Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pseudo-Local Alignment of Continuous Time Series

Time series occur throughout nature and within almost every discipline of science. Producing accurate alignments of time series data was made feasible with the Dynamic Time Warping algorithm. Through stretching and compressing of individual points in time series data, this algorithm produces accurate and intuitive global time series alignments. In this paper, we extend the DTW algorithm to perform pseudo-local alignments with the Local Dynamic Time Warping (LDTW) algorithm. We apply the LDTW algorithm to simple time series data to demonstrate its ability to find local areas of high similarity. Finally, we present the use of LDTW as an initial step for extending a recent and more robust HMM times series alignment algorithm to also allow it to perform local
Actor-Critic Control with Reference Model Learning

Abstract We propose a new actor-critic algorithm for reinforcement learning. The algorithm does not use an explicit actor, but learns a reference model which represents a desired behaviour, along which the process is to be controlled by using the inverse of a learned process model. The algorithm uses Local Linear Regression (LLR) to learn approximations of all the functions involved. The online learning of a process and reference model, in combination with LLR, provides an efficient policy update for faster learning. In addition, the algorithm facilitates the incorporation of prior knowledge. The novel method and a standard actor-critic algorithm are applied to the pendulum swingup problem, in which the novel method achieves faster learning than the standard algorithm.
Design and Analysis of a Vibration Isolation System Based on Four-Bar Mechanism Integrated with Shape Memory Alloy Wire

Active and passive vibration control of dynamic systems using Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) have received significant attraction because of its effectiveness in wide range of applications including aerospace, automobile and biomedical domain. A vibration isolation system comprising four bar linkage mechanism along with SMA wire is proposed in the present work for space related applications. Two different configurations of the proposed model as smart box stiffener are dynamically analyzed using Finite Element Method (FEM) in Abaqus. Mode shapes of both the configurations exhibit a combination of inflated and deflated behavior, therefore justifying the proposed vibration isolation system. Experimental investigation of the proposed system is carried out to examine the transmissibility of SMA wire. As future work, Genetic Algorithm (GA) will be used to optimize the configuration of the four bar mechanism and numerical analysis of the optimized assembly will be performed through user-subroutine (UMAT) code in Abaqus.
Lidocaine Infusion: A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Chronic Pain

Opioid abuse is a national epidemic in the United States, where it is estimated that a prescription drug overdose death occurs every 19 minutes. While opioids are highly effective in acute and subacute pain control, their use for treatment of chronic pain is controversial. Chronic opioids use is associated with tolerance, dependency, hyperalgesia. Although there are new strategies and practice guidelines to reduce opioid dependence and opioid prescription drug overdose, there has been little focus on development of opioid-sparing therapeutic approaches. Lidocaine infusion has been shown to be successful in controlling pain where other agents have failed. The opioid sparing properties of lidocaine infusion added to its analgesic and antihyperalgesic properties make lidocaine infusion a viable option for pain control in opioid dependent patients. In this review, we provide an overview of the opioid abuse epidemic, and we outline current evidence supporting the potential use of lidocaine infusion as an adjuvant therapeutic approach for management of chronic pain.
Work-Integrated Learning in accountancy at Australian universities – forms, future role and challenges

ABSTRACT This exploratory study seeks to obtain the views of strategic decision-makers surrounding the implementation of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Accountancy programs in Australian universities. Using an online questionnaire with mainly open-ended questions, the results showed most respondents perceived WIL programs as important and should be offered and assessed. Work placements and internships were the prominent forms of WIL; and WIL programs were of varying length but typically long, elective, unpaid, in the middle and/or end of the course/degree, assessed, with students awarded grades and credit points. The most challenging issues identified were the difficulty of finding placements and the resourcing implications. The contributions of the study relate to highlighting the various models of accountancy WIL actually implemented and providing empirical evidence on the challenges faced. Since WIL is perceived as important for the future and should be included in degree courses, the proposed future research could help overcome these challenges.
Cholangiocarcinoma in a Resected Biliary Cyst: Importance of Follow-up

