Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Power Optimization in Fault-Tolerant Topology Control Algorithms for Wireless Multi-hop Networks

In ad hoc wireless networks, it is crucial to minimize power consumption while maintaining key network properties. This work studies power assignments of wireless devices that minimize power while maintaining k-fault tolerance. Specifically, we require all links established by this power setting be symmetric and form a k-vertex connected subgraph of the network graph. This problem is known to be NP-hard. We show current heuristic approaches can use arbitrarily more power than the optimal solution. Hence, we seek approximation algorithms for this problem. We present three approximation algorithms. The first algorithm gives an O(kalpha)-approximation where is the best approximation factor for the related problem in wired networks (the best alpha so far is O(log k)). With a more careful analysis, we show our second (slightly more complicated) algorithm is an O(k)-approximation. Our third algorithm assumes that the edge lengths of the network graph form a metric. In this case, we present simple and practical distributed algorithms for the cases of 2- and 3-connectivity with constant approximation factors. We generalize this algorithm to obtain an O(k2c+2)-approximation for general k-connectivity (2 les c les 4 is the power attenuation exponent). Finally, we show that these approximation algorithms compare favorably with existing heuristics. We note that all algorithms presented in this paper can be used to minimize power while maintaining -edge connectivity with guaranteed approximation factors. Recently, different set of authors used the notion of k-connectivity and the results of this paper to deal with the fault-tolerance issues for static wireless network settings.
Timeliness and quality of care for elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction under health maintenance organization vs fee-for-service insurance.

BACKGROUND A commonly voiced concern is that health maintenance organizations (HMOs) may withhold or delay the provision of urgent, essential care, especially for vulnerable patients like the elderly. OBJECTIVE To compare the quality of emergency care provided in Minnesota to elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who are covered by HMO vs fee-for-service (FFS) insurance. METHODS We reviewed the medical records of 2304 elderly Medicare patients who were admitted with AMI to 20 urban community hospitals in Minnesota (representing 91% of beds in areas served by HMOs) from October 1992 through July 1993 and from July 1995 through April 1996. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Use of emergency transportation and treatment delay (>6 hours from symptom onset); time to electrocardiogram; use of aspirin, thrombolytics, and beta-blockers among eligible patients; and time from hospital arrival to thrombolytic administration (door-to-needle time). RESULTS Demographic characteristics, severity of symptoms, and comorbidity characteristics were almost identical among HMO (n = 612) and FFS (n = 1692) patients. A cardiologist was involved as a consultant or the attending physician in the care of 80% of HMO patients and 82% of FFS patients (P = .12). The treatment delay, time to electrocardiogram, use of thrombolytic agents, and door-to-needle times were almost identical. However, 56% of HMO patients and 51% of FFS patients used emergency transportation (P = .02); most of this difference was observed for patients with AMIs that occurred at night (60% vs 52%; P = .02). Health maintenance organization patients were somewhat more likely than FFS patients to receive aspirin therapy (88% vs 83%; P = .03) and beta-blocker therapy (73% vs 62%; P = .04); these differences were partly explained by a significantly larger proportion of younger physicians in HMOs who were more likely to order these drug therapies. All differences were consistent across the 3 largest HMOs (1 staff-group model and 2 network model HMOs). Logistic regression analyses controlling for demographic and clinical variables produced similar results, except that the differences in the use of beta-blockers became insignificant. CONCLUSIONS No indicators of timeliness and quality of care for elderly patients with AMIs were lower under HMO vs FFS insurance coverage in Minnesota. However, two indicators of quality care were slightly but significantly higher in the HMO setting (use of emergency transportation and aspirin therapy). Further research is needed in other states, in different populations, and for different medical conditions.
Partial Parallel Interference Cancellation Techniques with Adaptive RAKE Combining for DS-CDMA Ultra-Wideband Wireless Communications

Two kinds of RAKE receiver combining schemes are investigated for a partial parallel interference cancellation (PPIC) technique, including maximal ratio combining (MRC) and minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) combining, in directsequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA) ultrawideband (UWB) systems. We use the normalized least meansquared algorithm to approach the MMSE solution for the RAKE combining weights. Simulation results show that multiple access interference can be effectively reduced by the proposed methods and whether channel information is given to the MRC scheme or not, the MMSE combining scheme outperforms the MRC scheme. This implies that complicated channel estimation of accurate fading gains may not be needed in a PPIC detector for DS-CDMA UWB systems. Keywords-Direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DSCDMA); ultra-wideband (UWB); multiple access interference (MAI); partial parallel interference cancellation (PPIC); normalized least mean-squared (NLMS) algorithm
Data Fusion for Outlier Detection through Pseudo-ROC Curves and Rank Distributions

