Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International Conference on Computational Science , ICCS 2010 Runtime sparse matrix format selection

There exist many storage formats for the in-memory represen tatio of sparse matrices. Choosing the format that yields the quickest processing of any given sparse matr ix requires considering the exact non-zero structure of the matrix, as well as the current execution environment. Ea ch of these factors can change at runtime. The matrix structure can vary as computation progresses, while the env ironment can change due to varying system load, the live migration of jobs across a heterogeneous cluster, etc. This paper describes an algorithm that learns at runtime how to map sparse matrices onto the format which provides the qui ckest sparse matrix-vector product calculation, and which can adapt to the hardware platform changing underfoot . We show multiplication times reduced by over 10% compared with the best non-adaptive format selection.
Multiple-antenna-aided OFDM employing genetic-algorithm-assisted minimum bit error rate multiuser detection

The family of minimum bit error rate (MBER) multiuser detectors (MUD) is capable of outperforming the classic minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) MUD in terms of the achievable bit-error rate (BER) owing to directly minimizing the BER cost function. In this paper, we will invoke genetic algorithms (GAs) for finding the optimum weight vectors of the MBER MUD in the context of multiple-antenna-aided multiuser orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) . We will also show that the MBER MUD is capable of supporting more users than the number of receiver antennas available, while outperforming the MMSE MUD.
Correction of the effects induced by the continuous motion in airborne FMCW SAR

The combination of frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) leads to lightweight, cost-effective imaging sensors of high resolution. In FMCW SAR applications the conventional stop-and-go approximation used in pulse radar algorithms can be not valid anymore, therefore the motion within the sweep needs to be taken into account. Analytical development of the FMCW SAR signal model, starting from the deramped signal and without using the stop-and-go approximation, is presented in this paper. The model is then applied to spotlight and single transmitter/multiple receiver digital beam forming (DBF) operational mode, where the effect of the motion during the transmission and reception of the pulse, if not compensated for, can become seriously degrading for the SAR image quality. The derivation is then verified by processing real FMCW SAR data collected with the demonstrator system built at the Delft University of Technology.
Central Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure in Malay Children

Background To determine the mean values for central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) and the relationship between these values, in healthy Malay children to serve as reference values in diagnosis and treatment. Design A cross-sectional study. Methodology/Principal Findings One hundred and eight eyes (54 subjects) of Malay children without diagnosis of ocular abnormality or disease meeting our inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. The CCT and IOP were measured by specular microscopy and non-contact air-puff tonometry respectively, for analysis and comparison with the values obtained in previous studies. Mean CCT and IOP was found to be 530.87±30.79 µm and 15.65±3.05 mm Hg respectively. CCT was found not to vary with age. A positive relationship was found between CCT and IOP; specifically, with every 100-µm increase in CCT, IOP increased by 3.5 mm Hg. Conclusions/Significance CCT and IOP are strongly related in healthy Malay children aged 8 to 16. The mean CCT of Malay children is lower than that of majority children of other ethnic groups, supporting the existence of CCT variation among different populations and that ethnicity should be a key consideration when applying CCT data to the general pediatric population.
The Sociobiology of Infant and Adult Male Baboons

This volume analyzes the behavioral interactions between infant and adult male baboons. The result is the first quantitative description of infant-adult male relations for any higher primate, including humans. The idea that emerges is that infant-adult male relations are far more complex than the mere paternal caretaking or exploitation that has previously been assumed, and these relations are specific, long-term, reciprocal, and beneficial to both infants and the adult males. The book also deals with many current topics of interest, including parental investment, kidnapping, altruism, food sharing, agonistic buffering, adoption, and infanticide.
New Insights on the Inflammatory Role of Lutzomyia longipalpis Saliva in Leishmaniasis

When an haematophagous sand fly vector insect bites a vertebrate host, it introduces its mouthparts into the skin and lacerates blood vessels, forming a hemorrhagic pool which constitutes an intricate environment of cell interactions. In this scenario, the initial performance of host, parasite, and vector “authors” will heavily influence the course of Leishmania infection. Recent advances in vector-parasite-host interaction have elucidated “co-authors” and “new roles” not yet described. We review here the stimulatory role of Lutzomyia longipalpis saliva leading to inflammation and try to connect them in an early context of Leishmania infection.
Sharing Knowledge in Integrated Product Development

____________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: Although product development is recognized as knowledge intensive work, we have a limited understanding of its impact on product development process performance. The mechanisms by which knowledge sharing contributes to strategic imperatives such as time-to-market and value to customers is not well understood. Despite increased interest in knowledge sharing in cross-functional teams, there have been few large-scale empirical studies of its efficacy. This paper develops a model that explains how shared knowledge enhances process performance as well as downstream strategic imperatives. In this paper shared knowledge is identified as three types: shared knowledge of customers, shared knowledge of suppliers, and shared knowledge of internal capabilities. This model is tested using a sample of 205 product development projects. Key Word: Innovation; Knowledge Sharing; Integrated Product Development _____________________________________________________________________________
Probability of Winning at Tennis I. Theory and Data

