Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Removing Confounding Factors via Constraint Based Clustering: An Application to Finding Homogeneous Groups of Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Confounding factors in unsupervised data can lead to undesirable clustering results. For example in medical datasets, age is often a confounding factor in tests designed to judge the severity of a patient's disease through measures of mobility, eyesight and hearing. In such cases, removing age from each instance will not remove its effect from the data as other features will be correlated with age. We present a method based on constraint-based clustering to remove the impact of such confounding factors. Motivated by the need to find homogeneous groups of multiple sclerosis patients, we apply our approach to remove physician subjectivity from patient data. The result is a promising novel grouping of patients that can help uncover the factors that impact disease progression in MS.
Human-swarm interaction using spatial gestures

This paper presents a machine vision based approach for human operators to select individual and groups of autonomous robots from a swarm of UAVs. The angular distance between the robots and the human is estimated using measures of the detected human face, which aids to determine human and multi-UAV localization and positioning. In turn, this is exploited to effectively and naturally make the human select the spatially situated robots. Spatial gestures for selecting robots are presented by the human operator using tangible input devices (i.e., colored gloves). To select individuals and groups of robot we formulate a vocabulary of two-handed spatial pointing gestures. With the use of a Support Vector Machine (SVM) trained in a cascaded multi-binary-class configuration, the spatial gestures are effectively learned and recognized by a swarm of UAVs.
Mused: Navigating the Personal sample Library

This work outlines the concept of personal sample library, a large database of event-synchronous audio segments extracted from a user’s digital music collection. It identifies tasks involved in making sample-based music and audio collage, and shows how interfaces to the personal sample library can aid these tasks and simplify the music development cycle. In this experiment, we implement an interactive scatter plot with dynamic queries to browse, discover, and select material from our database of samples.
The effectiveness of back squats and depth jumps on eliciting postactivation potentiation

PURPOSE: Data show that heavy preload stimuli preceding a sprint can improve performance by eliciting postactivation potentiation (PAP), an increased intramuscular sensitivity to calcium that enhances cross-bridge cycling, thereby acutely enhancing force production and strength. The aim of this study was to compare depth jumps (DJ) to back squats (BS) as a means to elicit PAP in college aged female rowers. METHODS: Twenty Division III collegiate female athletes, whose mean ± SD for age, height, weight, and VO2 Max were, respectively, 18.9 ± 0.9y, 1.5 ± 0.05m, 60.7 ± 21.4kg and 42.8 ± 4.44 ml.kg-1.min-1, completed a 40m sprint timed at 10m, 20m, and 40m with an electronic timing system. Subjects were randomly divided into either the DJ or BS group. Subsequently, their one repetition maximum (1 RM) for the BS or DJ was measured. One week later, subjects completed a 40m sprint, and then three repetitions at 90% of their 1RM for BS or three DJ; after 7 min of active rest, they completed a second 40m sprint. A dynamic warm-up and active cool down preceded and followed each testing session. Data were analyzed with three 2x2 repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc ttest performed where significance was found. RESULTS: Both conditions increased sprint time at 40m with DJ being significantly slower while BS only trended toward significance; DJ and BS 20m sprint time was also slower although not significantly. CONCLUSION: The data show that three repetitions at 90% of 1RM for BS or three DJ did not elicit PAP in female college rowers. These findings may be related to sex, load, training incompatibility, or sprinting proficiency in this subject population.
Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of Intense Pulsed Light in the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Purpose. This study aims to explore the safety and efficacy of a novel treatment-intense pulsed light (IPL) in MGD eyes. Methods. This study is a prospective and open label study. Forty eyes of 40 MGD patients were recruited in the study and received 4 consecutive IPL treatments on day 1, day 15, day 45, and day 75. Ten ocular surface symptoms were evaluated with a subjective face score at every visit. Best spectacle corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), conjunctival injection, upper and lower tear meniscus height (TMH), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal staining, lid margin and meibomian gland assessments, and meibography were also recorded at every visit, as well as the adverse effects on the eye and ocular surface. Results. Significant improvements were observed in single and total ocular surface symptom scores, TBUT, and conjunctival injection at all the visits after the initial IPL treatment (P < 0.05). Compared to baseline, the signs of eyelid margin, meibomian gland secretion quality, and expressibility were significantly improved at every visit after treatments. There was no regional and systemic threat observed in any patient. Conclusion. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a safe and efficient treatment in relieving symptoms and signs of MGD eyes.
Mediating Effect of Decentering on the Relationship between Self Discouragement and Psychological Wellbeing of University Students