This paper proposes a novel method of fusing models for classification of unbalanced data. The unbalanced data contains a majority of healthy (negative) instances, and a minority of unhealthy (positive) instances. The applicability of this type of classification problem with security applications inspired the naming of such problems as security classification problems (SCP). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) is the metric utilized to measure classifier performance, and in order to better understand AUC and ROC behavior, pseudo-ROC curves created from simulated data are introduced. ROC curves depend entirely upon the rankings created by classifiers. The rank distributions discussed in this paper display classifier performance in a novel form, and the behavior of these rank distributions provides insight into classifier fusion for the SCP. Rank distributions, which illustrate the probability of a particular rank containing a positive or negative instance, will be introduced and used to explain why synergistic classifier fusion occurs.
ESQP: an efficient SQL query processing for cloud data management

Recently, the cloud computing platform is getting more and more attentions as a new trend of data management. Currently there are several cloud computing products that can provide various services. However, most cloud platforms are not designed for structured data management. So they rarely support SQL queries directly. Even though some platforms support SQL queries, their bottoms are traditional relational database, therefore, the cost for executing a subquery in RDBS may influence the overall query performance. How to improve query efficiency in cloud data management system, especially query on structured data has become a more and more important problem. To address the issue, an efficient algorithm about query processing on structured data is proposed. Our approach is inspired by the idea of MapReduce, in which a job is divided into several tasks. Based on the distributed storage of one table, this algorithm divides a user query into different subqueries, at the same time, with replicas in cloud, a subquery is mapped to k+1 subqueries. Every subquery has to wait in the queue of the slave where the query data store. To balance the load, our algorithm also takes two scheduling strategies to dispatch the subquery. Besides, in order to reduce the client's long waiting time, we adopt the pipeline strategy to process result returning. Finally, we demonstrate the efficiency and scalability of our algorithm with kinds of experiments. Our approach is quite general and independent from the underlying infrastructure and can be easily carried over for implementation on various cloud computing platforms.
Capacity improvement of cellular CDMA by the subspace-tracking array-receiver

Based on a new formulation derived from array signal processing theory, we develop in this contribution the subspace-tracking array-receiver (STAR) for cellular CDMA in a multipath environment. The new receiver, STAR, shows fast tracking capability in the presence of strong nonstationarities, requires a low order of computational complexity and increases the uplink capacity of the CDMA system in terms of number of users per cell.
Considering heterogeneity within assumed homogenous generational cohorts

This study aims to address demographic variables believed likely to restrain or modify homogeneous attitudes and values purported as inherent in each generational cohort and associated with divergence of workplace preferences and expectations. ,Using a subsample of data collected from a larger study conducted as part of the General Social Survey and supported by the National Science Foundation, this study contributes to the emerging generational differences in literature by using Kruskal–Wallis tests in the analysis of five generational research questions. ,In one sense, the results of this study appear to reflect the mixed and confusing disarray of evidence regarding the influence of generational differences on job preferences and workplace behaviors. On only two of the five job characteristics in this study did generational cohort membership demonstrate beyond random chance divergence in generational preference. However, the analysis of the interaction of cohort membership and demographic covariates on these two job characteristics points toward merit in further examination of relationship of subgroup differences relative to overarching assumptions about generational attitudes and norms of behavior. ,A number of limitations to the interpretation of this study merit reflection. First, given that the data for this study were cross-sectional in nature, the relationships in our study may be subject to temporal change. Second, the data were secured by self-report and is subject to all the limitations of self-reported data. Third, some of the demographic variables in this study were the result of aggregation in an attempt to secure adequate observations in each cell, and as such, important variance may have been concealed. Fourth, the study did not control for the confounding influence of age difference on cohort preferences. ,In a rush to adapt and develop different approaches to human resource management in hope of meeting the needs of successive generational cohorts, it behooves scholars and practitioners alike to acknowledge the confused state of research on generational cohorts and to question the assumed monolithic model of generational cohort job-related likes and dislikes. ,This study would suggest that the assumed homogeneity of generational values and attitudes and their influence on the US workplace frequently fails to consider the heterogeneity evolving from the rural/urban characteristics where cohort members experienced adolescence. ,Scholars will appreciate the broad perspective presented in this study and the potential new avenues for research. For practitioners, the study provides valuable insights into the three dominant generational cohorts currently in the workplace, thus enabling practitioners to understand the underpinnings of performance and work climate with greater depth and breadth of perspective.
SN 2002cv: a heavily obscured Type Ia supernova

