Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid Relaxed Planning Graph'LP Heuristic for Numeric Planning Domains

Effective search control for numeric planning domains, in which appropriate numeric resource usage is critical to solving the problem, remains an open challenge in domain-independent planning. Most real-world problems rely on metric resources such as energy, money, fuel or materials. Despite the importance of numbers, few heuristics have been proposed to guide search in such domains. Hoffmann's extended relaxation, implemented in Metric-FF, is one of the best general heuristics. We examine the behaviour of the Relaxed Planning Graph (RPG) heuristic, used by Metric-FF, in numeric problems. While effective in problems with simple numeric interactions, it has two weaknesses when numeric reasoning is a fundamental part of solving the problem. We present a new heuristic for use in strongly numeric domains, using a Linear Program to capture numeric constraints as an adjunct to a relaxed planning graph. We demonstrate that an intelligent combination of these two techniques offers greatly improved heuristic guidance.
BLOGRANK: Ranking on the blogosphere

the Blogosphere is part of the World Wide Web, weblogs present several features that differentiate them from traditional websites: the number of different editors, the multitude of topics, the connectivity among weblogs and bloggers, the update rate, and the importance of time in rating are some of them. Traditional search engines perform poorly on blogs since they do not cover these aspects. We propose an extension of Pagerank, which analyses and extends the link graph, in an attempt to exploit some of the weblog features. The analysis of the weblogs' link graph is based on the assumption that the visitor of a weblog tends to visit relevant or affiliated weblogs. Our algorithm, BlogRank, models the similarity between weblogs by incorporating information on common users, links and topics and generates a global ranking for all weblogs in a set. To validate our method we ran experiments on a weblog dataset, processed and adapted to our search engine: http://spiderwave.aueb. gr/blogwave Our experiments suggest that our algorithm enhances the quality of returned results.
The effect of adrenaline and noradrenaline on hepatic blood flow and splanchnic carbohydrate metabolism in man

The action of adrenaline and noradrenaline on the heart and peripheral circulation in man has been studied (Goldenberg, Pines, Baldwin, Greene & Roh, 1948; Barcroft & Konzett, 1949), but their effects on the hepaticG circulation are uncertain. Bradley (1946), using the hepatic vein catheterization technique, described, in a preliminary communication, an increase in hepatic blood flow with adrenaline. Grayson & Swan (1950) used changes in the temperature of the human colon as a qualitative index of blood flow and noted colonic vasoconstriction with both adrenaline and noradrenaline. In the present study not only have the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline on the hepatic blood flow been determined but also simultaneous changes in splanchnic carbohydrate metabolism.
Disparity between prostate tumor interior versus peripheral vasculature in response to verteporfin‐mediated vascular‐targeting therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a light‐based cancer treatment modality. Here we employed both in vivo and ex vivo fluorescence imaging to visualize vascular response and tumor cell survival after verteporfin‐mediated PDT designed to target tumor vasculature. EGFP‐MatLyLu prostate tumor cells, transduced with EGFP using lentivirus vectors, were implanted in athymic nude mice. Immediately after PDT with different doses of verteporfin, tumor‐bearing animals were injected with a fluorochrome‐labeled albumin. The extravasation of fluorescent albumin along with tumor EGFP fluorescence was monitored noninvasively with a whole‐body fluorescence imaging system. Ex vivo fluorescence microscopy was performed on frozen sections of tumor tissues taken at different times after treatment. Both in vivo and ex vivo imaging demonstrated that vascular‐targeting PDT with verteporfin significantly increased the extravasation of fluorochrome‐labeled albumin in the tumor tissue, especially in the tumor periphery. Although PDT induced substantial vascular shutdown in interior blood vessels, some peripheral tumor vessels were able to maintain perfusion function up to 24 hr after treatment. As a result, viable tumor cells were typically detected in the tumor periphery in spite of extensive tumor cell death. Our results demonstrate that vascular‐targeting PDT with verteporfin causes a dose‐ and time‐dependent increase in vascular permeability and decrease in blood perfusion. However, compared to the interior blood vessels, peripheral tumor blood vessels were found less sensitive to PDT‐induced vascular shutdown, which was associated with subsequent tumor recurrence in the tumor periphery. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring Design Space of 3 D NVM and eDRAM Caches Using DESTINY Tool