This study has been carried out in order to investigate the mediating effect of decentering on the relationship of self discouragement and psychological well-being of undergraduate students. The data of self discouragement, decentering and psychological well-being were obtained. Finally, the total data of 243 undergraduate students were analyzed. The results of this study were as follows. Finally, the total data of 243 undergraduate students were analyzed. Second, decentering partially mediated the relation between self discouragement and psychological well-being. In other words, self discouragement impeded decentering and influenced on psychological well-being negatively. The implications and limitations of this study were discussed.
OFS Method for Selecting Active Features using Clustering Techniques

Feature selection is the important method in data mining. In the traditional batch learning method, it is difficult to retrieve the selected features or data from the large set of dataset. The offline feature selection is difficult because it follows a priori. To overcome the offline selection features we are going to online feature selection by separating as a subset using classification and clustering techniques through that it will create a table and creates the attributes automatically. We cannot predict the range of the table accurately. So we are giving an average range, which can increase or decrease. It has the most relevant and correlated data it forms a subset and compares with the entropy and then it forms a tree construction by the subsets. Through the full input and partial input it produces the efficient and relevant result with any correlation. This will analyze the problem theoretically as well as practically using different data sets.
A rite of passage? Exploring youth transformation and global citizenry in the study abroad experience

ABSTRACT Travel, long recognised as a rite of passage, is often also touted as a transformative experience which facilitates cross-cultural understanding, fosters an embrace of diversity and promotes global awareness. This process is aligned with youth development and has a rich history in the tourism literature. The importance of transformational travel, however, has now spread to programmes across the higher education landscape, with the recognition that travel has the potential to nurture a global citizenry. Additionally, for many young people, the motivation for studying abroad is to assist in the transition to adulthood. In this way, educational travel is similar to an ‘overseas experience’ or a ‘gap year’. It is often taken at an important time of transition in emerging adulthood, for example, from school to work. We argue that this period of identity formation for youth can be likened to a rite of passage much like the Grand Tour of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was for young European men and women. Our paper examines the role of the study abroad experience in promoting youth transformation and global citizenry.
Performance analysis of cooperative transmission for cognitive wireless relay networks

In this paper, we consider cooperative transmission in cognitive wireless relay networks (CWRNs) over frequency-selective fading channels. We propose a new distributed space-time-frequency block code (DSTFBC) for a two-hop nonregenerative CWRN, where a primary source node and multiple secondary source nodes convey information data to their desired primary destination node and multiple secondary destination nodes via multiple cognitive relay nodes with dynamic spectrum access. The proposed DSTFBC is designed to achieve spatial diversity gain as well as allow for low-complexity decoupling detection at the receiver. Pairwise error probability is then analysed to study the achievable diversity gain of the proposed DSTFBC for different channel models including Rician fading and mixed Rayleigh-Rician fading.
Using digest pages to increase user result space: Preliminary designs

It is well known that in web search, users access only a small fraction of the presented results. Increasing the result space of web users to provide them more relevant information but without expecting them to access more results is thus important as the amount of information published on the web is continuously growing. In this paper, we introduce the concept of a digest page, which is a fictitious document built from the clustering of result documents returned by a search engine as answers to a query, and where each cluster has its documents summarized into the digest page. This paper presents preliminary designs regarding the construction, the presentation, and the ranking of digest pages. It also shows how digest pages can be used to capture the context of a query through the concept of an aggregated digest page, which is based on the aggregated search paradigm offered by some search engines.
The Effect and Mechanism of Tamoxifen-Induced Hepatocyte Steatosis in Vitro

The aim of this study was to determine the effect and mechanism of tamoxifen (TAM)-induced steatosis in vitro. HepG 2 (Human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line) cells were treated with different concentrations of TAM for 72 h. Steatosis of hepatocytes was determined after Oil Red O staining and measurement of triglyceride (TG) concentration. The expressions of genes in the TG homeostasis pathway, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), were examined using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was examined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. We found that hepatocytes treated with TAM had: (1) induced hepatocyte steatosis and increased hepatocyte TG; (2) upregulation of SREBP-1c, FAS, ACC, SCD and MTP mRNA expressions (300%, 600%, 70%, 130% and 160%, respectively); (3) corresponding upregulation of protein expression; and (4) no difference in HepG 2 cell proliferation. Our results suggest that TAM can induce hepatocyte steatosis in vitro and that the enhancement of fatty acid synthesis through the upregulations of SREBP-1c and its downstream target genes (FAS, ACC and SCD) may be the key mechanism of TAM-induced hepatocyte steatosis.
SPARQL over GraphX

