to survey WIC mothers (n = 283) in southern New Hampshire. Analysis of breastfeeding initiation and duration revealed statistically significant results primarily at the individual level of the SEM. Findings also showed influences at the interpersonal, community, and organizational levels. There were significant differences in beliefs toward breastfeeding between women who ever breastfed and women who never breastfed. Women who ever breastfed were more likely to agree that breastfeeding assists with losing baby weight (89% versus 77%; p = 0.03), babies fed breastmilk are less likely to get sick (86% versus 74%; p = 0.04), and breastfeeding helps mothers bond with their babies more quickly than formula feeding (88% versus 72%; p < 0.01). Breastfeeding duration was significantly related to employment status; among women who breastfed for 6 months or longer, 15% were employed full-time, 30% worked part-time, and 55% indicated "other" such as unemployed or stay-at-home mother (p = 0.01). Logistic regression revealed that maternal age was the most significant predictor of breastfeeding duration (odds ratio = 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.03, 1.19; p < 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Results indicate opportunities to inform and support women in the prenatal and postpartum period, improve the social and built environment, and develop and advocate for policies in an effort to support breastfeeding.
Therapeutic drug monitoring in highly active antiretroviral therapy

Importance of the field: Despite the efficacy of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), a large proportion of patients living with HIV/AIDS on ART does not achieve or maintain adequate virological suppression. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has been utilised to improve treatment outcomes of ART. Areas covered in the review: The potential incorporation of TDM into the clinical HIV management is supported by the existing relationship between drug exposure and efficacy/toxicity, the high inter-patient variability pharmacokinetics, and the accurate, specific and rapid method for drug level determination. The current status of TDM in ART is reviewed in this article with discussions on its feasibility, potential use and limitations. What the reader will gain: Mounting evidence from clinical trials has indicated the potential use of TDM in reducing the rates of treatment failure and adverse effect, avoiding the drug interactions, and special populations, such as children, pregnant women and patients with co-infections. TDM may play an important role even in resource-limited settings, to safeguard expanded use of bioequivalent generic antiretroviral drugs and avoid drug interactions with traditional Chinese medicines. Take home message: TDM is still in the centre of controversy in that several critical issues need to be addressed, such as limited adherence assessment, inappropriate response predictors, insufficient validation of target concentration windows and lack of the quality control of assay. The utility of TDM will remain experimental until more data are obtained from large clinical trials showing the benefit of TDM.
Communication Screening Program for a Geriatric Continuing Care Unit

The growing interest in the communication problems of older individuals is largely a product of heightened awareness of changes in the demographic characteristics of our society. At present, about 10% of the Canadian popu lation is over 65, and population projections indicate that this will increase to approximately 23% by the year 2025 (Health & Welfare Canada, 1987). Although statistics on the numbers of Canadians with communication impairments have not been gathered, trends can be observed from American figures. In the United States, at least 20% of those over 65 are impaired in speech and/or language, and approximately 43% are hearing impaired (Fein, 1983). Fein (1983) has estimated that, by the year 2050, 39% of the speech-language impaired individuals and 59% of the hearing impaired individuals in this society will be over 65 years of age.
Receptors for interleukin-1 in the central nervous and neuroendocrine systems. Role in infection and stress.

The functional interactions between the Immune (IS) and the Central Nervous Systems (CNS) are clearly indicated by the fact these systems are sharing mediators and receptors. Interleukins and more specifically Interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been shown to be powerful regulators of both system activity which suggested IL-1 receptors in the CNS. IL-1 receptors, similar to type I lymphocyte receptors, have been characterized in murine nervous structures (dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and frontal cortex), in vascular structures (vessels, choroid plexus) and in a neuroendocrine structure (anterior pituitary). Stimulation of the immune system and of IL-1 synthesis by bacterial product (intra peritoneal injection of LPS) induced a marked decrease of IL-1 receptor levels in the CNS. Under the same conditions pituitary receptors were unaffected indicating the autonomy of brain functioning. This decrease is in relation with an increase in local IL-1 synthesis as indicated by the increase of IL-1 mRNA in the brain tissue. During viral infection (rabies virus) very similar results are observed. Brain receptors are decreasing in the brain at day 4 post infection while IL-1 concentration is increasing in the brain tissue. Pituitary receptors are not modified during the evolution of the disease. Stress and glucocorticoid treatment are strong inhibitors of immune functions by inhibiting IL-1 synthesis. Neither treatment modified brain receptors suggesting that IL-1 synthesis is not modulated by glucocorticoids in the CNS as in the immune system. However an increase in pituitary receptor level was observed in both cases. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Decisions, Decisions: The Neurobiology of the effects of Dopamine Replacement Therapy on Decision-Making in Parkinson’s Disease