Biliary cysts are rare cystic dilatations of the biliary tree. Biliary cysts are positively associated with several significant complications, amongst them, cholangiocarcinoma befalls the most dreadful one. The elevated incidence is 20-30% in the unresected cyst and 0.7% in resected cysts. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) or a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is applied for the initial diagnostic study but the ultimate diagnosis ordinarily requires the tissue biopsy. Currently, the sole curative option involves the complete surgical resection of the lesion, with standard chemotherapy and active radiation applied as an alternative for the unresectable tumors. Despite the curative surgery the percentage of eternal recurrence of the tumor indefinitely persists, and effective post-surgical surveillance is reasonably demanded. We report a case of 29-year-old female with local recurrence of cholangiocarcinoma in a previously resected biliary cyst type I. The curative resection of the choledochal cyst only minimizes the considerable risk of the possible development of future cholangiocarcinoma but it does not completely prevent it. The appropriate follow-up for potential patients who have been typically treated for a biliary cyst is unclear. The lethal course of cholangiocarcinoma is believed due to its slow asymptomatic growing phase. Therefore, to adequately screen for malignancy, periodic imaging along with annual liver tests represents a reasonable approach to prevent the possible development of this appalling complication.
Statistical Characterization of Wide-Area Self-Similar Network Traffic

Background traffic models are fundamental to packet-level network simulation since the background traffic impacts packet drop rates, queuing delays, end-to-end delay variation, and also determines available network bandwidth. In this paper, we present a statistical characterization of wide-area traffic based on a week-long trace of packets exchanged between a large campus network, a state-wide educational network, and a large Internet service provider. The results of this analysis can be used to provide a basis for modeling background load in simulations of wide-area packet-switched networks such as the Internet, contribute to understanding the fractal behavior of wide-area network utilization, and provide a benchmark to evaluate the accuracy of existing traffic models. The key findings of our study include the following: (1) both the aggregate and its component substreams exhibit significant long-range dependencies in agreement with other recent traffic studies, (2) the empirical probability distributions of packet arrivals are log-normally distributed, (3) packet sizes exhibit only short-term correlations, and (4) the packet size distribution and correlation structure are independent from both network utilization and time of day.
Power line channel modelling for industrial application

Motor feeder cable has been shown to be a promising communication medium between the motor and the drive in motor diagnostics and controlling. The communication channel can be used for data transmission from the sensors installed at the motor to the drive or to the control PC. This article deals with both frequency (100 kHz - 30 MHz) and time- domain channel modelling in inverter driven electrical drives.
On John McCarthy's 80th Birthday, in Honor of His Contributions

John McCarthy's contributions to computer science and artificial intelligence are legendary. He invented Lisp, made substantial contributions to early work in timesharing and the theory of computation, and was one of the founders of artificial intelligence and knowledge representation. This article, written in honor of McCarthy's 80th birthday, presents a brief biography, an overview of the major themes of his research, and a discussion of several of his major papers.
A comparison of the distribution of actin and tubulin in the mammalian mitotic spindle as seen by indirect immunofluorescence

Rabbit antibodies against actin and tubulin were used in an indirect immunofluorescence study of the structure of the mitotic spindle of PtK1 cells after lysis under conditions that preserve anaphase chromosome movement. During early prophase there is no antiactin staining associated with the mitotic centers, but by late prophase, as the spindle is beginning to form, a small ball of actin antigenicity is found beside the nucleus; After nuclear envelope breakdown, the actiactin stains the region around each mitotic center, and becomes organized into fibers that run between the chromosomes and the poles. Colchicine blocks this organization, but does not disrupt the staining at the poles. At metaphase the antiactin reveals a halo of ill-defined radius around each spindle pole and fibers that run from the poles to the metaphase plate. Antitubulin shows astral rays, fibers running from chromosomes to poles, and some fibers that run across the metaphase plate. At anaphase, there is a shortening of the antiactin-stained fibers, leaving a zone which is essentially free of actin-staining fluorescence between the separating chromosomes. Antitubulin stains the region between chromosomes and poles, but also reveals substantial fibers running through the zone between separating chromosomes. Cells fixed during cytokinesis show actin in the region of the cleavage furrow, while antitubulin reveals the fibrous spindle remnant that runs between daughter cells. These results suggest that actin is a component of the mammalian mitotic spindle, that the distribution of actin differs from that of tubulin and that the distributions of these two fibrous proteins change in different ways during anaphase.
Scheduling in Grid Databases

Many global organizations are generating large volumes of highly distributed data that must be shared for querying by the organization's participants, which can be put together by a grid infrastructure. Scheduling query execution in these environment is an important issue. Centralized and hierarchical scheduling architectures are between the most commonly used scheduling architectures in distributed databases and grid computing, respectively. Each architectural model has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, we evaluate the usage of both models in querying highly distributed data. We consider several scheduling policies and experimentally compare scheduling models and policies in terms of throughput and SLO-fulfillment. The obtained results indicate that layered on-demand scheduling may lead to good results in both throughput and SLO-oriented environments.
Gir for the Giriama: the case for Zebu dairying in the tropics - a review.