The ability of the RDF data model to link data from heterogeneous domains has led to an explosive growth of RDF data. So, evaluating SPARQL queries over large RDF data has been crucial for the semantic web community. However, due to the graph nature of RDF data, evaluating SPARQL queries in relational databases and common data-parallel systems needs a lot of joins and is inefficient. On the other hand, the enormity of datasets that are graph in nature such as social network data, has led the database community to develop graph-parallel processing systems to support iterative graph computations efficiently. In this work we take advantage of the graph representation of RDF data and exploit GraphX, a new graph processing system based on Spark. We propose a subgraph matching algorithm, compatible with the GraphX programming model to evaluate SPARQL queries. Some experiments are performed to show the system scalability to handle large datasets.
A Low-Cost Algorithmfor Multicast

This paper presents a low-cost algorithm for multicast routing in computer networks. For performance evaluation, it is compared with Link-State multicast routing , which is a low-delay algorithm used by the Internet MOSPF protocol 1]. This new algorithm supports the group concept and the unknown-destination delivery. It uses a minimum average distance method to select the forwarding links to achieve the low-cost goal. Another important feature of this algorithm is that no delivery tree has to be maintained, which eliminates the problem of memory and CPU congestion. Moreover, its computation time complexity is only linear in the group size. Simulation study shows that this algorithm can lower delay by as much as 40 percent for the same ooered load, compared with the low-delay algorithm.
A Notion of Approximation for Systems over Finite Alphabets

We consider the problem of approximating plants with discrete sensors and actuators (termed 'systems over finite alphabets') by deterministic finite memory systems for the purpose of certified-by-design controller synthesis. We propose a new, control-oriented notion of input/output approximation for these systems, that builds on ideas from robust control theory and behavioral systems theory. We conclude with a brief discussion of the key features of the proposed notion of approximation relative to those of two existing notions of finite state approximation and abstraction. I. INTRODUCTION High fidelity models that accurately describe a dynam- ical system are often too complex to use for controller design. The problem of finding a lower complexity model that approximates a given plant has thus been extensively studied and continues to receive much deserved attention (see (3), (12) and the references therein). In order to be truly useful in this setting, a model complexity reduction approach should provide both a lower complexity model and a rigorous assessment of the quality of approximation that would simultaneously allow one to systematically and efficiently design a controller based on the lower complexity model as well as quantify its performance when implemented in the actual system (assumed to be faithfully captured by the high complexity model). One of the big success stories has been for the class of linear time-invariant systems. In this setting, model com- plexity is captured by the order of the system, and the standard model complexity reduction problem (equivalently, the standard LTI model order reduction problem) can be stated as follows: Given a stable LTI plant P of order n, find a stable LTI plant ˜ P of order m < n such that the H1 norm of the transfer function of the difference system P ˜ P is minimized. Intuitively, ˜
Scaled group consensus of delayed second-order multi-agent systems

Scaled group consensus problem of second-order multi-agent systems is investigated in this paper, and the dynamical and stationary consensus protocols are proposed respectively. Firstly, scaled group consensus is analyzed for the second-order multi-agent systems with directed interconnection topology. Subjected to time-varying communication delay, then, the dynamical and stationary consensus protocols in synchronously-coupled forms are adopted for the second-order multi-agent systems, and delay-dependent sufficient consensus conditions in the form of Linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) are obtained by constructing Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional. Finally, simulation examples are given to verify the theoretical results.
The Context API in the OMA Next Generation Service Interface

Application Platforms and related APIs are becoming the foundations for emerging eco-systems of online applications/services. End-users are more and more choosing devices and services based on the available offers in the respective eco-system. Attracting and retaining application developers and end-users to a networked platform is nowadays more and more depending on the features available to developers in the form of APIs and (e.g. cloud-based) execution environments rather than on the actual portfolio of services. The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Next Generation Service Interfaces (NGSI) is one cornerstone of evolving a network operator towards an application platform provider with open APIs. Within NGSI, the Context API enables access to a plethora of rich information about users, places, events, and things - all made available by or brokered through the network operator. This paper explains the OMA NGSI Context API and its rationale, describes the operations, and discusses typical use cases and benefits it can bring to operators and application developers.
Provably Secure Trusted Access Protocol for WLAN Mesh Networks