To enable the design of large sized caches, novel memory technologies (such as non-volatile memory) and novel fabrication approaches (e.g. 3D stacking) have been explored. The existing modeling tools, however, cover only few memory technologies, CMOS technology nodes and fabrication approaches. We present DESTINY, a tool for modeling 3D (and 2D) cache designs using SRAM, embedded DRAM (eDRAM), spin transfer torque RAM (STT-RAM), resistive RAM (ReRAM) and phase change RAM (PCM). DESTINY is very useful for performing design-space exploration across several dimensions, such as optimizing for a target (e.g. latency, area or energy-delay product) for a given memory technology, choosing the suitable memory technology or fabrication method (i.e. 2D v/s 3D) for a given optimization target etc. DESTINY has been validated against several cache prototypes. We believe that DESTINY will boost studies of next-generation memory architectures used in systems ranging from mobile devices to extreme-scale supercomputers. Keywords—Cache, SRAM, eDRAM, non-volatile memory (NVM or NVRAM), STT-RAM, ReRAM, PCM, modeling tool, emerging memory technologies, validation.
Negative Emotions as Risk Factors for Self-Directed Violence and Intimate Partner Violence in Chinese College Students

In this study, we examined the unique contributions of negative emotions (i.e., anger, depression, and shame) for two different types of self-directed violence (i.e., nonsuicidal self-injury [NSSI] and suicidality) and three different types of intimate partner violence perpetration (i.e., physical, sexual, and psychological violence) in a college sample. We investigated the moderating role of gender in any link between the negative emotions and the violent behaviors. We also examined an association between self-directed violence and intimate partner violence perpetration. We collected the survey data from a convenience sample of 752 Chinese college students (408 women and 344 men) ranging from 18 to 23 years of age. The questionnaires were filled out during class time. Analyses revealed that anger was associated with increased intimate partner physical, sexual, and psychological violence perpetration but not self-directed violence, underscoring its relevance for engaging in violence directed toward others. Our analyses also showed that, conversely, shame was associated with increased NSSI and suicidality but not intimate partner violence. Depression was associated with increased risk of engaging in self-directed violence as well as intimate partner physical and psychological violence. Moderation analysis showed that gender moderates the relationship of shame with NSSI. Women appear more susceptible to NSSI influenced by shame. Furthermore, the results found self-directed violence and intimate partner physical violence perpetration to be associated. The findings highlight the importance of targeting negative emotions in treatment with high-risk individuals. Integrated violence prevention programs would make it possible to treat co-occurring violence against self and intimate others in a more effective way.
Model-driven Development of Web Services and Hypertext Applications

This paper addresses the model-driven development of Web applications that integrate hypertextual navigation, content publishing and management, and interaction with remote Web Services. The proposed approach relies on an extension of the Web Modeling Language, a visual notation for the design of data-intensive Web applications, with primitives for capturing various forms of interaction with Web services, including one-way and request-response operations, asynchronous messaging, and long running conversations. The paper overviews some architectural issues raising from the integration of data-intensive Web applications and Web services.
Matrix regularization techniques for online multitask learning

*This article is free to read on the publisher's website* In this paper we examine the problem of prediction with expert advice in a setup where the learner is presented with a sequence of examples coming from different tasks. In order for the learner to be able to benefit from performing multiple tasks simultaneously, we make assumptions of task relatedness by constraining the comparator to use a lesser number of best experts than the number of tasks. We show how this corresponds naturally to learning under spectral or structural matrix constraints, and propose regularization techniques to enforce the constraints. The regularization techniques proposed here are interesting in their own right and multitask learning is just one application for the ideas. A theoretical analysis of one such regularizer is performed, and a regret bound that shows benefits of this setup is reported.
The Effects of Wearing High Heeled Shoes on Pedal Pressure in Women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of increased heel height in women's shoes on foot pressure during walking. An increase in heel height increased the maximum peak pressure under the metatarsal heads in the forefoot, decreased the time to maximum peak pressure under the metatarsal heads, and increased the rate of loading to the metatarsals during early support. The higher pressures noted with increased heel height were accompanied by a more uniform distribution of pressure beneath the forefoot. These findings may denote increased stress to the various tissues in the foot when walking in high heeled shoes, which may contribute to deleterious orthopaedic changes. Quantitative studies need to be conducted to determine whether orthopaedic changes occur with prolonged wearing of high heeled shoes.
Blind sequential symbol estimation of co-channel finite alphabet signals

A novel recursive equalizer is presented which is capable of removing multiuser interference and intersymbol interference due to several co-channel finite alphabet signals. The algorithm exploits the shift structure present in the data model and subspace relations between the observed array data and the symbol sequences. We show how the source sequences separate naturally so that they may be estimated independently of one another and, for many symbol alphabets common in digital communications, the symbol decisions can be made simply by computing a test statistic and comparing it to possibly multiple thresholds.
Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems ( PACIS ) 2014 HOW TO GOVERN YOUR GREEN IT ?-VALIDATING A CONTINGENCY THEORY BASED GOVERNANCE MODEL