The aim of this review paper is to evaluate opportunities for selecting the most profitable cow for smallholder dairy production in hot and humid tropics. The inherent climatic characteristics of the tropics are discussed here as possible bottlenecks to productivity of dairy cattle. The traits relevant for dairy production cut across functionality of the animal, adaptation to the environment to the most important milk production traits. A contrast of performance in various traits between most common breeds utilized for dairy in the tropics has been highlighted. Body conformation, thermo-tolerance, parasitic resistance, feed efficiency, locomotion, fertility and milk production are discussed here as part of the unavoidable considerations when breeding for tropical dairy production. Notably, to sustain the production of milk, functional and survival traits account for the sustainability and profitability of the milk business. Longevity, a composite trait that enables achievement of higher milk average per cow per year should be targeted in an optimal milk breeding objective. Tropical highlands have benefitted from high milk producing Bos taurus breeds, however, dairy farmers from the coastal lowlands have been unable to replicate this success. It is proposed here that matching a dairy breed to the environment could be more sustainable than adjusting the environment to fit a particular breed. The development of Zebu cattle for dairy production has been attempted with varying levels of success. Very rarely are Zebu cattle developed for purebred dairy production. This review paper highlights the case of Brazilian-Gir cattle and recommends strategic use of proven Zebu genetics as an entry point for improving productivity of smallholder dairy farming in Coastal lowland tropics.
The Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Ion Exchange Properties of Caesium-Selective Ammonium Phosphomolybdate-Polyacrylonitrile (AMP-PAN) Composites under Spent Fuel Recycling Conditions

The caesium radioisotopes 134Cs, 135Cs, and 137Cs are highly problematic medium-lived species produced during nuclear fission, due to their high radioactivity and environmental mobility. While many ion exchange materials can readily isolate Cs+ ions from neutral or basic aqueous solutions, only ammonium phosphomolybdate (AMP) functions effectively in acidic conditions, removing caesium even down to trace levels. Composites of AMP in a porous polymeric support such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN) can be used to selectively remove Cs+ ions from acidic aqueous decontamination liquors as well as other liquid wastes, and are promising for the isolation of Cs+ isotopes in spent fuel reprocessing. While both AMP and PAN have demonstrable acid stability, and PAN has known resistance to gamma radiation, AMP-PAN composites have received only a limited analysis of their physiochemical and ion exchange performance following irradiation. In this publication, we explore the effect of high levels of gamma irradiation on the ion exchange properties of AMP and AMP-PAN as a Cs+-selective adsorbent under spent fuel dissolver liquor concentrations and acidity. We demonstrate no significant reduction in performance with respect to uptake kinetics or capacity upon irradiation, abiding by the same absorption mechanism observed in the established literature.
Basal ganglia output reflects internally-specified movements

How movements are selected is a fundamental question in systems neuroscience. While many studies have elucidated the sensorimotor transformations underlying stimulus-guided movements, less is known about how internal goals – critical drivers of goal-directed behavior – guide movements. The basal ganglia are known to bias movement selection according to value, one form of internal goal. Here, we examine whether other internal goals, in addition to value, also influence movements via the basal ganglia. We designed a novel task for mice that dissociated equally rewarded internally-specified and stimulus-guided movements, allowing us to test how each engaged the basal ganglia. We found that activity in the substantia nigra pars reticulata, a basal ganglia output, predictably differed preceding internally-specified and stimulus-guided movements. Incorporating these results into a simple model suggests that internally-specified movements may be facilitated relative to stimulus-guided movements by basal ganglia processing. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.13833. 001
Female School Leaders’ Perceptions and Experiences of Decentralisation and Distributed Leadership in the Tatweer System in Saudi Arabia

While school reform has been the subject of much research globally, few studies have examined “on the ground” educational reform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), especially in relation to the “Tatweer” System, an initiative which purports to transform education and lead educational change within the country. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap and reports on a study which examined female leaders’ perceptions and experiences of the system. A qualitative case study of three Tatweer schools was conducted, with data being drawn from one-on-one interviews (n = 16), focus group interviews (n = 4) and documentary analysis. Our findings suggest that the Tatweer system is what can be termed “semi-decentralised”, which appears to be linked to issues of accountability, trust, and perceived staff competence. However, at the local level, major breakthroughs seem to have taken place in relation to distributing leadership responsibilities and decision-making processes within these female-led schools.
Born Both Ways: The Alloparenting Hypothesis for Sexual Fluidity in Women