The probability of winning a game, a set, and a match in tennis are computed, based on each player's probability of winning a point on serve, which we assume are independent identically distributed (iid) random variables. Both two out of three and three out of five set matches are considered, allowing a 13‐point tiebreaker in each set, if necessary. As a by‐product of these formulas, we give an explicit proof that the probability of winning a set, and hence a match, is independent of which player serves first. Then, the probability of each player winning a 128‐player tournament is calculated. Data from the 2002 U.S. Open and Wimbledon tournaments are used both to validate the theory as well as to show how predictions can be made regarding the ultimate tournament champion. We finish with a brief discussion of evidence for non‐iid effects in tennis, and indicate how one could extend the current theory to incorporate such features.
Creating Undergraduate Community Ambassadors of Earth System Science

A major challenge—and responsibility—facing scientists is the effective communication of complex scientific information to lay audiences. While this issue is important regardless of scientific discipline, conveying accurate information about earth system science (ESS) is particularly critical because: 1) ESS lies at the heart of formulating environmental policy, 2) public interest is high with respect to many ESS topics (e.g. climate change), 3) ESS is inherently complex and uncertain, 4) ESS involves broad spatial and temporal scales not routinely dealt with by the lay public, and 5) media reports regarding key ESS topics are often brief and lack the depth necessary to appropriately convey the scientific debate and consensus on a topic. As part of an effort to improve the communication of ESS-related information to non-scientists, we required undergraduate science and engineering students to deliver ESS-related presentations to community groups. From 1998–2004, 46 students in 5 different ESS-related courses presented information to more than 20 different community groups in South Dakota and Colorado. Though quantitative pre/post assessments of the degree of audience education was not implemented, qualitative data indicate that incorporation of this project in our undergraduate ESS classes has helped to begin bridging the important gap of transferring current ESS understanding from the realm of the scientist to that of the general public.
Religiosity as a Protective Factor Against Substance Use Among Hungarian High School Students

Gender differences in the relationship between religiosity and substance use (lifetime prevalence and current use) were examined among high school students in Szeged, Hungary (N = 881). Experimenting with and consuming tobacco and alcoholic beverages were characteristic in the sample to a great extent, whereas marijuana use was not as frequent. Logistic regression analyses were employed to test how variables of religiosity, that is, denominational affiliation, religiosity, and religious attendance, were related to substance use of youth by gender. Our findings confirmed the importance of the protective role of religious involvement, particularly among females.
Future dentistry: cell therapy meets tooth and periodontal repair and regeneration

• Introduction ‐ The need for tooth tissue engineering ‐ Cellular components and development of tooth ‐ Bases for tooth tissue engineering ‐ The patient as a recipient and as the source of cells ‐ Dental stem cell based tissue engineering ‐ Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) ‐ The clinical application of DPSCs in regeneration of the pulp/dentin complex ‐ Periodontal tissues as a source and niche for stem cells ‐ Past, current and future approaches in periodontal regeneration ‐ Molecular mechanisms and factors regulating regeneration of periodontal tissues ‐ Scaffolding and material science • Conclusions
Sirt1 Regulates Aging and Resistance to Oxidative Stress in the Heart

Silent information regulator (Sir)2, a class III histone deacetylase, mediates lifespan extension in model organisms and prevents apoptosis in mammalian cells. However, beneficial functions of Sir2 remain to be shown in mammals in vivo at the organ level, such as in the heart. We addressed this issue by using transgenic mice with heart-specific overexpression of Sirt1, a mammalian homolog of Sir2. Sirt1 was significantly upregulated (4- to 8-fold) in response to pressure overload and oxidative stress in nontransgenic adult mouse hearts. Low (2.5-fold) to moderate (7.5-fold) overexpression of Sirt1 in transgenic mouse hearts attenuated age-dependent increases in cardiac hypertrophy, apoptosis/fibrosis, cardiac dysfunction, and expression of senescence markers. In contrast, a high level (12.5-fold) of Sirt1 increased apoptosis and hypertrophy and decreased cardiac function, thereby stimulating the development of cardiomyopathy. Moderate overexpression of Sirt1 protected the heart from oxidative stress induced by paraquat, with increased expression of antioxidants, such as catalase, through forkhead box O (FoxO)-dependent mechanisms, whereas high levels of Sirt1 increased oxidative stress in the heart at baseline. Thus, mild to moderate expression of Sirt1 retards aging of the heart, whereas a high dose of Sirt1 induces cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, although high levels of Sirt1 increase oxidative stress, moderate expression of Sirt1 induces resistance to oxidative stress and apoptosis. These results suggest that Sirt1 could retard aging and confer stress resistance to the heart in vivo, but these beneficial effects can be observed only at low to moderate doses (up to 7.5-fold) of Sirt1.
Validation of SRY Marker for Forensic Casework Analysis