We present V RIJHK photometry, and optical and near-infrared spectroscopy, of the heavily extinguished Type Ia supernova (SN) 2002cv, located in NGC 3190, which is also the parent galaxy of the Type Ia SN 2002bo. SN 2002cv, not visible in the blue, has a total visual extinction of 8.74±0.21 mag. In spite of this we were able to obtain the light curves between 10 and +207 days from the maximum in the I band, and also to follow the spectral evolution, deriving its key parameters. We found the peak I-band brightness to be Imax = 16.57±0.10 mag, the maximum absolute I magnitude to be M max I
Measuring high-speed TCP performance during mobile handovers

We analyse throughput adaptation of high-speed TCP protocols during handovers in an emulation testbed. We use emulation characteristics reflecting current mobile networks and future network specifications as set by the relevant standards. We found that the performance of TCP protocols is satisfactory, except as follows. Traditional loss-based TCP-s like BIC, highspeed and scalable adapt slowly to sudden link capacity increases caused by handovers. Fast TCP adapts much faster, however depending on parameter settings it may under-utilise after a capacity decrease coupled with RTT increase. We also calculate the probability of buffer overflows at handover as the function of the buffer size and transmission parameters at the bottleneck link. This probability turns out to be significant for reasonable scenarios, and we suggest a dynamic buffer re-allocation method to eliminate such buffer overruns in mobile networks.
State Policies to Improve Undergraduate Teaching

Although many individual colleges and universities are giving renewed attention to undergraduate instruction, many state legislatures remain concerned about institutional commitment to teaching. They have targeted faculty work and faculty productivity, especially with respect to teaching. Legislative concern about improving instruction has taken different forms in different states. Recently enacted state policies include mandated post-tenure review in Florida (Haworth, 1996), the faculty workload mandate in Ohio that requires faculty to increase the time spent on teaching (Cage, 1995), more stringent workload reporting requirements in Maryland (Presley & Engelbride, 1998), and policies relating institutional funding to performance indicators in Tennessee, South Carolina, and several other states (Carnevale, Johnson, & Edwards, 1998). Different policies targeting teaching and learning are likely to have varying effects, especially as the policies are mediated through very different types of twoand four-year institutional environments (Jones & Ewell, 1993). The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of two state policies with the same goal: improving undergraduate instruction and learning. Most previous case study research focused primarily on the implementation of a single policy in a single institution or type of institution within a single state. For example, recently scholars analyzed
Factors influencing response rates for advanced colorectal cancer chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND The activity of various chemotherapy regimens used in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer is assessed by different groups of investigators and in various trials by what appear to be common criteria. However, there may be substantial inter-trial variation in the interpretation and application of these criteria which contributes to differences in response rates reported for the same regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS This paper reviews the most prominent studies in this field and examines the factors which may influence the assessment of activity in clinical trials such as patient selection, the definition and application of response criteria, the methods of assessment of time to progression and duration of response, factors related to the therapeutic regimen and statistical methods. Each factor is critically discussed. RESULTS The analysis confirms that there is a large variability among the different studies and that an inter-trial comparison is often impossible, with subsequent difficulties for clinicians in determining the true impact of therapies. DISCUSSION After briefly commenting on the various issues, this review makes recommendations about how to achieve consistency among trials, for instance by using standard criteria, by extending the use of randomization even in phase II trials and by evaluating high quality, well conducted clinical trials in a meta-analysis, thereby making possible comparison across trials. The conclusions, although specific to colorectal cancer, are also applicable to other advanced malignancies.
Segmentation of noisy PET images using Bayesian matting

Accurate and robust image segmentation is identified as one of the most challenging issues in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The low spatial resolution, signal dependant noise levels and complex nature of anatomical structures have negative impact on qualitative and quantitative image segmentation analysis. Several unsupervised methods such as, Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering, active contour modeling are usually used in segmenting medical images. However, these methods are sensitive to both noise and intensity inhomogeniety, as they ignore the spatial information. In this paper, we propose a methodology which segments noisy PET images incorporating an efficient denoising technique using transform domain filters to remove the noise followed by an active contour method to segment the Region Of Interest (ROI). Finally, the segmented output is fine tuned using Bayesian matting approach. Experimental results show that the proposed approach improves the overall segmentation accuracy.
Activation of TRPA1 Channels by the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibitor 3′-Carbamoylbiphenyl-3-yl cyclohexylcarbamate (URB597)