Given the primacy of reproduction, same-sex sexual behavior poses an evolutionary puzzle. Why would selection fashion motivational mechanisms to engage in sexual behaviors with members of the same sex? We propose the alloparenting hypothesis, which posits that sexual fluidity in women is a contingent adaptation that increased ancestral women's ability to form pair bonds with female alloparents who helped them rear children to reproductive age. Ancestral women recurrently faced the adaptive problems of securing resources and care for their offspring, but were frequently confronted with either a dearth of paternal resources due to their mates' death, an absence of paternal investment due to rape, or a divestment of paternal resources due to their mates' extra-pair mating efforts. A fluid sexuality would have helped ancestral women secure resources and care for their offspring by promoting the acquisition of allomothering investment from unrelated women. Under this view, most heterosexual women are born with the capacity to form romantic bonds with both sexes. Sexual fluidity is a conditional reproductive strategy with pursuit of men as the default strategy and same-sex sexual responsiveness triggered when inadequate paternal investment occurs or when women with alloparenting capabilities are encountered. Discussion focuses on (a) evidence for alloparenting and sexual fluidity in humans and other primates; (b) alternative explanations for sexual fluidity in women; and (c) fourteen circumstances predicted to promote same-sex sexual behavior in women.
User-defined Signatures for Source Incremental Model-to-text Transformation

Model-to-text (M2T) transformation is an important part of model driven engineering, as it is used to generate a variety of textual artefacts from models, such as build scripts, configuration files, documentation and code. Despite the importance of M2T transformation, building M2T transformations that scale with the size of the input model(s) remains challenging because most contemporary M2T transformation languages do not provide adequate support for incremental transformations. We have previously proposed the use of automatic signatures, as a technique for source incremental transformations. In this paper, we introduce user-defined signatures, which outperform automatic signatures. We perform a comparative analysis of user-defined signatures with automatic signatures, and non-incremental transformation by application to an existing M2T transformation.
Building Evolving Ontology Maps for Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery in Biomedical Informatics

The explosion of biomedical data and the growing number of disparate data sources are exposing researchers to a new challenge - how to acquire, maintain and share knowledge from large and distributed databases in the context of rapidly evolving research. This paper describes research in progress on a new methodology for leveraging the semantic content of ontologies to improve knowledge discovery in complex and dynamic domains. It aims to build a multidimensional ontology able to share knowledge from different experiments undertaken across aligned research communities in order to connect areas of science seemingly unrelated to the area of immediate interest. We analyze how ontologies and data mining may facilitate biomedical data analysis and present our efforts to bridge the two fields, knowledge discovery in databases, and ontology learning for successful data mining in large databases. In particular we present an initial biomedical ontology case study and how we are integrating that with a data mining environment.
Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Dendritic Plasticity Support Running-Improved Spatial Learning and Depression-Like Behaviour in Stressed Rats

Exercise promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and dendritic plasticity while stress shows the opposite effects, suggesting a possible mechanism for exercise to counteract stress. Changes in hippocampal neurogenesis and dendritic modification occur simultaneously in rats with stress or exercise; however, it is unclear whether neurogenesis or dendritic remodeling has a greater impact on mediating the effect of exercise on stress since they have been separately examined. Here we examined hippocampal cell proliferation in runners treated with different doses (low: 30 mg/kg; moderate: 40 mg/kg; high: 50 mg/kg) of corticosterone (CORT) for 14 days. Water maze task and forced swim tests were applied to assess hippocampal-dependent learning and depression-like behaviour respectively the day after the treatment. Repeated CORT treatment resulted in a graded increase in depression-like behaviour and impaired spatial learning that is associated with decreased hippocampal cell proliferation and BDNF levels. Running reversed these effects in rats treated with low or moderate, but not high doses of CORT. Using 40 mg/kg CORT-treated rats, we further studied the role of neurogenesis and dendritic remodeling in mediating the effects of exercise on stress. Co-labelling with BrdU (thymidine analog) /doublecortin (immature neuronal marker) showed that running increased neuronal differentiation in vehicle- and CORT-treated rats. Running also increased dendritic length and spine density in CA3 pyramidal neurons in 40 mg/kg CORT-treated rats. Ablation of neurogenesis with Ara-c infusion diminished the effect of running on restoring spatial learning and decreasing depression-like behaviour in 40 mg/kg CORT-treated animals in spite of dendritic and spine enhancement. but not normal runners with enhanced dendritic length. The results indicate that both restored hippocampal neurogenesis and dendritic remodelling within the hippocampus are essential for running to counteract stress.