Abstract: Determining the gender of the source of forensic DNA evidence is based on the amelogenin test. However, at times the assay may not be indicative of gender assignment, because of deletions at the amelogenin site. Previously, we described successful coamplification of a marker residing within the SRY gene with the short tandem repeat markers from two commercially available human identification kits. The study herein addresses the validation of primers for the target SRY gene regarding specificity, sensitivity, and robustness. Among 115 unrelated male Slovenians no null allele was observed. Repeatable and reliable results were obtained from as little as 25 pg of template DNA, indicating a high sensitivity of detection for the assay. No polymerase chain reaction product was observed even at a concentration of 10 ng/μL of template female DNA. Additionally, the male specific marker could be detected in mixed male and female samples down to a ratio of 1:16.
Impact of electric vehicles on power distribution networks

The market for battery powered and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is currently limited, but this is expected to grow rapidly with the increased concern about the environment and advances in technology. Due to their high energy capacity, mass deployment of electrical vehicles will have significant impact on power networks. This impact will dictate the design of the electric vehicle interface devices and the way future power networks will be designed and controlled. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the impact of electric vehicles on existing power distribution networks. Evaluation of supply/demand matching and potential violations of statutory voltage limits, power quality and imbalance are presented.
MRI-Based Automated Computer Classification of Probable AD Versus Normal Controls

Automated computer classification (ACC) techniques are needed to facilitate physician's diagnosis of complex diseases in individual patients. We provide an example of ACC using computational techniques within the context of cross-sectional analysis of magnetic resonance images (MRI) in neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer's dementia (AD). In this paper, the accuracy of our ACC methodology is assessed when presented with real life, imperfect data, i.e., cohorts of MRI with varying acquisition parameters and imaging quality. The comparative methodology uses the Jacobian determinants derived from dense deformation fields and scaled grey-level intensity from a selected volume of interest centered on the medial temporal lobe. The ACC performance is assessed in a series of leave-one-out experiments aimed at separating 75 probable AD and 75 age-matched normal controls. The resulting accuracy is 92% using a support vector machine classifier based on least squares optimization. Finally, it is shown in the Appendix that determinants and scaled grey-level intensity are appreciably more robust to varying parameters in validation studies using simulated data, when compared to raw intensities or grey/white matter volumes. The ability of cross-sectional MRI at detecting probable AD with high accuracy could have profound implications in the management of suspected AD candidates.
The radical induced cell death protein 1 (RCD1) supports transcriptional activation of genes for chloroplast antioxidant enzymes

The rimb1 (redox imbalanced 1) mutation was mapped to the RCD1 locus (radical-induced cell death 1; At1g32230) demonstrating that a major factor involved in redox-regulation genes for chloroplast antioxidant enzymes and protection against photooxidative stress, RIMB1, is identical to the regulator of disease response reactions and cell death, RCD1. Discovering this link let to our investigation of its regulatory mechanism. We show in yeast that RCD1 can physically interact with the transcription factor Rap2.4a which provides redox-sensitivity to nuclear expression of genes for chloroplast antioxidant enzymes. In the rimb1 (rcd1-6) mutant, a single nucleotide exchange results in a truncated RCD1 protein lacking the transcription factor binding site. Protein-protein interaction between full-length RCD1 and Rap2.4a is supported by H2O2, but not sensitive to the antioxidants dithiotreitol and ascorbate. In combination with transcript abundance analysis in Arabidopsis, it is concluded that RCD1 stabilizes the Rap2.4-dependent redox-regulation of the genes encoding chloroplast antioxidant enzymes in a widely redox-independent manner. Over the years, rcd1-mutant alleles have been described to develop symptoms like chlorosis, lesions along the leaf rims and in the mesophyll and (secondary) induction of extra- and intra-plastidic antioxidant defense mechanisms. All these rcd1 mutant characteristics were observed in rcd1-6 to succeed low activation of the chloroplast antioxidant system and glutathione biosynthesis. We conclude that RCD1 protects plant cells from running into reactive oxygen species (ROS)-triggered programs, such as cell death and activation of pathogen-responsive genes (PR genes) and extra-plastidic antioxidant enzymes, by supporting the induction of the chloroplast antioxidant system.
Impact of electrode design and surgical approach on scalar location and cochlear implant outcomes