Available WLAN Mesh network access protocols and trusted network connect protocols can not satisfy the performance and security requirements of WLAN Mesh networks in trusted environment. A provably secure trusted access protocol MN-TAP for the WLAN Mesh Networks is proposed. Such protocol will achieve authentication and key confirmation among the access requestor, policy enforcement point and policy decision point within 4 protocol rounds. Meanwhile, the protocol can realize the platform authentication and platform integrity verification in the first round of protocol interaction, which will improve the efficiency of the protocol and decrease the overhead of the server. We use a provably secure model, named the universally composable secure model, to analyze the security of the protocol. And we use of compare analysis to discover the performance advantages of the protocol. The results show that: the protocol is a UC-secure protocol, and the performance has great advantages over the current protocols.
Poster: Node placement adviser for sensor network deployment

In this poster, we propose a new tool, i.e. a node placement adviser, which supports deployment workers of sensor networks. The adviser tool is realized in the form of mobile terminal software and acts as a proxy of an additional node, as well as communicating with those already placed. Based on the communication results, it indicates how favorable the current location is to a worker.
Localizing Faults in Digital Chips using Steady-State Current Measurements

Abstract Quiescent Signal Analysis (QSA) is a novel electrical-test-baseddiagnostictechniquethat usesIDDQ measurementsmadeatmultiplechipsupplypadsasameansof locatingshortingdefectsin the layout.Theuseof multiple supplypadsreducesthe adverseeffectsof leakagecurrent by scalingthetotal leakagecurrentover multiple measurements.In previous work, a resistancemodelfor QSA was developed and demonstratedon a small circuit. In this paper , theweaknesses of theoriginal QSA modelareidentified, in thecontext of a productionpower grid (PPG)and probecardmodel,anda new modelis described.Thenew QSA algorithm is developed from the analysisof IDDQ contourplots.A “f amily” of hyperbolacurvesis shown to be a goodfit to the contourcurves.The parametersto the hyperbolaequationsare derived with the help of inserted calibrationtransistors.Simulationexperimentsareusedto demonstratethe prediction accuracy of the methodon a PPG.
The Critical Period for Ocular Dominance Plasticity in the Ferret’s Visual Cortex

Microelectrode recordings and optical imaging of intrinsic signals were used to define the critical period for susceptibility to monocular deprivation (MD) in the primary visual cortex of the ferret. Ferrets were monocularly deprived for 2, 7 or >14 d, beginning between postnatal day 19 (P19) and P110. The responses of visual cortical neurons to stimulation of the two eyes were used to gauge the onset, peak, and decline of the critical period. MDs ending before P32 produced little or no loss of response to the deprived eye. MDs of 7 d or more beginning around P42 produced the greatest effects. A rapid decline in cortical susceptibility to MD was observed after the seventh week of life, such that MDs beginning between P50 and P65 were approximately half as effective as those beginning on P42; MDs beginning after P100 did not reduce the response to the deprived eye below that to the nondeprived eye. At all ages, 2 d deprivations were 55–85% as effective as 7 d of MD. Maps of intrinsic optical responses from the deprived eye were weaker and less well tuned for orientation than those from the nondeprived eye, with the weakest maps seen in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the deprived eye. Analysis of the effects of 7 d and longer deprivations revealed a second period of plasticity in cortical responses in which MD induced an effect like that of strabismus. After P70, MD caused a marked loss of binocular responses with little or no overall loss of response to the deprived eye. The critical period measured here is compared to other features of development in ferret and cat.
Non-spindle microtubule organizing centers in metaphase II-arrested mouse oocytes

A human autoantiserum (5051) directed against pericentriolar material (PCM) was used to study the distribution of microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs) in the oocyte and during the first cell cycle of mouse development. In oocytes, the PCM was found not only at the poles of the barrel-shaped metaphase II spindle but also at many discrete loci around the cytoplasm near the cell cortex. The spindle poles were also composed of several PCM foci. In metaphase-arrested eggs only the PCM foci located near the chromosomes acted as MTOCs. However, after reduction of the critical concentration for tubulin polymerization by taxol, the cytoplasmic PCM foci were also found to be associated with nucleation of microtubules. After fertilization the cortical PCM foci remained in a peripheral position until the end of the S phase, when they appeared to migrate centrally towards the pronuclei. At prometaphase of the first mitotic division, numerous MTOCs were found around the two sets of chromosomes; these MTOCs then aligned to form two bands on either side of the metaphase plate of the first mitosis.