Although practitioners have begun to implement Green IT into their companies, the governance of sustainable information systems varies significantly. Only little has been done to explain these differences in Green IT governance. Building upon contingency theory and IT governance, we develop a contingency model for Green IT governance which demonstrates the fit between contingencies and the company-specific configuration of Green IT. In the first step, three archetypes of Green IT governance reaching from centralized over federal to decentralized are presented. In the second step, we identify from literature eight contingency factors determining the ideal type of Green IT governance. The contingency model is validated by a questionnaire using factor and regression analysis With the enhanced understanding of how Green IT governance is shaped by contingency factors, organizations are able to select the most successful Green IT governance form.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Two Tertiary-Care Centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Objective: To review clinical experience with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in tertiary-care hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Design: Retrospective review for the year 1998. Setting: Two tertiary-care hospitals. Methods: Results of MRSA-positive cultures of clinical specimens obtained as part of investigations for suspected infections were retrieved from the microbiology laboratories' records. Charts of patients were reviewed, with standardized data collection. Results: Of 673 S aureus isolates identified, 222 (33%, or 6.8 isolates/1,000 admissions) were MRSA Overall MRSA prevalence was 2% in 1988. Nosocomial acquisition occurred in 84.2% of cases. All age groups were affected, and 52% of patients had at least one comorbidity. MRSA prevalence was highest in the intensive care units (26.6% of all isolates), the medical wards (24.8%), and the surgical wards (19.8%). Seventy-three percent of isolates caused infection; the rest represented colonization. Surgical wounds (35.2%), the chest (29%), and central venous catheters (13%) were the most common sites of infection. Bacteremia occurred in 15.4% of patients. Local signs (84%) and fever (75.9%) were the most common clinical manifestations. Respiratory distress and septic shock occurred in 30.2% and 13.6% of cases, respectively. Of 162 patients with MRSA infection and 60 patients with MRSA colonization, 95.7% and 70% received antibiotics in the preceding 6 weeks, respectively (P<.0001). The total mortality of patients with MRSA infection was 53.7%: 36.4% as a result of MRSA infection and 17.3% as a result of other causes. Conclusions: The prevalence of MRSA is high and rapidly increasing in the two hospitals, as it is worldwide. Control measures to prevent die spread of MRSA in hospitals should continue, with reinforcement of hygienic precautions and development of policies to restrict the use of antibiotics.
Short Signatures from Difficulty of Factorization Problem

New ways are proposed to design short signature schemes based on difficulty of factorizing a composite numbern that is a product of two large secret primes. The paper presents digital signature schemes in which the signature represents a pair of numbers (k,g) and its length is re- duced to 320 bits providing security of the RSA cryp- tosystem with 1024-bit modulus. factorizing the composite number n generated as product of two unknown large primes q and r. To reduce the signature length in the DSSes based on complexity of the factorization problem we use the randomization signature formation mechanism. The paper proposes designs with signature length 320 bits. In Section 2 we describe a new signature formation mechanism used to reduce the signature length and present several new DSSes based on the factorization problem, which provide reduction of the signature length. We show that security of the proposed DSSes can be formally proved using the approach (8) used earlier to provide security proof for Schnorr's DSS. In Section 3 we propose a "double exponentiation" function to design modified variants of the 320-bit DSSes and estimate their security. Section 4 presents conclusion of the paper. Notation:
Pharmaceutics : the science of dosage form design

Design of dosage forms. PART ONE SCIENTIFIC PRINICIPLES OF FORMULATION SCIENCE Solutions and their properties. Rheology and flow. Surface and interfacial phenomena. Solubility and dissolution rate. Disperse systems. Kinetics and product stability. PART TWO PARTICLE SCIENCE AND POWDER TECHNOLOGY Solid-state properties of powders. Particle size analysis. Particle size reduction. Particle size separation. Mixing. Powder flow. PART THREE BIOPHARMACEUTICS PRINCIPLES OF DRUG DELIVERY Introduction to Biopharmaceutics. Factors influencing bioavailability. Assessment of bioavailability. Dosage Regimens. Sustained and extended release. PART FOUR DOSAGE FORM DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE Preformulation. Solutions, Suspensions and Emulsions. Filtration. Powders and granules. Granulation. Drying. Tablets and compaction. Tablet coating. Capsules and encapsulation. Pulmonary drug delivery. Nasal delivery. Rectal and vaginal delivery. Parenteral products. Transdermal drug delivery. Delivery of proteins/biotech products. Packs and packaging. Materials of fabrication and corrosion. Heat transfer and the properties of steam. PART FIVE PHARMACEUTICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND STERILIZATION Fundamentals of microbiology. The action of physical and chemical agents on micro-organisms. Microbiological contamination and preservation. Principles of sterilization. Sterilization practice. Design and operation of clean rooms.
Study of different shape Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structures for single and dual band applications