Three surgical approaches: cochleostomy (C), round window (RW), and extended round window (ERW); and two electrodes types: lateral wall (LW) and perimodiolar (PM), account for the vast majority of cochlear implantations. The goal of this study was to analyze the relationship between surgical approach and electrode type with final intracochlear position of the electrode array and subsequent hearing outcomes.
Changes in markers of inflammation, antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress in smokers following consumption of milk, and milk supplemented with fruit and vegetable extracts and vitamin C

Two milk-based beverages delivering twice the average daily antioxidant intake were formulated, based on synergistic combinations of fruit and vegetable extracts, and containing vitamin C (1.00 mg/ml) for shelf stability. Smokers (n = 42) consumed prototype milk A, B or non-supplemented milk (no extracts or vitamin C; 200 ml) twice daily for 6 weeks. Fasting and post-prandial (2 h after milk consumption) blood samples were collected at baseline and the end of each treatment. Non-supplemented milk significantly reduced fasting inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL) 6, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α) compared to baseline. Both supplemented milk-based beverages significantly increased fasting plasma vitamin C concentrations and antioxidant potential and decreased serum uric acid, compared to non-supplemented milk. The beverages did not induce post-prandial oxidative stress or inflammation. Therefore, regular consumption of the supplemented milks may confer health benefits because of increased antioxidant potential or through mechanisms resulting from increased vitamin C or decreased uric acid concentrations.
Relationship between hunger and psychosocial functioning in low-income American children.

OBJECTIVE Using large-scale surveys from nine states, the Community Childhood Hunger Identification Project (CCHIP) estimates that 8% of American children under the age of 12 years experience hunger each year. CCHIP operationalizes child hunger as multiple experiences of parent-reported food insufficiency due to constrained resources. The current study examined the relationship between food insufficiency and school-age, low-income children's psychosocial functioning. The study also assessed the interinformant (parent versus child) reliability and time-to-time reliability of the CCHIP measure. METHOD Two hundred four school-age children and their parents from four inner-city public schools were interviewed using parent, teacher, and clinician report measures of psychosocial functioning. Ninety-six children and their parents were reinterviewed 4 months later. RESULTS Hungry and at-risk for hunger children were twice as likely as not-hungry children to be classified as having impaired functioning by parent and child report. Teachers reported higher levels of hyperactivity, absenteeism, and tardiness among hungry/at-risk children than not-hungry children. Parent and child reports of hunger were significantly related to each other, and time-to-time reliability of the CCHIP measure was acceptable. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study suggest that intermittent experiences of food insufficiency and hunger as measured by CCHIP are associated with poor behavioral and academic functioning in low-income children. The current study also supports the validity and reliability of the CCHIP measure for assessing hunger in children.
Enriching Intrusion Alerts Through Multi-Host Causality

Current intrusion detection systems point out suspicious states or events but do not show how the suspicious state or events relate to other states or events in the system. We show how to enrich an IDS alert with information about how those alerts causally lead to or result from other events in the system. By enriching IDS alerts with this type of causal information, we can leverage existing IDS alerts to learn more about the suspected attack. Backward causal graphs can be used to find which host allowed a multi-hop attack (such as a worm) to enter a local network; forward causal graphs can be used to find the other hosts that were affected by the multi-hop attack. We demonstrate this use of causality on a local network by tracking the Slapper worm, a manual attack that spreads via several attack vectors, and an e-mail virus. Causality can also be used to correlate distinct network and host IDS alerts. We demonstrate this use of causality by correlating Snort and host IDS alerts to reduce false positives on a testbed system connected to the Internet.
Advanced metering key technologies of supporting the implementation of step electricity tariff

Implementing step electricity tariff is one of the important contents of constructing advanced metering infrastructure system and performing energy saving and emission reduction policies. It introduced the construction scheme of advanced metering infrastructure system and analyzed its development trends and construction status. It discussed the mass data process, power line communication, charging control, step electricity tariff, information security protection and other key technologies. Several proposals were presented to carry out the policy of step electricity tariff and build advanced metering infrastructure system.
Measuring similarity in belief revision

ThePossible Models Approach (PMA) introduced by Winslett, proposes, among other things, a domain-independent criterion for measuringsimilarity between different states of a dynamic system. The concept of similarity between states (possible worlds) appears also in the area of Belief Revision in the form of asystem of spheres. Systems of spheres are in turn connected to epistemic entrenchments by means of the AGM revision functions that the two structures induce. In view of these connections, in this article we study the implications of adopting PMA’s criterion of similarity in the context of Belief Revision. More precisely, we formulate conditions that capture PMA’s criterion of similarity in terms of systems of spheres ( PMA systems of spheres) and we provide an axiomatic characterization of the class of epistemic entrenchments corresponding to systems of spheres that comply with PMA’s criterion of similarity (PMA epistemic entrenchments). We also discuss some interesting properties of the class of PMA system of spheres and PMA epistemic entrenchments. Our study is primarily motivated by the role that PMA epistemic entrenchments can play in Reasoning about Action.