As a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel superfamily, the ligand-gated ion channel TRPA1 has been implicated in nociceptive function and pain states. The endogenous ligands that activate TRPA1 remain unknown. However, various agonists have been identified, including environmental irritants (e.g., acrolein) and ingredients of pungent natural products [e.g., allyl isothiocyanate (ITC), cinnamaldehyde, allicin, and gingerol]. In general, these agents are either highly reactive, nonselective, or not potent or efficacious, significantly limiting their utilities in the study of TRPA1 channel properties and biological functions. In a search for novel TRPA1 agonists, we identified 3′-carbamoylbiphenyl-3-yl cyclohexylcarbamate (URB597), a potent and systemically active inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). This enzyme is responsible for anandamide degradation and therefore has been pursued as an antinociceptive and antiepileptic drug target. Using Ca2+ influx assays and patch-clamp techniques, we demonstrated that URB597 could activate heterologously expressed human and rat TRPA1 channels, whereas two other FAAH inhibitors (i.e., URB532 and Compound 7) had no effect. When applied to inside-out membrane patches expressing rat TRPA1, URB597 elicited single-channel activities with a unitary conductance of 40 pS. Furthermore, URB597 activated TRPA1 channels endogenously expressed in a population of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons that also responded to ITC. In contrast to its effect on TRPA1, URB597 inhibited TRPM8 and had no effects on TRPV1 or TRPV4. Thus, we conclude that URB597 is a novel agonist of TRPA1 and probably activates the channel through a direct gating mechanism.
Młodzież wobec wartości

The aim of the article was to show specific knowledge of young people and their world of values, whose original objective is to serve educational work. Adolescence is the time in which the processes of creating individual value system and shaping viewpoint take place. Educational support is essential in this period since despite profound sensitivity to values, discovering values by a young person does not necessarily lead to identification with them. Beside theoretical investigation, the article includes conclusions resulting from the study conducted by the author concerning values adopted and realized by young people. Questions regarding values of the young generation remain up-to-date and significant since they exhibit both social (young people are the future of the society and its chance) and individual character (values influence the shape and quality of man’s life).
Research on the Adoption of Electronic Commerce Based on Customer's Behavior

Since the inception of the Internet in the mid-1990s, e-commerce has grown at a very rapid rate. Firms had realized that they could be pushed to the world stage of the knowledge-based economic by e-commerce. So, most of firms are stepping up to the adoption of those technologies for upgrading their businesses. Regarding the significant role of customers, the study of their behaviors influence on the adoption of e-commerce by the firms becomes a main stream in scholastic path. This paper aims to study the four customer behaviors which influence the adoption of e-commerce technologies by firms. The study results showed that the customer behaviors influence the adoption of e-commerce by firms.
Body-Scaled Ratio as a Control Parameter for Prehension in 9-Year-Old Children 5-to

The purpose of the experiment was threefold: (a) To find evidence that grasping is body-scaled and thus remains invariant during development; (b) to seek evidence that the body-scaled ratio of cube and hand size serves as a control parameter for the phase transition from one-handed to two-handed grasping by identifying the presence of sudden jump, enhanced variance, multistability, and hysteresis; and (c) to examine whether the stability properties of the observed grasping patterns increase with age. Thirty-three children aged 5, 7, and 9 years old were required to grasp and lift 14 cardboard cubes of different sizes (2.2, 3.2, 4.2, etc. to 16.2 cm diameter). Three conditions were used: (a) an increasing condition with sizes ordered from the smallest size to the largest; (b) a decreasing condition, with the sizes ordered from the largest to the smallest; and (c) twice in a different random order. Video recordings were analyzed and scored for the percentage of one-handed grasps. The results showed that the shift from one-handed to two-handed grasping occurred at the same body-scale ratio between cube size and finger span for all three age groups. Evidence was found for the presence of a sudden jump, enhanced variance, multistability, and hysteresis, indicating that the body-scaled ratio of cube and hand size serves as a control parameter. No change with age for the stability properties of the grasping patterns were observed. q 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 33: 351–361, 1998
Suggestion on used Car Evaluation course teaching

Used Car Evaluation is a course to evaluate the status of used car, show its current technical condition, and evaluate its current value. With the development of auto industry, more emphasis should be put on used car evaluation teaching. This paper investigated the current status for this course. Based on characteristics analysis, reform strategy was proposed to improve the development of both this course and students ability. Strategy showed that course emphasis should be put on learning ability development, market and practice oriented teaching method, and teacher's ability improvement.