In this paper, single and dual band EBG structures for wider bandwidth are proposed. In each of the discussed EBGs, a metallic patch of regular geometry is chosen for the unit element. The patch is further modified by cutting slots to get extra inductance and capacitance which results into lower cut-off frequency and larger bandwidth. The proposed EBG structures are compared with the standard mushroom type EBG with respect to surface wave attenuation. The -20 dB cut-off frequencies and bandwidths of the various EBGs are compared. The effect of unit element size, gap between unit elements and via diameter on the transmission response is presented. Among the discussed EBGs, the swastika type structure is compact, single band and has wider bandwidth. The square patch with a single disconnected loop type slot EBG and the Fractal EBG are dual band. While square patch is more compact, the fractal EBG has wider bandwidth. All the EBGs can be useful in the design of antenna and other microwave circuits.
Evaluating discovered rules from association rules mining based on interestingness measures using fuzzy expert system

Association rule mining is one of the popular pattern discovery methods in Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD). In this regard, all the obtained results from association rules are not useful and do not have same values. The aim of this paper is evaluating the extracted rules from data mining for bank credit customers. Here, a Fuzzy Expert System has been designed with considering interestingness measures as Input variables and Interestingness Rule level as output. Then, the system has been developed with the use of FIS tool of MATLAB software. This system is able to assess all the results of association rules according to the situation of each criterion. Finally, the presented steps have been run in an Iranian Bank as empirical study.
Move code refactoring with dynamic analysis

In order to reduce coupling and increase cohesion, we refactor program source code. Previous research efforts for suggesting candidates of such refactorings are based on static analysis, which obtains relations among classes or methods from source code. However, these approaches cannot obtain runtime information such as repetition count of loop, dynamic dispatch and actual execution path. Therefore, previous approaches might miss some refactoring opportunities. To tackle this problem, we propose a technique to find refactoring candidates by analyzing method traces. We have implemented a prototype tool based on the proposed technique and evaluated the technique on two software systems. As a result, we confirmed that the proposed technique could detect some refactoring candidates, which increase code quality.
Robustness of skeletons and salient features in networks

Real world network datasets often contain a wealth of complex topological information. In the face of these data, researchers often employ methods to extract reduced networks containing the most important structures or pathways, sometimes known as `skeletons' or `backbones'. Numerous such methods have been developed. Yet data are often noisy or incomplete, with unknown numbers of missing or spurious links. Relatively little effort has gone into understanding how salient network extraction methods perform in the face of noisy or incomplete networks. We study this problem by comparing how the salient features extracted by two popular methods change when networks are perturbed, either by deleting nodes or links, or by randomly rewiring links. Our results indicate that simple, global statistics for skeletons can be accurately inferred even for noisy and incomplete network data, but it is crucial to have complete, reliable data to use the exact topologies of skeletons or backbones. These results also help us understand how skeletons respond to damage to the network itself, as in an attack scenario.
Microstructural Evolution of Ti-10NB and Ti-15NB Alloys Produced by the Blended Elemental Technique

Alfa/beta titanium alloys have been intensely used for aerospace and biomedical applications. Production of powder metallurgy titanium alloys components may lead to a reduction in the cost of parts, compared to those produced by conventional cast and wrought (ingot metallurgy) processes, because additional working operations (machining, turning, milling, etc.) and material waste can be avoided. In this work, samples of Ti- 10, 15Nb (weight%) alloys were obtained by the blended elemental technique using hydride-dehydride (HDH) powders as raw material, followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by sintering carried out in the range 900–1500 °C. These alloys were characterized by X-ray diffractometry for phase composition, scanning electron microscopy for microstructure, Vickers indentation for hardness, Archimedes method for specific mass and resonance ultrasound device for elastic modulus. For the samples sintered at 1500°C it was identified  and  phases. It was observed the influence of the sintering temperatures on the final microstructure. With increasing sintering temperature, microstructure homogenization of the alloy takes place and at 1500 °C this process is complete. The same behavior is observed for densification. Comparing to the Ti6Al4V alloy properties, these alloys hardness (sintered at 1500 °C) are near and elastic modulus are 18% less.