Dopamine replacement therapy (DRT) alleviates motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease but induces neuropsychiatric side-effects. This review evaluates recent research into the decision-making deficits caused by DRT arising because dopamine ‘overdoses’ a relatively-intact ventral striatum while replenishing the dorsal striatum. Consequently, patients on medication are worse at learning from losses but better at learning from wins than healthy controls. Additionally, due to greater disruption of medication on limbic than cognitive neural circuits, patients are poorer at decision-making under risk than decision-making under ambiguity. Particularly, task components related to ventral fronto-striatal and orbitofrontal regions are affected more than those related to dorsal and prefrontal regions. Selective deficits in feedback processing and outcome evaluation due to limbic overdose likely drive this effect.
Framework for the Development of Financial Literacy Baseline Surveys

There is growing concern, across a wide range of countries, about the levels of financial capability of consumers. A large number of initiatives are therefore being developed to address this issue; and countries are increasingly rolling out national strategies on financial capability. To do this effectively requires evidence on the areas where financial capability in the population is low and an identification of the extent to which these should be addressed by financial education and/or consumer protection measures. Yet there is remarkably little robust information in this area and none that is comparable across countries. This report is aimed at informing the work of the OECD International Network on Financial Education (INFE) in this field, by 1) elaborating a set of draft good practice guidelines for the design of national financial literacy surveys and; 2) proposing guidelines for the design of a core set of good practice questions for embedding within any national surveys aimed at measuring financial literacy levels.
Human Manual Control

The sections in this article are: 1 A Simple Model for Voluntary Control 1.1 Working Memory and Internal Rehearsal 1.2 Coding of Words in Working Memory 1.3 Computer of Limited Capacity 1.4 Single-Channel Input Selector 1.5 Long-Term Memory and Automation of Skill 1.6 Summary 2 Bias from Transfer 2.1 Central Tendency Bias 2.2 Asymmetric Transfer Bias 2.3 Avoiding Transfer Bias 2.4 Summary 3 Measures of Error 3.1 Relationships Between Measures of Error 3.2 Measures of Error in Tracking 3.3 Summary 4 Preprogramming and Error Correction 4.1 Quick Ballistic Movements 4.2 Craik's Ratio Rule 4.3 Preprogrammed Movements With Error Correction 5 Nonvisual Memory for Single Movements 5.1 Weber's Law for Accuracy of Movements 5.2 Contraction Bias 5.3 Uncontrolled Differences in Sizes of Movements 5.4 Forgetting and Spatial Reference Points 5.5 Interpolated Motor Activity Between Criterion Movement and Reproduced Movement 5.6 Location Better Remembered Than Distance 5.7 Active and Passive Preselected and Constrained Movements 5.8 Visual Cues Take Priority Over Nonvisual Cues 5.9 Summary 6 Reaction Time for Correcting a Limb Movement 6.1 Deliberate and Automatic Corrections 6.2 Kinesthetic Reaction Time 6.3 Visual Correction of Quick Movements 6.4 Reaction Time for a Correction in Tracking Steps 6.5 Advance Correction of Direction 6.6 Corrected Anticipatory Response 6.7 Difficulties of Interpretation 6.8 Additional Artifacts in Measuring Reaction Times to Steps 6.9 Summary 7 Preparation and Time Sharing 7.1 Reaction Times for Multiple Choices 7.2 Grouped Responses to Simultaneous Stimuli 7.3 Psychological Refractory Period 7.4 Holding Strategy in Tracking Steps 7.5 Apparent Elimination of Psychological Refractory Period by Simultaneous Strategy 7.6 Probe Reaction Time and Psychological Refractory Period 7.7 Reaction Time to a Probe Presented During a Movement 7.8 Interference Between Movements of Two Limbs 7.9 Time Sharing Between Two Tasks 7.10 Tracking in Two Dimensions 7.11 Optimum Combinations of Two Unrelated Tasks 7.12 Summary 8 Prediction and Preprogramming Replace Error Correction in Complex Skills 8.1 Prediction of Speed in Pursuit Tracking 8.2 Preprogramming of Response Frequency in Pursuit Tracking 8.3 Models for Prediction 8.4 Prediction and Error Correction in Tracking With Pursuit and Compensatory Displays 8.5 Preprogramming With Control Systems of High Order 8.6 Preprogramming and Error Correction in Complex Skills 8.7 Summary 9 Tracking by Eye 10 Overview